The prestigious Stanford Medical Centre in San Francisco has entered into an educational teleconferencing relationship with Jaslok hospital under which top doctors and experts from this US medical institution would impart latest education to those from this Mumbai hospital.

"Indian doctors will benefit significantly as it will obviate the need for travel to the US, to learn newer techniques and receive ongoing education from the experts at Stanford," said Dr Mukesh Hariawala, a Boston based eminent Indian-American Cardiac Surgeon, who worked behind this initiative.

"This enhanced learning platform will be of eventual benefit to Indian patients who may not have to travel overseas for complex procedures as Indian doctors can receive the guidance during case study discussions and live surgery broadcasts and assistance," said Dr Hariawala, who is also a visiting honorary Cardiac Surgeon at Jaslok Hospital and Director of its International Programmes.

Jaslok has extended invitations to attend these teleconferencing events to all doctors from major hospitals in Mumbai, and they also stand to benefit by this Indo-US relationship, he said.

It is also expected that some hospitals may augment their individual Teaching and Continued Medical Education programmes by forming individual alliances with Stanford and other major US institutions who offer similar teleconferencing educational services in the healthcare arena, he said.

Besides the teleconferencing, Dr Hariawala said multi specialty exchanges have been planned on a monthly basis with both sides sharing equal teaching responsibilities.

It is expected that US doctors would also learn a lot from the Indian experience of different medical conditions that are prevalent in the Indian sub-continent but absent in the US.

The memorandum in this regard was signed on March 29 this year between Dr Yann Meunier of the Stanford and Dr Salil Mohanty from Jaslok.

The inaugural live teleconferencing event was held on June 1, 2011 which used "VOIP" which is an internet based technology that allows for seamless transmission of voice and video live.

Dr Matthew Mell from Stanford presented on "AAA" Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms which is a serious surgical condition that affects many Indians and that is treated at Jaslok hospital by its doctors.
"The enhanced learning experiences and cutting edge knowledge received by Indian doctors will translate into them offering the best therapeutic options to their Indian patients. This can be perceived as a significant help to patients by this relationship," Dr Hariawala said.