Clinical laboratories and pathology groups expect growing cancer caseloads and workforce shortages to accelerate the adoption of digital pathology, remote slide reading and comprehensive genomic profiling, according to a new Labcorp survey.
For its 2026 Pulse of the Pathologist report, Labcorp surveyed 148 practicing US pathologists working in community hospitals, group practices and academic medical centers. The company supplemented the findings with interviews and market analysis.
Many also expect multicancer early detection, molecular residual disease testing, and liquid biopsy to generate additional pathology volume. By moving patients into the diagnostic pathway earlier, these technologies may create more demand for follow-up testing, interpretation, and clinical consultation.
“Our caseload keeps increasing, and earlier detection means we’re involved much sooner,” one senior community hospital pathologist told Labcorp. “It brings additional follow-up work that wasn’t part of the workflow a few years ago.”
Digital pathology viewed as workforce solution
To manage rising workloads, 59% of pathologists identified digital pathology as the most impactful response to workforce shortages. Another 49% pointed to remote slide reading as an important way to expand diagnostic capacity.
Interest varied by age. Digital pathology adoption was highest among pathologists ages 35 to 44, while interest in remote slide reading increased among older respondents.
Artificial intelligence adoption remains more cautious.
Pathologists reported the greatest use of AI in lower-risk functions such as archiving, indexing, quantification, and scoring. Few laboratories currently use the technology for primary diagnosis or second opinions.
Cost remains a substantial obstacle: 66% identified the expense of AI without reimbursement as a leading adoption barrier, while 57% cited capital costs. Data storage, access to quality equipment, and liability concerns also influenced adoption decisions.
Meanwhile, cancer-testing portfolios are expected to shift away from targeted single-gene assays and toward broader genomic profiling. Sixty-six percent of respondents anticipate that comprehensive profiling will account for at least 75% of their testing portfolios within three years, compared with 55% today.
Reimbursement pressures could complicate that transition.
Overall, 44% expect Protecting Access to Medicare Act-related changes to significantly affect laboratory operations, including 63% of group-practice respondents.
Though not addressed in the report, the RESULTS Act is being promoted in Congress as a potential way to prevent PAMA-related laboratory payment cuts—a development relevant to Dark Daily readers.
The findings suggest clinical laboratories see digital workflows and advanced molecular testing as necessary for meeting future demand. However, reimbursement uncertainty may continue to delay the investments required to implement them.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
