Information Technology for the Health Professions (3rd Edition)

Burke and Weill are correct that information technology is a highly pervasive and important issue that will change the face of health care in the next few years. It already has. As a health care professional in the technology area, I have seen great strides (and blunders) in the area of computers and health care.

It is hard, however, to understand Burke and Weill's intent of writing this book. It is thin and addresses the mere surface of each issue. I suppose it is for people who are entirely computer illiterate - I mean, it describes what a keyboard is, what a mouse does, and a brief definition of the Internet. If people don't already know about these then why explain health informatics and MRI scanners? More information could have been put in the book if more knowledge had been assumed; if the health professional does not have this knowledge, then they need to take some more basic courses. This book, in trying to start with the ultra-simple, then moving to the incredibly complex issue of digital imaging in just over 200 pages, it renders itself almost useless.

On a positive note, the chapter on computers in surgery was helpful and somewhat well done, given the meager space it was given. The best aspect of the book was the darkened "In the News" sections.

I would suggest books on Health Informatics and Medical Imaging (after getting a hold on computer basics) rather than purchase this book.