Digital Pathology – Implementation Challenges in Low-Resource Countries

Background : Medical education in pathology and histology in low-resource countries face many obstacles because of equipment cost and telecommunication deficiencies. Digital Pathology may provide solutions. We report student experience to virtual slides on a local network and a remote image server. Methods : Using an iPad tablet device, fifty 3rd and 4th year medical students viewed digital pathology slides from a Web server at the National Library of Medicine and a mirror server on the local network. Results : The quality of images from both servers was found to be satisfactory, but the local server was deemed faster and preferred by the participants in this study ( p < 0.005). Conclusions : Virtual slides on a local network server may provide solutions to equipment and technical obstacles and could enhance student learning in developing countries.