Healthcare Informatics

Abstract

Healthcare Informatics Hanson CW. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. ISBN 0-07-144066-6. 227 pages, $35.00. Healthcare Informatics is a 227-page paperback introduction to the subject that probably should be renamed “Introduction to Computers in Health Care” or “Health Care Informatics for Dummies.” The book starts at the very beginning by describing the basics of computer hardware, software, networks, the Internet, and security. These subjects are presented in a logical and simple manner, using many line drawings and tables. It then moves into health care subjects with clear basic discussions of hospital information systems, electronic medical records, computerized order systems, decision support systems, telemedicine, HIPAA, and the use of handhelds in medicine. Of note, it does not discuss anesthesia-related subjects such as an automated anesthesia record system. The last part of the book delves into areas of future development such as implanted biochips, artificial intelligence, and robotics. If you are currently working with computers or medical informatics, this book is not for you since it is thin on specifics and oriented for the physician who knows next to nothing about the subject. This is not a “how to do it” book. As an example, although it discusses handheld drug programs, it fails to mention one of the most popular and most used drug programs, Epocrates. However, it is an easy to read, broad introduction to the subject. After reading this book, the noncomputer literate physician will have a basic knowledge of the use of computers in health care.