Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Enhancement: I*CARE

Welcome from Dr. Walter Baile
Professor, Behavioral Science
Director, I*CARE
What is I*CARE?
The Interpersonal Communication And Relationship Enhancement program provides online education designed to improve the communication among cancer patients, their families and their clinical team. I*CARE is a program of the Department of Faculty Development.
The interactions among all involved in cancer care are a key factor in determining important outcomes of cancer care and improving the quality of life both for those receiving cancer treatment and those providing it.
Skillful communication is a competency that can be taught and learned, and I*CARE's online materials provide such instruction in an effective and engaging manner. More about I*CARE.
What You'll Find on This Site
- Free Continuing Medical Education programs (CME AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility) that show the how-to's of patient-doctor communication, including breaking bad news, talking about cancer recurrence, and non-verbal communication skills.
- Patient-doctor communication materials designed to help you learn how to manage difficult situations and how to teach these skills to others.
- Programs that address the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for residents and fellows in approved training programs to obtain competencies in the areas of communication skills and professionalism.
- Free Risk Management Education Credit (RME) is available only to physicians enrolled in The University of Texas Professional Liability Insurance Plan.
Although many of the materials here are directed toward improving the skills of oncologists, other healthcare professionals caring for patients should also find the material relevant to them and their clinical practices.
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Recognition and Awards
- Walter Baile, MD¸ Director and Cathy Kirkwood, MPH, Project Director have been named joint recipients of the John P. McGovern Award for Excellence in Biomedical Communication. The award was established in 1982 by the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) to recognize persons who have demonstrated excellence in biomedical communication and who have made significant contributions to the field, particularly having a national or international impact. The award is named for the late John P. McGovern, MD, founder and director of the McGovern Allergy Clinic in Houston and a noted educator, author and historian.
- We subscribe to the code principles of the Health on the Net (HON) Foundation: Verify here
- We have been recognized as a Healthlinks Select Site
- I*CARE has been accepted to the ACGME Outcome Project Web site
- The "Important Conversations" videos received a FREDDIE Award in 2005 by the International Health and Medical Media Awards
- Walter F. Baile, M.D., I*CARE Program Director, has been selected to receive the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare's 2010 Lynn Payer Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Literature on the Theory, Practice and Teaching of Effective Health Care Communication and Related Skills. For more than 30 years, the AACH has been in the forefront of research and teaching relationship-centered healthcare communication.
- The “Crossroads” module earned a 2010 Silver People's Telly award and 2 bronze awards in the categories of "Education" and "Training."
* This site does not host or endorse any form of commercial advertisement.
Last Updated: 02/07/2012
In Memoriam
I*CARE mourns the passing of our friend and colleague Dr. Robert Buckman
More
Featured Video
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 decisions, or if it is ever time to stop chemo.
CME and RME credit available
Featured Resources
- Talking About Side Effects of Cancer Treatments - Wendy Harpham, M.D., a physician and cancer survivor, talks about side effects and how to discuss them with your doctor. Pocket Guide to Talking About Side Effects of Cancer Treatments (free PDF download)
- OncoTalk Teach Videos - These videos illustrate specific skills that are useful in communicating with patients, and in teaching communication to trainees
- Featured Article - Dr. Daniel Epner discusses ASCO Statement: Toward Individualized Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer - A "Must Read" for those who care for cancer patients
- Clinical Trials Guide - Is a clinical trial the right choice? - Free download of this guide (pdf) available
- Pocket Guide of Culturally Competent Communication (pdf) - Free download of ways cultural competence can help you plan patient care
Upcoming Events *
Events for Everyone
Communicating about Sexuality and Fertility Issues
Achieving Communication Excellence (ACE) Lecture Series - “Future Vision of Simulation in Healthcare”
» March 15, 2012 - 12:00 – 1:00 PM
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Main Building, Hickey Auditorium 11th floor, Houston, TX
David M. Gaba, M.D., Associate Dean for Immersive & Simulation-based Learning and Professor of Anesthesia, Stanford University
CME, CNE, RME, and Social Work CE information
Winter Course (for AACH Faculty and FITs)
» March 11-16, 2012
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Educational Cancer Convention Lugano – What’s New in Haemato-Oncology?
» April 21-22, 2012
Lugano, Switzerland
XXIII Congreso nacional de entrevista clínica y comunicación asistencial de sem
» May 2 - 5, 2012
Granada, Spain
Difficult Conversations in Healthcare: Pedagogy and Practice
Children's Hospital Boston - 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
» May 5, 2012 or June 9, 2012
email: allyson.mccrary@childrens.harvard.edu; phone: 617-355-5021
CME Credits: 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
CEU Credits: 6 Social Work CEU
Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
International Language and Communication: Research trends and challenges conference
» June 10-13, 2012
İzmir, Turkey
Call for Papers
30th Annual ENRICH Course - Evolving Care Models, Evolving Relationships
» June 22-26, 2012
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
WIN 2012 Symposium: “Efficacy of biomarkers and personalized cancer therapeutics”
» June 28-29, 2012
Palais des Congrès, Paris, France
European Association for Cancer Research Biennial Conference - EACR-22 From Basic Research to Personalised Cancer Treatment
» July 7-10, 2012
Barcelona, Spain
* This site does not host or endorse any form of commercial advertisement.
iPhones & iPads
I*CARE videos are compatible with iPhones and iPADs using the Safari web browser. The videos may also be viewed on most other smartphones.
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.)


