title: The history of pathology informatics: A global perspective.
abstract: Pathology informatics has evolved to varying levels around the world. The history of pathology informatics in different countries is a tale with many dimensions. At first glance, it is the familiar story of individuals solving problems that arise in their clinical practice to enhance efficiency, better manage (e.g., digitize) laboratory information, as well as exploit emerging information technologies. Under the surface, however, lie powerful resource, regulatory, and societal forces that helped shape our discipline into what it is today. In this monograph, for the first time in the history of our discipline, we collectively perform a global review of the field of pathology informatics. In doing so, we illustrate how general far-reaching trends such as the advent of computers, the Internet and digital imaging have affected pathology informatics in the world at large. Major drivers in the field included the need for pathologists to comply with national standards for health information technology and telepathology applications to meet the scarcity of pathology services and trained people in certain countries. Following trials by a multitude of investigators, not all of them successful, it is apparent that innovation alone did not assure the success of many informatics tools and solutions. Common, ongoing barriers to the widespread adoption of informatics devices include poor information technology infrastructure in undeveloped areas, the cost of technology, and regulatory issues. This review offers a deeper understanding of how pathology informatics historically developed and provides insights into what the promising future might hold.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Seung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Anil V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Parwani
authors.forename: Raymond D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Aller
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Banach
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Becich
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borkenfeld
authors.forename: Alexis B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Marcial Garcia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rojo
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: Gian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Legg
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naugler
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawai
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Winsten
authors.forename: Liron
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pantanowitz
keywords: History; clinical informatics; electronic medical record; laboratory information systems; pathology education; pathology informatics