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The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center launched an online education program that coaches healthcare professionals on skills they may never have been taught in medical school.

M.D. Anderson recently introduced the I*CARE, or Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Enhancement, program to teach clinicians, especially oncologists, the communication and relationship skills necessary to manage challenging patient or family encounters. Focused chiefly on cancer care and related issues, the site is free and accessible to any physician, nurse, or healthcare provider and is available at www.mdanderson.org/icare.

Accredited by the Health on the Net Foundation, the site includes video lectures and other resources to improve patient/physician communication and enhance patient care and outcomes. The most commonly accessed topics include effective listening, breaking bad news, error disclosure, and end-of-life issues, as well as sharing information about complementary therapies and caring for the patient caregiver.