Taking "Cellfies": Blood Morphology in the Era of Smartphones

Author:

Fountzilas Christos1,Le Isabelle1,Mazo-Canola Marcela1,Bowhay-Carnes Elizabeth1,Karnad Anand1

Affiliation:

1. University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

Abstract

Abstract Background: Microscopic examination of blood and marrow smears by hematologists is an essential clinical skill at risk of extinction in this high-tech era. This skill is on the decline being replaced by the reliance on flow cytometry, FISH, and molecular diagnostics. Five years ago, we observed that photographs of the oil-immersion field (OIF) in focus could be taken by positioning the smartphone camera lens close to either eyepiece. The captured image could be viewed on the smartphone, swiped to view detail, stored, and shared. We coined the term "Cellfie" for this smartphone image of the OIF. Cellfies can be taken with any smartphone at any microscope, with most learners taking a few minutes for their first Cellfie, and experts able to take Cellfies in a few seconds. Since 2012, we have taught fellows to use Cellfies at the microscope in the hospital and in clinic, and we present the experience of our hematology fellows using Cellfies. Methods: We surveyed past and current hematology fellows (Class of 2015-to Class of 2019) regarding their experience with Cellfies. Results: Nineteen of the twenty fellows invited to participate in the survey responded (95%). Two were PGY IV, 4 were PGY V, and 6 were PGY-VI. Four were fellows who graduated and in practice for one year (3 fellows did not provide level of training). Fifteen of 19 fellows (79%) had taken a Cellfie at some point during their training. Five took <10 Cellfies, 4 took 10-20 Cellfies, and one fellow had taken 50 or more Cellfies. Eight (53%) fellows rated the technique as 'easy', and 6 as 'difficult' (40%); one patient found the technique 'very difficult'. Cellfies were commonly used for consultation (80% of responders) and morphology teaching or use in conferences (67%). Only 2 responders had ever used Cellfies to paste in the electronic medical record (EMR). Overall, 80% of the responders thought Cellfies as a very useful tool in their everyday hematology practice. Conclusion: Cellfie use by hematology fellows has resurrected this essential clinical skill of expertise in blood morphology. We have found a way to rekindle a passion for morphology and renew enthusiasm amongst hematology fellows, residents, and students to use information from microscopy as an essential component of their clinical skills. Taking and sharing Cellfies has the potential to put microscope skills back at the bedside, enable rapid diagnosis and treatment, shorten time to intervention in emergencies (acute promyelocytic leukemia, microangiopathy syndromes for example), expedite consultation after-hours and weekends, improve the quality of documentation in EMRs, create a portfolio of stored images for review, and teaching, and enhance patient-care. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Publisher

American Society of Hematology

Subject

Cell Biology,Hematology,Immunology,Biochemistry

Cited by 1 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3