Melanocytic Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis (MPATH-Dx) Tutorial

Description

The Melanocytic Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis (MPATH-Dx) Tutorial is a 30-minute online education tool to showcase the MPATH-Dx schema and its associated classifications (Class I -benign through Class V -invasive melanoma), including instructions on how to map diagnostic interpretations into these classes, followed by case examples and exercises to ensure understanding. Capsule Summary: • The value of a tool to provide standardized classification of the currently diverse pathology terminology for melanocytic skin lesions, in order to facilitate management, is recognized by dermatopathologists. • With a simple tutorial, dermatopathologists can confidently and correctly apply the MPATH-Dx schema to improve communication and patient care. Refer to Reisch, et al. "Implementing the Melanocytic Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis (MPATH-Dx): Long Term Effect of a Simple Educational Intervention," JAAD International (2023): Background: A standardized pathology management tool for melanocytic skin lesions may improve patient care by simplifying interpretation and categorization of the diverse terminology currently extant. Objective: An online educational intervention teaching dermatopathologists to use the MPATH-Dx schema collapsing multiple diagnostic terms into 5 classes ranging from benign to invasive melanoma. Methods: Practicing U.S. dermatopathologists in a 2-year educational intervention study involving a brief tutorial followed by practice on melanocytic lesions, with the goal of teaching pathologists how to correctly use the MPATH-Dx schema; competence using the MPATH-Dx tool 12-24 months post-intervention was assessed. Results: At pre-intervention, confidence using the MPATH-Dx tool was high despite lacking prior familiarity, and confidence increased post-intervention. During the intervention, participants used the MPATH-Dx tool correctly for 90% of their interpretations; at post-intervention, participants used the MPATH-Dx tool correctly for 88% of their interpretations. Limitations: Future research should examine implementing a standardized pathology assessment schema in actual clinical practice. Conclusions: Dermatopathologists can be taught to confidently and competently use the MPATH-Dx schema with a simple educational tutorial followed by practice. Key words: Dermatopathology; melanocytic skin lesions; continuing medical education; intervention study; standardized histology schema Funding sources: Supported by the National Cancer Institute (R01 CA201376 and R01 CA151306). The funding agency had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the article for publication. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Conflict of Interest: None disclosed.

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