October 25, 2001

Contact:
Debbie Neufert
Media Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 74772

New Virtual Learning Tool Makes Canadian Debut at London Hospitals

(LONDON, Ontario) - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), and St. Joseph's Health Care, London (SJHC) are the first hospitals in Canada to offer an innovative tool that will benefit doctors and residents in patient care, research and education. Stanford SKOLAR MD, a web-based knowledge service specifically for the medical community and developed at Stanford University, made its Canadian debut today at an official launch held by both teaching hospitals.

Dr. Bill Sischek, Anesthesiologist, and Chair, LHSC Medical Advisory Committee says, "SKOLAR will be invaluable as a resource to our physicians, and further enhance our patient-centred care."

SKOLAR MD searches multiple, up to date, peer-reviewed resources providing physicians with fast answers to clinical questions.

More than 1,200 accounts are being made available to LHSC and SJHC physicians, fellows, and residents, as well as third and fourth year medical students at the University of Western Ontario, for two years.

Diane Beattie, Chief Information Officer for LHSC and SJHC, says, "Studies have shown that people learn in various ways, and individual personal learning in adults is retained at a much greater rate than classroom learning. As a result, we believe the web-based virtual learning SKOLAR provides will empower physicians and residents in their continuing medical education."

SKOLAR MD is also endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Physicians and fellows can log their time spent on SKOLAR MD and use it toward their continuing professional development (CPD) hours.