Established in 2008, this center consists of a teaching lab in the surgical Unit II, Holy Family Hospital and a remote consulting unit at THQ hospital, Pindi Gheb. The center carries a high bandwidth telecommunication link with Collaborating institutions in USA: the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research center (TATRC), Fort Detrick. The teaching staff has been trained locally as well as at telemedicine centers in the US. Furthermore, the US-based collaborating institutes have participated in the development of the telemedicine training manual for the lab, and experts from these institutions are also involved in teaching sessions through videoconferencing. At the end of training, they will visit Pakistan to interact with trainees.
The center itself is specifically designed for telemedicine training and includes computer workstations, telemedicine peripherals like derma-scopes and e-scopes, and other equipment. The center also carries a high bandwidth connectivity and videoconferencing. Furthermore, a wireless local area network links the operation theaters, outpatients department, wards and demonstration rooms within the department with the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, Pindi Gheb. Tele-consultations are provided free to the patient.
The entire training program is carried out over a four-week period. The curriculum is unique and is the first of its kind to be designed specially for the doctors and paramedics of Pakistan, keeping in view the medical and IT scenario of the country. This training program is categorized into three training modules:Computer Training, Telemedicine Training, Hands on Training. The supporting training manual covers all areas of IT training, including basic computer training, telemedicine software and tele-consultations methodologies, among others. The progress of trainees is monitored through log books assigned for each trainee.
