title: WHO classification 2008 of myeloproliferative neoplasms: a workshop learning effect--the Danish experience.
abstract: We examined the learning effect of a workshop for Danish hematopathologists led by an international expert regarding histological subtyping of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Six hematopathologists evaluated 43 bone marrow (BM) biopsies according to the WHO description (2008), blinded to clinical data. All panelists then participated in the workshop. The case biopsies - mixed with 251 other MPN BM biopsies - were reviewed again. Consensus regarding the histological subtype was significantly improved; from 49% to 72% (Fleiss kappa value 0.302 pre-workshop, 0.474 post-workshop; p = 0.004). There was no significant effect on the isolated morphological characteristics. Agreement between cases with histological consensus and clinical diagnosis was 86% without significant change during workshop sessions. Our study demonstrates that experienced hematopathologists can significantly improve their diagnostic ability by a workshop led by an international expert; not by improving the evaluation of individual histological parameters but by weighting these in their conclusive diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Naestved and Slagelse Hospitals, Naestved, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ann B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Madelung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Naestved and Slagelse Hospitals, Naestved, Denmark.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Naestved and Slagelse Hospitals, Naestved, Denmark.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Roskilde and Køge Hospitals, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Preben
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Løvgreen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Signe L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falensteen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kira D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Svendsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Theis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ralfkiaer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Naestved and Slagelse Hospitals, Naestved, Denmark.
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Roskilde and Køge Hospitals, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasselbalch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thiele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Learning effect; interobserver agreement; multiheaded microscope; myeloproliferative neoplasms; workshop