Tuesday 1 March 2011

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Intro: The focus of my first post is on Information Technology and Ethical Issues.


Definition of Information Technology/ Information Communications Technology:
"The use of computers, telecommunication, etc in electronic processing, storing, retrieving and sending information" (Allen, 2004).
Definition in my words: Electronic technology that stores and sends information to other electronic devices.


IT in everyday life and society: People of most society's will all have some form of information technology. Mobile phones, computers, laptops, IPODS, facebook http://www.facebook.com/, blog sites such as blogger http://www.blogger.com/, flicker http://www.flickr.com/ and tumblr http://www.tumblr.com/. Youtube is a very common site used to post videos http://www.youtube.com/.
It has become very common to use these various information technologies to stay in touch with others, express yourself and search different entertainment.


Devices and systems that I feel comfortable and competent using: 
I feel comfortable using IT but i do not feel I am completely competent using all aspects of it.
I am very familiar with the social networking site and blogging etc but when it comes to more technical sites I get confused and give up easily.
I am both comfortable and competent using mobile phones but am not when it comes to using computers as I do not feel like I know everything I should about them and there various programs.
I feel that this course and browsing around different IT devices and systems will help to expand my use of IT.


How is IT used in Occupational Therapy Practice?
IT is used by OT's to store information and records of clients. Information technology is used for assessments, occupational performances and tools and interventions for treatment of clients.


What are some of the ways you can envisage IT becoming a potential tool of practise?
Griffiths et al (2003) as cited in Verdonch & Ryan (2008) states that Internet applications can be useful during therapy sessions or, later, as tools for enhancing functional independence.
Griffiths & Gray (2005) as cited in Verdonch & Ryan (2008) believe that computer games can be useful tools for treatment of physical, cognitive and behavioural occupational performance components.
I feel that technology is helping occupational therapy advance by using the various potential it provides. OT's can now work with clients on improving their self-care for example a client who does not have easy access to facilities due to not being able to drive or transport is an issue, there are online websites that the client can do all from the comfort of the home. There is online shopping http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/, online supermarkets http://www.foodtown.co.nz/ and internet banking http://westpac.co.nz/.
Leisure and socialisation via technology is made available to clients with internet site such as  http://www.facebook.com/ ( a social networking site), they can blog about their life and possibly even struggles that they are going through on http://www.blogger.com/home, http://www.flickr.com/ and various other sites. Youtube http://www.youtube.com/ is a commonly used site which OT's could possibly use to show the client examples of tools they are wanting them to practice of even just for their own leisure providing entertainment, or casting their own videos.
There are even sites that can provide the client with opportunity for business of buying and selling eg. http://www.trademe.co.nz/ and  http://www.ebay.com/.


Issues and existing around OT's adoption of IT systems and tools:
Occupational therapists need to use their clinical reasoning and judgment to assess the possible risks associated with each technology. The dangers on the internet are highly publicised and there is a need to be aware of these, especially when dealing with vulnerable clients. Negative affects, such as aggression and addiction , have been associated with computer gaming.


Why I feel a great understanding and use of IT will help us in our practice and daily lives:
- advancing rapidly in daily life and we need to keep up with how the world is rapidly developing from the use of technology.
- new generations are growing up around technology and they will be the people that we are treating in the next for decades.
- can assist with advancing and improving treatment we provide to clients.
- if we do not have a great understanding of how to use IT we will not use it correctly and to its full potential for the client to benefit from what IT provides.

What ethical implications arise from capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet)?
- the information is not completely safe when being sent from one device to another.
- consent from others when posting photos of people other than yourself on the internet or taking pictures on your mobile phone.
- schools need consent to post pictures and information about students on the internet, that also goes for clients we work with.
- unless your site is locked and only certain users can access it then you need to be aware that anyone can access your information.

Definition of Intellectual Property:
Intellectual property (IP), is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law. Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. Common types of intellectual property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights and trade secrets in some jurisdictions (Wikipedia, 2011).
I understand Intellectual property to be ownership of a persons own thoughts, creations and anything they have potentially developed themselves from their mind.
Relating IT and IP to OT: when an OT is documenting clinical notes into the computer or online to other MDT professionals they always date, name and if they can sign and designate their documents making it the organisation they work for, intellectual property. 

Definition of Social Justice:
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being
My understanding of social justice is equal rights and opportunities are made for every member of a society.
Relating IT and Social justice to OT: We need to be careful as OT's to treat our clients as equal in society. When working with clients to introduce them to tools using information technology we need to understand that everyone works at different levels and treat them equally and provide them with just as much opportunity as the other clients.

Definition of Informed Consent:
Legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action (Wikipedia, 2011).
My understanding of informed consent is that a person must agree to an action or information to revealed about themselves by another.
Relating IT and Informed consent to OT: As OT's we need to make sure we always gain a client's consent before proceeding with treatment and documenting their information in an information technology system.


References:
Allen, R. (consultant editor). (2004).The penguin english dictionary. London: Penguin Books
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property

Verdonck, M., & Ryan, S. (2008). Mainstream Technology as an Occupational Therapy Tool: Technophobe or Techno geek?. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(6), 253-256.

Wikipedia. (2011). Informed Consent. Retrieved March,10th, 2011 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent

Wikipedia. (2011). Intellectual Property. Retrieved March, 9, 2011 from:

Wikipedia. (2011). Social Justice. Retrieved March, 9, 2011 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

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