Telepathology

More and more services in telemedicine have become realizable these days. One of the most promising, but also challenging fields in this context is telepathology. One of the first publications of this new field appeared in 1987 and until today a variety of modifications has developed, including those with a simple offline transmission of images for second opinion or educational purposes, applications with interactive discussion facilities on transmitted images, and finally online telemicroscopy to render full diagnoses in pathology from a distance. The optimal time for a medical consultation using telepathology is usually within one hour. Such fastest diagnosis insures an early initiation of specific therapy in the patient. But in regard for telepathology it should be especially noted, that this modern tool is not limited by second opinion. Telepathology will serve various processes among which is training of health workers and professionals. Introduction of telepathology in developing countries is the real and effective possibility of improvement of public health services.

Georgia is now tried to enter and become the member of worldwide grid of telepathology. On December 18, 2003 the first case was diagnosed by use of telepathology. This was the first step of Georgia in the field of telepathology, which uncovers the short-comings of pathology service in Georgia and has shown that telemedicine and its part telepathology has a great potential in developing countries.