Achieving Communication Excellence (ACE) Lecture Series Videos
The following are videotaped lectures of guest speakers who participated in our I*CARE ACE lecture series. To obtain continuing education credit for these videos, please go to the CME or RME links.
Dr. Baile interviews the ACE Lecture speakers below in I*CARE Roundtable.
Teaching Oncologists Communication Skills: From Microprocessing to Microprocessors (52:27)
Dr. Tulsky discusses teaching communication skills to oncologists. Presented February 12, 2013.
James A. Tulsky, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Nursing
Chief, Duke Palliative Care
Durham, NC
Dr. Tulsky's Presentation
(CME available July 2013)
From Doctor to Patient: Cancer, Pain and Dying (57:03)
Presented November 6, 2012.
Richard B. Patt, M.D.
Former
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Neuro-Oncology
Director of Anesthesia Pain Services and Deputy Chief, department of Pain and Symptom Management, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Medical Director of Inpatient Services, Hospice at The Texas Medical Center
President and Chief Medical Officer, The Patt Center for Cancer Pain and Wellness Dr. Patt's Presentation
(CME available July 2013)
Dr. Patt discusses his journey from being a successful doctor to a stage IV lung cancer patient. Follow him on his Houston Chronicle Blog.
Screening for Distress in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients (59:34)
Dr. Grassi discusses a method of detecting patient distress using the “Distress Thermometer.” Presented May 1, 2012.
Luigi Grassi, M.D., Professor and Chair of Psychiatry
Chair Department of Biomedical & Specialty Surgical Sciences
University of Ferrara, Italy Dr. Grassi's Presentation
Breaking bad news (short video in presentation)
What’s Dignity Got To Do with It? Emerging Opportunities in Palliative Care (59:50)
Dr. Chochinov discusses how dignity conserving strategies can help patients and families face the end of life. Presented April 26, 2012.
Harvey Max Chochinov, M.D. Ph.D. FRCPC FRSC, Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care
Distinguished Professor-Department of Psychiatry
University of Manitoba, Canada Dr. Chochinov's Presentation
Life is Short (short video in presentation)
Simulation in Medical Education (1:01:15)
Dr. Gaba discusses how simulation is being used in medical education.
David M. Gaba, M.D., Professor of Anesthesia,
Associate Dean for Immersive and Simulation-based Learning,
Stanford University Dr. Gaba's Presentation
Communicating about Sexuality and Fertility Issues (51:34)
Dr. Schover discusses how to talk to patients about sexuality and fertility issues. Presented February 7, 2012.
Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D., Professor of Behavioral Science,
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Dr. Schover's Presentation
Communicating with Families in Cancer Care (60:30)
Dr. Kissane discusses how to communicate with families of cancer patients.
David Kissane, M.D.,
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,
New York, NY Conducting a Family Meeting Booklet Conducting a Family Meeting Blueprint
Action Methods in Developing Communication Skills (57:37)
This talk will focus on methods to enhance relationships with patients and others by creating empathic understanding and improving communication. Presented May 26, 2011.
Rebecca Walters, MS, LMHC, TEP, Director, Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute,
New Paltz, NY
Psychodrama Scenarios (20:48)
Psychobiology of Communication and Doctor-Patient Relationships (49:06)
This talk focuses on the psychobiology of communication and doctor-patient relationships. Presented May 10, 2011.
Massimo Biondi, M.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry,
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Dr. Biondi's Presentation
Assuring Safe Passage: Moving Conversation about End-of-Life Upstream (1:03:58)
Dr. Block discusses how to have early values and goals discussions with oncology patients with poor prognoses. Presented March 22, 2011.
Susan Block, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine,
Harvard Medical SchoolDr. Block's Presentation
How-and Why- Oncologists Should Help Patients Make Treatment
Decisions, 'Or, Is It Ever Time To Stop Chemo?' (48:40)
This talk focuses on how and why oncologists should help patients make treatment decision, or if it is ever time to stop chemo. Presented February 1, 2011.
Thomas J. Smith, M.D., F.A.C.P., Professor of Medicine and Palliative Care Research, Massey Cancer Center,
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityDr. Smith's Presentation
How Clinician-Patient Communication Can Improve Health Outcomes (56:56)
This talk focuses on evidence-based findings that link effective communication with important health outcomes for patients and families. Presented June 8, 2010.
Richard L. Street Jr., Ph.D., Professor and Head, Department of Communication, Texas A&M University
Dr. Street's Presentation
Patients and Families Facing End of Life (53:10)
This talk focuses on the role of the health care professional in delivering support to the patient and family at the end of life. Presented April 6, 2010.
Eduardo Bruera, M.D., Chair, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Spirituality and Cancer: What Patients Want to Discuss (55:59)
This talk reviews different definitions of spirituality specifically as they relate to helping patients find meaning. Presented November 3, 2009.
Lois M. Ramondetta, M.D., Associate Professor, Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterDr. Ramondetta's Presentation
Humour as a Coping Strategy (58:55)
This talk reviews the role humour plays in interpersonal communication. Presented on June 9, 2009.
Robert Buckman, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Hospital
Dr. Buckman's Presentation
Provider Communication and Patient Accrual to Cancer Clinical Trials (1:01:24)
This talk reviews the critical role that interpersonal communication behaviors play in effectively communicating with patients about clinical trials – to enhance decision making by improving the processes of informed consent and informed refusal. Presented April 30, 2009.
Terrance L. Albrecht, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute,
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Dr. Albrecht's Presentation
Clinical Trials at MD Anderson: Is a Clinical Trial the Right Treatment Choice for You?
Cross-Cultural Aspects of Communication with Cancer Patients (1:05:52)
This talk reviews how culture influences people's perceptions of health and illness and how it affects communication in clinical oncology. It provides strategies to increase negotiation skills needed to communicate effectively with cancer patients in multicultural clinical settings. Presented February 26, 2009.
Antonella Surbone, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P., Professor of Medicine, New York University, Lecturer on moral philosophy and bioethics, University of Rome and Turin, Italy
Dr. Surbone's Presentation
Pocket Guide of Culturally Competent Communication - Free Download
What to Say When the Chemo Did Not Work (42:36)
This talk reviews the strategies and common pitfalls for dealing with difficult situations in which anticancer therapy has been ineffective - how to support hopes, how to maintain trust, how to make transitions in goals of care. Presented October 21, 2008.
Anthony Back, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington
Making Connection: The Art and Science of Compassion (1:05:28)
This talk reviews recent advances in the neuroscience of social relationships and provides a framework for enhancing the compassionate care of patients. Presented June 10, 2008.
James Duffy, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Free CME Credit Available
Certain material on this site is available for Continuing Medical Education Credit. To obtain credit you must use the “Earn Free CME Credit Online” link on the left.
Risk Management Education (RME) Credit Available
Certain material on this site is available for Risk Management Education Credit for physicians enrolled in the The University of Texas Professional Liability Insurance Plan only. To obtain credit you must use the “Earn Free Risk Management Credit Online” link on the left.
Applying for both CME and RME?
If you are applying for both CME and RME for the same module, you MUST view the video through the CME link and then print both the CME forms (found on the right side of the video page) and the RME forms (found below the video window) and send to the appropriate offices.
I*CARE on iTunes U
Anyone wishing a copy of the videos may download or subscribe to the videos at
I*CARE at MD Anderson on iTunes U.
Note: You must have iTunes software (a free download from Apple) installed to launch this link. (Page will open in a new browser window. MD Anderson does not endorse external sites.)