Dr. Altaf Patel served as an Honorary Professor of Medicine at the J.J. Group of Hospitals and was also an Honorary Physician at J.J. Hospital. He was associated with the institution from 1977 to 2007, during which he played a significant role in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, including MBBS, MD, and FCPS trainees. He has also served as an examiner for these programs in Mumbai, as well as for the MRCP (PACES) clinical examinations in London and internationally.

He holds the distinction of being the first Indian to be certified by the International Board of Clinical Metal Toxicity.

Dr. Patel has been actively involved in academic and professional bodies, having served as a Council Member and later as President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai. He was also part of its permanent examination committee.

In addition to his clinical and academic contributions, he has been a medical columnist for leading Mumbai newspapers for over 25 years. He has also contributed to the popular book Dear People With Love and Care Your Doctors by authoring its opening chapter. Dr. Patel has been a speaker at numerous national and international conferences.