Patient Education Office

The Patient Education Office collaborates with clinical staff to provide cancer patients, caregivers and the general public with accurate, reliable information to help them make intelligent decisions about cancer care. Services include patient education materials, classes, videos and computer-based learning. 

For more information on Patient Education services, call 713-792-7128.

Patient Education Online

The Patient Education Office maintains a large database of documents for patients, caregivers and health professionals. Topics include information about cancer types, diagnostic tests, treatment procedures and more. 

To view a list of printable patient education materials in PDF format, visit Patient Education Online. 

Classes

Patient education classes provide patients with information, skills and coping mechanisms to better care for themselves and make informed decisions. Family members or caregivers are welcome to attend. Classes do not meet on institutional holidays.

• Patient Education Class Calendar (PDF)
• Get Directions to classes

For information about classes in the Main Building, call The Learning Center at 713-745-8063. 
For information about classes in the Mays Clinic, call The Learning Center at 713-563-8010. 

New Patient/Family Orientation

This class teaches patients and family members more about M. D. Anderson's programs and services, including information about clinical trials and myMDAnderson.

When: Monday-Thursday, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Main Building: Floor 4, near Elevator A, Room R4.1121

When: Mondays and Thursdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near the Tree Sculpture, Room ACB2.1049 

What You Can Do About Treatment Side Effects

This class teaches patients and family members how to manage side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

When: Mondays, noon-1:00 p.m.
Where: Main Building: Floor 4, near Elevator A, next to The Learning Center in room R4.1121.

When: second and fourth Tuesdays, noon -1:00 p.m.
Where: Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near the Tree Sculpture, Room ACB2.1049 

Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Care

This class helps patients and family members remember the CVC instructions they received from their health care team.

When: Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Where: Main Building, Floor 2 near Elevator C, Room R2.2303

Caregivers: I’ve Got Feelings, Too!

Support for those who care for someone with cancer. For more information, call 713-794-4700.

When: Thursdays, noon-1:00 pm
Where: Place … of wellness, Floor 1, near The Aquarium, outside the entrance, Room R1.2000. 

Cancer-related Fatigue

When: first Thursdays, noon-1:00 p.m.
Where: Main Building: Floor 4, near Elevator A, Room R4.1121.

When: third Thursdays, noon-1:00 p.m.
Where: Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near the Tree Sculpture, Room ACB2.1049 

Bowel Management

When: Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.- noon
Where: Main Building: Floor 4, near Elevator A, next to The Learning Center in room R4.1121.

When: second and fourth Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Where: Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near the Tree Sculpture, Room ACB2.1049 

Pain Management

When: Thursdays, 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
Where: Main Building: Floor 4, near Elevator A, Room R4.1121

Computers

Cancer care and support information is available on public-access computers in the following clinic areas:

Main Building

• Diagnostic Imaging C, and D
• Diagnostic Center - Lab Medicine
• Radiation Treatment Center lobby

Mays Clinic 

• Breast Center
• Gynecologic Oncology Center

Cancer Prevention Building (CPB)

• Cancer Prevention Center

Guide to Managing Your Chemotherapy Treatment: This self-paced, interactive program uses audio and video clips, animation and touch-screen action to describe chemotherapy, how it works, how it is administered, and what resources are available during treatment. Kiosks are located in the Ambulatory Treatment Center Chair Unit (Main Building, Floor 2, near The Sundial), and the ATC R10 clinic (Main Building, Floor 10). Get Directions

Videos

MDA-TV offers "on-demand" patient education videos on M. D. Anderson's campus. Videos can be viewed 24-hours a day, and step-by-step instructions in English and Spanish are available on Channel 75. 

Patient education videos (PDF)

To view a video, call MDA-TV at 713-745-3223, enter the video number followed by the # key when prompted, and the recorded message will tell you to turn your television to a certain channel. Ask for a Patient Education Guide for more information. Some of the videos listed below can also be checked out from The Learning Center.