The first tutorial is looking at the definition of Information Technology and ethics around technology and how it relates to Occupational Therapy practice.
Information Technology (IT) is defined as anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies (IT (Information Technology), 2005-2011). My understanding of this definition is that information technology is everything to do with computers and storage such as ipods, external hard drives and even game consoles.
IT has become prevalent in today’s society as people use technology in their everyday lives to do normal day to day activities. Facebook is a good example of how people keep in contact with friends and family. There is also a new game out on Wii called Wii Fit Plus which is a game to play that helps you exercise. It is a game that you can use at home instead of having to go outside or to the gym.
I personally am not that confident using IT. However I know how to use my cellphone and ipod like most teenagers these days and I know how to do the basics on my laptop. We all rely on these things to entertain ourselves, keep in contact with our friends and family and take photos and record things. I believe that using these things on a regular basis definitely helps to build confidence when using them.
I didn’t see any use of IT during my first fieldwork placement however I have heard of people using the gaming console Wii with client’s as it get the client’s thinking but it also gets them to move around physically. I have also heard of therapist’s that have been taking photos or videos of the client’s to show them and their families how the client is improving in therapy. I believe that there is lots of technology out there that is improving all the time for therapists to use with clients that will benefit the clients hugely.
There are many privacy issues that are concerned with taking photos and video records and publically posting them. It is important to consider the individual’s privacy and safety in the video or photo before posting it on the internet. The right thing to do is to get consent from the individual before you do anything with the recording or photo.
Intellectual Property can be defined as, ‘Any intangible asset that consists of human knowledge and ideas. Some examples are patents, copyrights, trademarks and software (Intellectual Property, 2011). My understanding of Intellectual Property is an individual’s ownership of ideas, thoughts and feelings on something. When it comes to IT in OT an example of intellectual property is client notes that are written into the hospitals database as it then becomes the hospitals intellectual property.
Social Justice is defined as, ‘the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice (Social Justice, 2011). My interpretation of this definition is not to judge people and to treat people equally and the way I would like to be treated. As an OT we can use many forms of technology and it is important not to judge client’s based on their age, gender and culture as they may not want to use some IT devices.
Informed Consent is defined as permission obtained from a patient to perform a specific test or procedure (Informed Consent, 2011). My understanding of this is that we as OT’s need to gain the client’s consent when working with them. Consent can be gathered either written or verbally. When working with a client as an OT it is important to get consent with video recording or photographing patient’s progress and to check it is ok before we show others.
Reference List:
Informed Consent. (2011). Retrieved April 24, 2011, from The Free Dictionary: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/informed+consent
Intellectual Property. (2011). Retrieved April Sunday 24th, 2011, from InvestorWords.com: http://www.investorwords.com/2526/intellectual_property.html
IT (Information Technology). (2005-2011). Retrieved April Sunday 24th, 2011, from Tech Terms.com: http://www.techterms.com/definition/it
Social Justice. (2011). Retrieved April 24, 2011, from BusinessDictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/social-justice.html
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