Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40985082›Full record

ArticleJournal of pathology and translational medicine2025

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 and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of pathology and translational medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Validation of Digital Cytology for Primary Diagnosis Across a Range of Specimen Types.Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Yosep ChongDepartment of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Hyeong Ju KwonDepartment of Pathology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Soon Auck HongDepartment of Pathology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Soon KimDepartment of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
Bo-Sung KimDepartment of Pathology, Green Cross Laboratories, Yongin, Korea.
Younghee ChoiDepartment of Pathology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Korea.
Yoon Jung ChoiDepartment of Pathology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Korea.
Jung-Soo PyoDepartment of Pathology, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ji Yun JeongDepartment of Pathology, Seegene Medical Foundation, Daegu Gyeongbuk Laboratory, Daegu, Korea.
Soo Jin JungDepartment of Pathology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
Hoon Kyu OhDepartment of Pathology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Seung-Sook LeeDepartment of Pathology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.

Funding

Ministry of Science and ICT RS-2021-NR059550National Research Foundation of Korea 2021R1A2C2013630The Korean Society for Cytopathology 24-01
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDigital 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.

methodsThis 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.

resultsParticipation 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.

conclusionsDC 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.

Indexed as

CytologyImage interpretation, computer-assistedMicroscopy, computer-assistedProficiency testingQuality assuranceQuality controlSample adequacy testing

Identifiers

PMID40985082
PMCPMC12455406

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.