Information technology; the use of computers and electronic technology to store and communicate information.
Treffry, D.(Editorial Director). (2000). Collins Pocket Dictionary.United Kingdom: HarperCollins Publishers.
This form of Technology has become an integral part of todays society. We are part of the Industrial revolution age where new tools are being developed that either complement or replace older technologies. With this change in mind there is a need for upskilling in our areas of practice. As students we rely heavily on the use of computers for online components of course materials, email contact, the use of the web for research and social networking sites such as facebook. Assignments in this day and age are generally reqired to be typed up and submitted electronically.
Use of email, cellphones, social networks and skype are efficient means of communicating today with friends, family or collegues anywhere in the world at any given time. The need for face to face interaction is decreased.
Having being brought up in the age of ever changing technology I am comfortable using a number of IT devices and systems. I use computers generally on a daily basis during my study year for assignments, research, online course components, emailing and facebook or skype contact to connect with peers, family or lecturers. I also own an ipod, and digital camera. My cellphone is also an integral part of life for safety, social contact or an organisation tool.
IT is an essential part of the Occupational Therapy Practice. On my fieldwork placement I was in a Community Physical Health setting where use of email and landlines or cellphones were a daily phenomena to contact and communicate with clients, clients families, other health professionals or companies. Computers are used for typing up and storing client notes or documents as well as ordering equipment digitally. In client rehabilitation IT can be used as assistive learning tools, as part of assessments etc to increase opportunities to engage in everyday life.
With the reliance and availabilty of Technology in todays society there a number of ethical implications that arise. Capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices such as the net or mobile phones enables easy access into peoples private lives. Information can be copied, uploaded or stored without consent. It is a topic of much debate regularly hitting the headlines.
Here are some definitions regarding ethics:
Computer Ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct (retrieved April 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/computer_ethics).
Intellectual Property is an umbrella term for various legal intitlements which attach to certain types of information, ideas, or other intangibles in their expressed form (retrieved April 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/intellectual_property).
Social Justice mostly refers to an ideal of society, where "justice" refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society (retrieved April 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/social_justice).
Informed Consent is a 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 (retrieved april 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/informed_consent).
Having a sufficient understanding of ITC and the ethical issues it encompasses, as future occupational therapists we can aspire to practicing in a safe and ethical manner. We will whether it be in practice or during our everyday life come across new or changing technology systems and will need an open minded attitude to taking these on board and seek to increase opportunities to engae clients in everyday life. Also increasing our professionalism and aiding our communication skills through the use of technology will be beneficial to our practice.
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