Computer Technology for Health Professionals

Computer Technology for Health Professionals: A Guide to Effective Use and Best Practices bridges the "why" and the "how" of computer technology usage in the fields of healthcare and public health practice. The book provides introductory step-by-step instruction on how to use technology and implement best practices for this use in the real world.

Topics include legal issues for computer users in health-related fields, hardware, software, malware, electronic spreadsheets, data visualization, and relational database management using Microsoft Office 2013 and 2016. The book also addresses the assessment of health-related research found on-line and discerning whether or not information found on the Internet is scientifically valid.

Students will also learn about Boolean Logic as applied to databases and online literature searches, choosing and buying software, and Geographic Information Systems. Each chapter features an "Apply Your Knowledge" section with hands-on exercises that allow students to immediately implement target concepts and skills.

Computer Technology for Health Professionals is a common sense approach to using both hardware and software. The book is designed for introductory courses in computer proficiency for health sciences and public health. Practicing professionals can use the text as a refresher or to bolster skills in specific computer applications.

Elio Spinello, M.P.H., Ed.D. is a partner in RPM Consulting, LLC, which provides research, training, software development, and technology-based decision support services to a variety of organizations. Dr. Spinello holds an Ed.D. in educational technology from the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where he is an adjunct professor in the Education Division. He also teaches at California State University, Northridge and serves as the technology coordinator for the CSUN College of Health and Human Development.