Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet considers for review books of interest to librarians and health care consumers. This column will concentrate on reviews of resources recent books about consumer health care information available on the Internet. Books available online and in print about Internet resources will also be reviewed. In addition, titles that assist the new Internet user with getting started on accessing Internet resources will occasionally be included. It is the purpose of each review to provide a detailed description and critical evaluation of the work. Recommendations for purchase are also included. Reviews reflect the opinions of the reviewer, not of the editors or publisher of the Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet.
Persons interested in becoming a book reviewer or suggesting titles for review in Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet should contact the Book Review Editor: Barbara M. Bibel, Reference Librarian, Oakland Public Library, Oakland, CA ([email protected]).
The second edition of High Blood Pressure for Dummies contains simplified information for consumers on all aspects of hypertension, including prevention, treatment, and other diseases that may contribute to it. Once the layperson gets the “basics” from the book, they are encouraged to remain up-to-date in their knowledge by consulting the seven pages of Internet sources in the appendix, entitled “Resources for the Latest Information.”
The author is clear about what makes an acceptable Web site to consult and promotes the Health on the Net Foundation (HON) code. All twelve sites listed are HON approved. Detailed descriptions of their content for consumers and their URL addresses and contact information are given. All links were in working order. Sites include the typical resources librarians would consult, such as the American Society of Hypertension, the American Heart Association, MedlinePlus, and PubMed. Dr. Rubin's grasp of the content of most of these sites is fine; however, his description of PubMed is somewhat misleading as to what can be accessed for free. His statement, “ … you can access thousands of articles on any medical topic,” may not translate the fact to the consumer that although there are many free articles, most of the full-text articles require fee-based access.
The critical problem with Dr. Rubin's Internet listings is his attitude toward the patients trying to access health information. In the book's foreword, the author advises that the Internet references in the appendix be consulted if the book is obtained “several years” after its publication date. Unfortunately, he also chastises his readers several times stating, “ … If you're still not connected to the World Wide Web, get with it! It's like having the world's libraries at your fingertips.” In the appendix introduction he says, “What? You don't have a connection to the Internet?” and sarcastically suggests readers without Internet access could use “ … that quaint instrument, the telephone” or “snail mail” to obtain information.
It is that doubtful that lower income families or the very elderly, who may have to spend their money on a multitude of prescription drugs, will appreciate this derisive tirade. Dr. Rubin has apparently concluded that the issue of access is simply one of patients not wanting to use a computer. What a missed opportunity to suggest that patients go to a library for free computer access and help from professional librarians! His attitude reinforces the need for consumer health librarians as nonjudgmental guides through the clutter of the Internet in search of health information.
Dr. Rubin previously wrote three of the other Dummies series in endocrinology topics. He is in private practice in San Francisco and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. His Web site is <http://www.drrubin.com>.
The book contains good information about the basics of hypertension and its health consequences. The Web sites listed are those that any consumer librarian would recommend. Hopefully patients with Internet access will look past the insults and those without will find a way to reach these excellent sources.