This will be the fifth in a series of international conferences on communication and health. The aim of this conference will be to encourage the development of effective medical practice, which emphasizes the human dimensions of medicine - empathy and compassion - alongside the technical dimensions - new developments in diagnosis and treatment, and evidence-based medicine.

The conference will bring together health professionals, educators and researchers for an exploration of ideas and innovations in clinical practice, teaching and research. Barcelona, at the beginning of a new century, is a setting which itself is worth the journey: the Mediterranean, mountain landscapes, art nouveau, historical sites, innovative cuisine and fabulous architecture.