Understanding Computers in Healthcare: A Guidebook for Rehabilitation Professionals.

Understanding Computers in Healthcare: A Guidebook for Rehabilitation Professionals Weinstock B. Brooklyn, NY 11214, Proactive Digital Rehab, 2001, paperback, 224 pp, ISBN: 0-9703030-0-9, $29.95.

The focus of the text is to provide a non-technical overview of how computers can be used to improve work processes, enhance patient care, and prevent technology-related workplace injuries and to discuss the many changes resulting from the Information Age. The topics include: a definition of health care informatics, hardware basics, software basics, ergonomics, voice applications, networks, e-mail, distance learning, and documentation and billing. The book includes a glossary of terms and abbreviations, and an index.

The text provides the reader with several definitions of terms from the computer industry. Each chapter has a brief description of the area under consideration. The chapters, however, rarely devote enough attention to one topic to bring the reader to a level of comfort with the subject matter. For example, telemedicine is discussed in little more than a page, with even less space devoted to "telerehabilitation." The chapters, however, do include recommendations on where additional information can be obtained. The text contains citations from recent publications.

The book has no application to the academic rehabilitation setting. The book does not have a study guide, but does include a CD-ROM, and would require additional textbooks to supplement its use. The book would best be recommended for the health care professional who desires only definitions concerning computer technology and the computer industry as well as a topical reference guide.

Mark Brimer, PT, PhD Holmes Regional Medical Center Melbourne, Fla

Dr Brimer is Administrator of the Orthopaedic Institute. His research interests include health care management and administration.