Chalk it up to stress. Many of us forget most of what the doctor tells us minutes after leaving the office.

But if we're diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, it's even tougher to focus on questions we should be asking.

Now you can get all the information you need in a stress-free environment.

When William Brick learned he needed bypass surgery, his training as an IBM executive kicked in.

"No matter how bad it is, find out what has to be done. Who is the best man to do it? And then get in there and do it," he said.

From the comfort of home and at his own place, he can find answers to questions he didn't even know he had.

Emmi – an interactive online program – walks him through coronary bypass surgery from pre-op to post-op.

Designed by a surgeon and a computer game designer, EMMI does what a busy physician sometimes can't do: answer questions.

At any time William can stop and e-mail his doctor. Physicians then follow up at the next office visit or over the phone.

"They seem certainly more prepared, more confident even, and they're more willing to ask questions," said Mr. Christopher Ng, urologist.

They're also more relaxed once they know what to expect.

"Knowledge is power, and knowledge and power are peace of mind," he said.

William now needs a pacemaker and he knows just where to go for answers.

Emmi walks patients through about 70 common medical procedures. Patients can log on from any computer using an access code issued by their doctor.

Emmi is used by medical centers across the country.