Monday, May 25, 2009

Tutorial one: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Information Technology/Information Communications Technology- IT

Definition: Information Technology noun the use of computers, telecommunications, etc in electronic processing, storing, retrieving and sending information.

Allen, R. (consultant editor), (2004).The penguin english dictionary. London: Penguin Books

This technology is now very prevalent in society today, with many people using it in their everyday lives. There are many IT devices and systems that I am comfortable and dare I say it competent using such as: email, internet, mobile phones, fax machines, computers, digital cameras, internet banking to name a few.

Whilst on fieldwork I have seen a number of ways in which IT has been used in Occupational Therapy practice for example, in the use of electric wheelchairs, voice recognition, intranet for staff, video conferencing, emails, internet searching, laptops, mobile phone, Nintendo Wii. However there are some ethical implications that can arise in the use of these. There are rules about who can use it, and who has access to it, what information is used, along with who governs it.

Computer Ethics

Definition: computer ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.

Retrieved on 26 May 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics

Intellectual Property

Definition Intellectual property (IP) are legal property rights over creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial, and the corresponding fields of law.[1] Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; ideas, discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. Common types of intellectual property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights and trade secrets.

Retrieved 26 May 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_Property

Social Justice

Definition: Social justice, sometimes called civil justice, refers to the concept of a society in which justice[citation needed] is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law. It is generally thought of as a world which affords individuals and groups fair treatment and an impartial share of the benefits of society.

Retrieved 26 May 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Justice

Informed Consent

Definition: Informed consent is a legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications and future consequences of an action. In order to give informed consent, the individual concerned must have adequate reasoning faculties and be in possession of all relevant facts at the time consent is given. Impairments to reasoning and judgement which would make it impossible for someone to give informed consent include such factors as severe mental retardation, severe mental illness, intoxication, severe sleep deprivation, Alzheimer's disease, or being in a coma.

Retrieved 26 May 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_Consent

I think it is important to have a great understanding of ITC and the ethical issues as IT is becoming more and more common place in our lives and in future practice. We are using many of these technologies and more regularly than we use to.

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