Usefulness of WhatsApp for Discussing Difficult Cases in Pathology Practice: A Moroccan Experience

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of the study was to evaluate whether the WhatsApp application can be used for obtaining a quick second opinion onhistopathological and cytological diagnosis and also for discussing difficult cases in pathology practice.Material and Method: A WhatsApp group named “FESPATH” was created with total of 17 pathologists (the authors of this manuscript as groupadministrators and 15 general pathologists from 7 different cities in Morocco, working in 12 different institutions as members). The group wasused to discuss difficult routine sign out cases, to obtain a second opinion. Pathology-related academic files, books and links were also shared.At the end of 20 months, members were asked to complete a feedback questionnaire.Results: Over a 20-month period, 86 cases were discussed with 515 posted pictures. 78 cases were related to histopathology, and 8 cases tocytopathology. Twenty-one links regarding educational materials and books were also shared. A total of 14 participants out of 17 were activeparticipants, and the majority of them found the discussions very useful for overcoming challenging cases.Conclusion: Sharing microphotographs of histopathological or cytological cases via WhatsApp is a very easy and fast method to obtain a secondopinion in pathology practice and also to discuss difficult cases.