Five-Year Breast Surgeon Experience in LYMPHA at Time of ALND for Treatment of Clinical T1–4N1–3M0 Breast Cancer

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a source of postoperative morbidity for breast cancer survivors. Lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach...     

A whole-slide imaging based workflow reduces the reading time of pathologists

Even though entirely digitized microscopic tissue sections (whole slide images, WSIs) are increasingly being used in histopathology diagnostics, little data is still available on the effect of this technique on pathologists' reading time. This study aimed to compare the time required to perform the microscopic assessment by pathologists between a conventional workflow (an optical microscope) and digitized WSIs. WSI was used in primary diagnostics at the Laboratory for Pathology Eastern Netherlands for several years (LabPON, Hengelo, The Netherlands). Cases were read either in a traditional workflow, with the pathologist recording the time required for diagnostics and reporting, or entirely digitally. Reading times were extracted from image management system log files, and the digitized workflow was fully integrated into the laboratory information system. The digital workflow saved time in the majority of case categories, with prostate biopsies saving the most (68% time gain). Taking into account case distribution, the digital workflow produced an average gain of 12.3%. Using WSI instead of conventional microscopy significantly reduces pathologists' reading times. Pathologists must work in a fully integrated environment to fully reap the benefits of a digital workflow.     

Evaluation of a peer‐led self‐management education programme PEP Talk: Diabetes,Healthy Feet and You

PEP (Peer Education Programme) Talk: Diabetes, Healthy Feet and You is a peer‐led self‐management programme developed to address the problems of growing prevalence of diabetes and its complications, and limited health care dollars. An evaluation of the programme, how it might be situated within a public health perspective and potential bridges for its implementation in communities throughout Canada and worldwide, are presented. The programme consisted of workshops that were conducted by volunteer peer leaders and health care professionals in 12 communities in 10 Canadian provinces; the volunteers were supported through monthly mentoring teleconferences, on‐line tips and discussion board conversations. A web portal was developed to be used by the team, volunteers and community participants. Workshop curriculum was developed based on diabetes footcare and self‐management best practise guidelines. Community participants answered pre‐and post‐workshop statements that indicated that learning occurred, as indicated by an increase in the number of statements answered correctly. Participants' feedback about the workshops was positive. In telephone follow‐up interviews, 97% of respondents reported having changed their foot self‐management behaviours. The portal was commonly used according to website visits, but not as much as expected for registration of community participants. It is recommended that this programme be made widely available and tailored to the specific needs of the communities and that further evaluation be conducted.