This is a comprehensive new text from renowned health experts.The first book on health informatics written specifically for information professionals, this text helps you grasp the fundamentals of a rapidly emerging field and describes how medical libraries can be essential players in the health informatics revolution.Opening chapters describe the history, role, and infrastructure of medical informatics as well as its impact on access to medical information and the culture and quality of medical care. Chapters on the organization of medical knowledge and the use of information technology tools in the health sciences follow - from data and information processing to database management, telecommunications and networks, computer-aided instruction, and special technologies like wearable computers. The last part of the book addresses specific applications, education, and the evolving future of health sciences informatics. All major arenas - including nursing, pharmaceutical, dental, public health, hospital, and veterinary informatics - are considered in detail.Written for use in LIS courses on health informatics and medical librarianship, this is also an ideal text for undergraduate or graduate-level courses in biomedical information management. This is a must-have for every medical or health library and information center, corporate libraries in biomedical and pharmaceutical companies will also find this book to be an invaluable resource.