Dissecting the Business Case for Adoption and Implementation of Digital Pathology: A White Paper from the Digital Pathology Association

TLDR

Digital pathology adoption is imminent and will disrupt laboratory operations with upfront equipment and personnel costs, while offering long‑term revenue gains through improved productivity, novel tests, and enhanced patient access to expert services and image‑analysis tools that support diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decisions. This whitepaper serves as a foundational guide for pathologists, laboratorians, and other stakeholders to evaluate the business and monetary aspects of converting to digital pathology, outlining a DP business plan, a roadmap for transition, and guidance for thorough assessment using current market pricing. The authors compiled peer‑reviewed literature and institutional data to summarize the components of a digital pathology business plan, providing step‑by‑step guidance for building a conversion case and implementing a transition roadmap across laboratory settings. The publication does not provide price listings, only example financials.

Abstract

We believe the switch to a digital pathology (DP) workflow is imminent and it is essential to understand the economic implications of conversion. Many aspects of the adoption of DP will be disruptive and have a direct financial impact, both in short term costs, such as investment in equipment and personnel, and long term revenue potential, such as improved productivity and novel tests. The focus of this whitepaper is to educate pathologists, laboratorians and other stakeholders about the business and monetary considerations of converting to a digital pathology workflow. The components of a DP business plan will be thoroughly summarized, and guidance will be provided on how to build a case for adoption and implementation as well as a roadmap for transitioning from an analog to a digital pathology workflow in various laboratory settings. It is important to clarify that this publication is not intended to list prices although some financials will be mentioned as examples. The authors encourage readers who are evaluating conversion to a DP workflow to use this paper as a foundational guide for conducting a thorough and complete assessment while incorporating in current market pricing. Contributors to this paper analyzed peer-reviewed literature and data collected from various institutions, some of which are mentioned. Digital pathology will change the way we practice through facilitating patient access to expert pathology services and enabling image analysis tools and assays to aid in diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification and therapeutic selection. Together, they will result in the delivery of valuable information from which to make better decisions and improve the health of patients.