Abstract B061: Bridging the gap in inequality in timely cancer diagnosis: GLORIA network Colombia
Authors: Guerron-Gomez Gabriela , Restrepo-Guarnizo Maria C. , Mosquera-Zamudio Andres , Mendoza Oscar , Sprockel John J. , Gomez Arley , Olarte Suarez Laura D. , Vargas Merideidy Plazas , Parra-Medina Rafael , Gomez-Suarez Marcela 
Published: September 2024

Introduction: In Latin American countries, survival rates for highly malignant tumors show disparities in access to diagnosis and treatment between small and big cities. Colombia is an example where the rate of pathologists is 0.88 per 100,000 inhabitants. Oncopathologists are predominantly situated in major cities, being a minimal percentage of this specialty. Whole slide imaging (WSI) technology can be used to mitigate disparities by facilitating diagnostic support for less-experienced pathologists in distant locations from expert centers. Telepathology brings a solution in bridging these gaps, enabling connectivity and facilitating timely diagnoses and treatments. To achieve this goal, a Colombian research group developed the GLORIA Colombia Network, which will provide WSI scanners and a telepathology network in small cities connecting them to an expert central laboratory. This will facilitate decision-making for oncopathological diagnoses. We aim to show a preliminary phase of the project; knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general pathologists operating the scanners are explored to delve into fears and expectations so that an introduction of this technology can be made. Methods:Introductory phase consisted of a semi-structured survey piloted by the research group and conducted via Google Forms for general pathology laboratories in Colombia, through the network ASOCOLPAT (Colombian pathologist association). There were 23 close questions related to context recognition, and an open question to explore qualitative aspects related to telepathology. ResultsA total of 51 responses from general pathologists were obtained, 100% stated they had needed assistance of a subspecialist in high complexity cases; 47% noted soft tissue tumors were challenging diagnoses, 35.2% affirmed hematological tumors were also challenging. The 25.5% reported stress high levels in complex diagnoses. 64% reported 1-10 complex cases/month in capital cities. The most frequently requested type of tumor for consultation was lymph nodes (21.3%), followed by melanocytic tumors (23.5%). Furthermore, 27.4% stated the response time for interconsultation ranged from one week to one month. Additionally, 79.2% of pathologists attempt to diagnose the case themselves, but if unable to do so, they refer it to a specialist. The open question revealed doubts about general pathologists' roles, and their feeling of undervalue compared to subspecialists. This question highlighted the need for training, and telepathology emerged as an alternative to facilitate communication between general pathologists and subspecialists. Emphasizing the importance lies in improving diagnostic times, which affects patients’ quality of life. Conclusion GLORIA network, bridges healthcare gaps by connecting general pathologists with specialists, enabling faster and accurate diagnoses. This initiative reduces stress, offers training, and improves diagnostic reliability, benefiting patients in remote areas with complex malignant tumors.

Citation Format: Gabriela Guerron-Gomez, Maria C. Restrepo-Guarnizo, Andres Mosquera-Zamudio, Oscar Mendoza, John J. Sprockel, Arley Gomez, Laura D. Olarte Suarez, Merideidy Plazas Vargas, Rafael Parra-Medina, Marcela Gomez-Suarez. Bridging the gap in inequality in timely cancer diagnosis: GLORIA network Colombia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B061.