Book Review

Internet, Telematics and Health

Marcelo Sosa-Iudicissa, Nora Oliveri, Carlos A. Gamboa and Jean Roberts (Eds.) Amsterdam: IOS Press, 1997, 530 pg., ISBN 90-5199-289-0

TThis volume is the newest addition to the growing library about Internet applications in Medicine. It is the collective work of more than 80 collaborators, under the coordination of four experienced specialists and editors on Medical Informatics, who carried out the integration of texts of an extensive work (one of the editors is a collaborator of this Intermedic issue). The book was released almost simultaneously in two idioms, in English, by IOS Press, and in Spanish, by Panamericana, from Buenos Aires. Portuguese and French editions are under preparation. The book includes a CD-ROM, which lists all Internet addresses covered by the text.

"Internet, Telematics and Health" is divided into two parts and seven major sections. The first part is organized as a set of individual contributions, and discusses the book´s general basis in five sections: in the first section, called Medicine, Information and Knowledge, with six chapters, more general and strategic themes related to Medical Informatics are presented. In the second section, Information Technology, hardware, software, communications and man-machine interfaces are discussed. In the third section, The Internet Revolution, the history of Internet, its tools and functions are presented, including its applications in health and its present status in the world. In the fourth section, Informatics and Telematics in Health, the main areas of Informatics application are presented in a more superficial way. Finally, the fifth and last section has a collection of altogether 20 chapters, which present many aspects on the use and possibilities of Internet and telematics in health, in many situations and countries.

The second part is a practical guide about Internet in Medicine, including an article about how to locate information, and a selection of resources and home-pages, discussion lists and newsgroups, very well illustrated with screen shots. The book is ended by a glossary, an acronyms list, a contributors lists and a remissive index. It is a large work, with a total of more than 500 pages.

A more detailed index of the book and its accompanying CD-ROM can be found at the InterHealth site.

The book is generally well organized, in a logical and progressive fashion. Due to its size and scope, it is a good and up-to-date reference work, which may be used for educational purposes. Unfortunately, as it happens with every printed publication on Internet nowadays, it became obsolete the the very day it was published, in respect to the list of addresses; due to the constant changes and additions. But, even so, the book contains valuable references and resources, particularly for the beginner.

In conclusion, this is a work off great value, which fills a high demand for this kind of information, and which deserves a high place in the library of everyone who is interested in Internet applications in Medicine.

Renato M.E. Sabbatini

Apoio:

Searle
Brasil