A catalyst for change in communication skills: the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative

A major focus of the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative (CBCI) has been the development of the programming, partnerships and networks necessary to enhance communication skills within the physician-patient relationship. In this paper, the rationale for taking this approach and the scope of the activities that have been undertaken will be described, as well as the rationale for producing this series of papers. February has been chosen as the month of publication, as previous major activities of the CBCI in the area of physician-patient communication skills have been held in the month of February. It is hoped that February may become known as Communication Skills Month just as October is Breast Cancer Month: the gauntlet is thrown down to others to continue making February the month to reinforce the significance of physician-patient communication skills in the provision of quality health care.