This groundbreaking pocket guide, the latest in American Psychiatric Publishing's Concise Guide series, is an essential primer about computers for students, residents, and clinicians. It focuses on computer applications relevant to clinical psychiatric practice, including all the new tools for assimilating and managing the requisite knowledge (e.g., online Internet learning), facilitating the required documentation (e.g., electronic record keeping), and providing clinical service (e.g., telemedicine).

Divided along content areas that may be read independently as well as sequentially, these easy-to-read chapters explain everything from initial purchase and setup of your computer (including peripherals such as scanners and storage devices) to * Handheld computers/personal digital assistants (PDAs)-Focuses on Palm and Pocket PC operating systems, which offer specialized medical applications in addition to standard appointment, memo, e-mail, and to do list features.

* Software applications-In addition to the standard software and utilities, discusses software for voice recognition, practice management, electronic medical records, psychological testing support, and virtual reality (used in desensitization therapy for phobic disorders).

* The Internet-Includes a wide-ranging selection of excellent web resources and covers e-mail, popular search engines, newsgroups and chat rooms, mental health resources, pharmaceutical information, journals and research, and medical sites.

* Telemedicine/videoconferencing-Discusses the technologies required to conduct effective consultations, clinics, educational conferences, and even psychotherapy at a distance, including obstacles such as state-by-state medical licensing, emergency care, and privacy.

* Security-Spanning confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, covers passwords, encryption, and firewall software, in addition to anti-theft strategies such as engraving your name/driver's license number on your computer.

* Maintenance-Presents prevention and tips, from startup to normal wear-and-tear to regular backing up (or copying) and defragmenting your data, uninstalling software, and disaster prevention.

The authors conclude with a chapter on future directions for technologies that affect clinical care, such as patient screening, treatment, and education and certification. Extensively referenced (including web resources) and indexed with an immediately useful glossary, this practical, convenient handbook is the ideal introductory reference for clinicians who are either new to computers or still contemplating their first purchase.