TELEPATHOLOGY - A TOOL TO AID IN DIAGNOSIS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN CERVICOVAGINAL CYTOLOGY

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a Teletransmission System with regard to quality of diagnosis and screening so as to est ablish its potential role in gynaecological cytology. Three aspects of its use in cytopathology have been considered: diagnosis, training, a nd quality control. The circumstances in which the system may be used for diagnosis, together with its advantages and disadvantages, are exa mined and discussed. In general, the cost/benefit in diagnostic use re lated to the experience of both the expert and the peripheral patholog ist. The system may also contribute to training and quality assessment , particularly if combined with other automated services, such as an i mage data bank.