Healthcare Online for Dummies (Paperback)

by Howard Wolinsky (Author), Judi Wolinsky (Author) "The Rush is on - the Internet Healthcare Information Gold Rush, that is..." (more)
Key Phrases: medical megasites, offline support groups, online pamphlet, United States, National Institutes of Health, Arthritis Foundation (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This engaging, well-written book would be useful for public and school library collections if the authors had followed their excellent recommendations for evaluating health web sites before recommending them to the general reader. This couple a news reporter on health and technology and a public librarian have the right combination of credentials for the topic. The trademark DummiesR combination of a friendly writing style, cartoons, and use of small icons for highlighting purposes provides an engaging book that could assist readers who need health information but are reluctant to use the Internet. Unfortunately, by recommending Yahoo! Health as "the best place to start your journey of alternative healing," the authors forget to note that sites linked from Yahoo! are not evaluated. At the very least, they should have used their "Warning" icon for this recommendation. In addition, when discussing MEDLINE, they give the web address for Internet Grateful Med (IGM) instead of PubMed (www.pubmed.gov). Yet the National Library of Medicine announced the demise of IGM well over a year ago; it was retired in September 2001. Libraries do not need to buy this book; patrons would be better served by a recommendation to visit www.medlineplus.org and other authoritative subject directories listed on the Medical Library Association web site (www.mlanet.org). Margaret Allen, Library Consultant, Stratford, WI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Healthcare Online For Dummies empowers you to search the vast, sometimes confusing, resources of the Internet and find the medical information you need. The Internet and this book won't replace doctors, but Healthcare Online For Dummies will enable you to become an informed partner with your healthcare provider. This book includes sections on online search techniques, wellness, and major illnesses. An extensive directory of health and medical sites lists many of the best sites the Web has to offer.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764506846
• ISBN-13: 978-0764506840
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,240,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Premier Source Book, November 28, 2001

By	Pat (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews

Healthcare for Dummies validates the Internet as a research tool. It provides qualified healthcare sources with which to help ourselves, our families and friends.
I needed immediate information to help my mother cope with my Father who has Alzheimer's. I not only found organizations with information on Alzheimer's, but sources for my Mother (the caregiver) to contact for guidance and assistance.
Healthcare is rarely one issue. This guide can assist in the search for information on conditions, treatments as well as insurance and life stage issues -- all available on the Internet.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A roadmap for the on-line healthcare superhighway!, June 25, 2001

By	Lewis Z. Koch (Evanston, Il USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As the Web gets bigger (and often crazier,) there's a greater and greater need to be able to separate the "signal" from the "noise," the truth from the false. This is especially difficult when you get into the area of health care -- which is, often, an art form, not a hard and fast science. The Wolinskys make incredible sense. "Whether in an emergency or a non-emergency situation, nothing, not even Internet technology can replace that old-fashioned, hands-on, in-person doctor-patient relationship. Nothing." This is just one sentence from one chapter, yet it represents the attitude of the Wolinskys -- whether they are explaining how to find a doctor or a hospital, buying medicines or trying alternative medicines, infants, kids, teens, women's, senior's health care --no matter. This book provides the healthcare sense and sensibilities so desperately needed today.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most helpful and reliable source I've found!, March 18, 2002

By	Gerald Hewitt, Ph. D. (STOCKTON, CA USA) - See all my reviews

When I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and spent a lot of time researching the disease and its treatment, "Healthcare Online" was exactly the kind of book I needed but didn't have. It's clear and easy-to-use, though quite sophsticated in its research assistance, and very, very helpful in providing ways to separate out the valid information from the misleading or phony stuff. In the areas I researched intensively, it lists all the sources I eventually found for myself, plus some very useful sites I never discovered. I often counsel newly-diagnosed individuals with my disease and now will pass on this book as a gold mine for their own inquiries.