Tutorial One - Information Technology and Ethical Issues

In Tutorial One we learnt about Information Technology and Ethical Issues.

Information Technology/Information Communications Technology is defined as "The production, storage and communication of information using computers and microelectronics".
Hanks, P. (ed). (1989) Collins Concise Dictionary. Glasgow: Bath Press.

Communications technology is important because communication systems using electronic connections have helped expand the human communication beyond face-to-face meetings, which is much faster and more effective, though not always reliable, and not very personal.

The form of information technology is prevalent in our society, having become a common place. Most people use it in everyday life such as at work and at home.

Having grown up using information technology, i feel comfortable and competent using a wide variety of information technology devices and systems, including; phones, scanners, computers.

Information technology is used on a very regular basis in Occupational Therapy practice. Having been on three fieldwork placements, i have found information technology to be used mainly for efficient communication and presenting information. OT's use pagers, fax, email, phone, computers and other devices if required for the setting.

Ethical issues arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information through IT devices and systems. This can be shown through the use of mobile phones and the internet. People may misuse these. People may capture pictures, share and transfer these pictures through text, or internet, without having permission. People may download music, movies off the internet without permission, breaching copyright laws. However, as the worldwide web is everywhere, there are difficulties making laws and monitoring what people do on the internet.

Ethics is defined as a set of moral values or principles that govern the conduct of an individual or group. From (Williams & Sawyer. (2005). Using information technology:A practical introduction to computers and communications. New York: McGraw-Hill.
There is also computer ethics, where ethics is involves in computers; a programmable, multi-use machine that accepts data, processes it into useful information. Information technology can never be considered totally secure against unauthorised access (Williams & Sawyer, 2005).

Intellectual Property is defined as "legal property rights over creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial, 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; 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".
"Intellectual Property", n.d. Retrieved April 11, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property

Social Justice can be defined as "the concept of a society, in which "justice" is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law".
Social Justice, n.d. Retrieved April 11, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

Informed Consent is defined as "an integral aspect of service provision and is basic to the individual's freedom, rights and self-determination. It is also an ethical and legal requirement".
Informed Consent Guidelines, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009, from http://www.minedu.govt.nz/education">http://www.minedu.govt.nz/education

Understanding Information Technology Communications and the ethical issues it encompasses will help us as occupational therapist's in our practice, and others in their daily lives. As OT's we will use information technology for communication each day, and it is important to know and understand the ethical issues to remain professional and keep to the law.