Field of medicine: Medical informatics.

Format: Softcover book.

Audience: Health care professionals beginning to use the Internet.

Purpose: To teach the skills and processes needed to use on-line medical and health-related resources.

Content: The book is organized into three sections that introduce basic skills and Internet activities, show how to use Internet resources, and review the professional use of available assets. Content lists start each chapter; suggestions for on-line reading are found at the end. The seven appendices at the end of the book lack breadth but provide interesting and sometimes useful data. The glossary and index are satisfactory.

Highlights: Hands-on, useful exercises are the hallmark of this text. The exercises have three objectives: to provide guided practice, to help readers develop problem-solving skills, and to provoke thought and discussion.

Limitations: The book makes liberal use of graphics. Many of these clarify discussion, but the context and relevance of others are difficult to determine.

Context: Several health care-oriented books on the Internet are currently on the market, but this is one of the few with a strong emphasis on application.

Reviewer: Mary A. Curran, RN, PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Commentary: Although this book is not directed toward advanced users, these users should be able to find useful information and practice opportunities. This is a highly recommended tool for the neophyte. The design is directed toward beginners, and the instructional content is presented in easily understood text that uses clarifying analogies and hands-on exercises.