Though Dr Robert Wachter is known for coining the term “hospitalist” and launching a new medical specialty, this book is his sixth and he is clearly an author whose talents go far beyond that simple sound bite. In The Digital Doctor, Dr Wachter deftly explains the complex interaction of medicine and information technology. The book is meticulously researched, including interviews with a diverse assortment of frontline clinicians, information officers, and policy makers, as well as background research on the evolution of medical documentation. Going beyond an analysis of work flow, Dr Wachter also details the impact of information technology on physicians’ relationships with their patients and their colleagues.

The book is divided into 6 parts, the first giving the history of medical documentation, and the last, a view on what the future holds as information technology is increasingly embedded in health care delivery. The middle sections each describe a...

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