Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Articles

National quality assurance program using digital cytopathology: a 5-year digital transformation experience by the Korean Society for Cytopathology: Yosep Chong, Hyeong Ju Kwon, Soon Auck Hong, Sung Soon Kim, Bo-Sung Kim, Younghee Choi, Yoon Jung Choi, Jung-Soo Pyo, Ji Yun Jeong, Soo Jin Jung, Hoon Kyu Oh, Seung-Sook Lee; J Pathol Transl Med. 2025;59(5):320-333. Published online September 15, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2025.06.27

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Background
Digital cytopathology (DC) is emerging as a transformative approach in quality assurance programs (QAP), though its comprehensive evaluation remains limited. Since 2020, the Korean Society for Cytopathology has progressively incorporated DC into its national QAP, including digital proficiency testing (PT), sample adequacy testing (SAT), a customizable PT module, and a self-assessment module (SAM), aiming for full digital implementation by 2026. Methods: This 5-year study assessed diagnostic concordance between conventional and digital PT formats and analyzed participant feedback on service quality and digital image usability across PT, SAT, and SAM. Parallel testing was conducted during the transitional phase, and satisfaction was measured through structured surveys. Results: Participation in digital PT increased from 48 institutions in 2020 to 93 in 2024, while digital SAT participation rose from 29 to 71 between 2022 and 2024. In 2023, 56 institutions joined SAM. Diagnostic concordance rates were comparable between digital and conventional PTs (78.6%–84.6% vs. 82.0%–85.1%), including similar category C (major discordance) rates. Satisfaction with digital PT services and image quality exceeded 85%, and over 90% of institutions reported positive feedback on SAT and SAM. Over 80% were satisfied with the customizable PT module. Conclusions: DC is a reliable and effective modality for cytopathology QAP. It demonstrates diagnostic equivalence to conventional methods and high user satisfaction, supporting its broader implementation in national quality assurance frameworks.

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Practice of Cytopathology in Korea: A 40‐Year Evolution Through Standardization, Digital Transformation, and Global Partnership
Yosep Chong, Ran Hong, Hyeong Ju Kwon, Haeryoung Kim, Lucia Kim, Soon Jae Kim, Yoon Jung Choi
Diagnostic Cytopathology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Development of quality assurance program for digital pathology by the Korean Society of Pathologists: Yosep Chong, Jeong Mo Bae, Dong Wook Kang, Gwangil Kim, Hye Seung Han; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(6):370-382. Published online November 15, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.09.30

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
Digital pathology (DP) using whole slide imaging is a recently emerging game changer technology that can fundamentally change the way of working in pathology. The Digital Pathology Study Group (DPSG) of the Korean Society of Pathologists (KSP) published a consensus report on the recommendations for pathologic practice using DP. Accordingly, the need for the development and implementation of a quality assurance program (QAP) for DP has been raised.
Methods
To provide a standard baseline reference for internal and external QAP for DP, the members of the Committee of Quality Assurance of the KSP developed a checklist for the Redbook and a QAP trial for DP based on the prior DPSG consensus report. Four leading institutes participated in the QAP trial in the first year, and we gathered feedback from these institutes afterwards.
Results
The newly developed checklists of QAP for DP contain 39 items (216 score): eight items for quality control of DP systems; three for DP personnel; nine for hardware and software requirements for DP systems; 15 for validation, operation, and management of DP systems; and four for data security and personal information protection. Most participants in the QAP trial replied that continuous education on unfamiliar terminology and more practical experience is demanding.
Conclusions
The QAP for DP is essential for the safe implementation of DP in pathologic practice. Each laboratory should prepare an institutional QAP according to this checklist, and consecutive revision of the checklist with feedback from the QAP trial for DP needs to follow.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

An equivalency and efficiency study for one year digital pathology for clinical routine diagnostics in an accredited tertiary academic center
Viola Iwuajoku, Kübra Ekici, Anette Haas, Mohammed Zaid Khan, Azar Kazemi, Atsuko Kasajima, Claire Delbridge, Alexander Muckenhuber, Elisa Schmoeckel, Fabian Stögbauer, Christine Bollwein, Kristina Schwamborn, Katja Steiger, Carolin Mogler, Peter J. Schüf
Virchows Archiv.2025; 487(1): 3. CrossRef
Quality Assurance of the Whole Slide Image Evaluation in Digital Pathology: State of the Art and Development Results
Miklós Vincze, Béla Molnár, Miklós Kozlovszky
Electronics.2025; 14(10): 1943. CrossRef
Integration of Digital Cytology in Quality Assurance Programs for Cytopathology
Yosep Chong, Maria Jesús Fernández Aceñero, Zaibo Li, Andrey Bychkov
Acta Cytologica.2025; : 1. CrossRef
Diagnostic proficiency test using digital cytopathology and comparative assessment of whole slide images of cytologic samples for quality assurance program in Korea
Yosep Chong, Soon Auck Hong, Hoon Kyu Oh, Soo Jin Jung, Bo-Sung Kim, Ji Yun Jeong, Ho-Chang Lee, Gyungyub Gong
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine.2023; 57(5): 251. CrossRef

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