Tutorial one :: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Provide a definition of Information Technology/Information Communications Technology (APA reference required)


Information Technology:
The study or use of processes ( esp. using computers, micro electronics, and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving, and sending information (e.g. words, numbers, pictures).
The New Zealand Oxford Paperback Dictionary.(1998).In T. Deverson(Ed). NewYork;Oxford University Press.





Consider the definition of IT you have provided. How is this form of technology prevalent in our society? How common place has it become?


Very, Most people have a wide range and number of micro electronics from cell phones to I-Pods, and most houses have a computer and its very uncommon for less than one person in a family to have a cell phone most likely the whole family has one even kids!







What IT devices or system do you feel comfortable and competent using?

i feel comfortable using most ipods as I used to have one lap tops sometimes but not with really technical stuff. With all cellphones I feel comfortable and feel I am as competent as my technology savvy generationites










Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice?

Email is the most commonly used IT that I have seen being used. Digital cameras are starting to become more commonly used to due to the decrease in price and OTs are seeing the benefits for example taking pictures of houses to look at and analyse later or to take pictures of group activities for people with memory problems or for promotion of associations for example a brain injury activities groups.











What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet)



People could use the photos or information for unrelated things that could be damaging.

Consent

It could be seen by people that it should not be.

People can access them that maybe should not be able to access information due to people’s ability in IT devices.




Provide a definition of Computer Ethics (APA reference required)


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

Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. Association for Computing Machinery: Code of Ethics




Provide a definition of Intellectual Property (APA reference required)


Intellectual property (IP) is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind such as musical, literary, and artistic works; inventions; and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and related rights. Under intellectual property law, the holder of one of these abstract "properties" has certain exclusive rights to the creative work, commercial symbol, or invention which is covered by it

.

Retrieved May 21,2007fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property



Provide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required)



Social justice refers to the concept of a society in which justice is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law. The term can be amorphous and refer to sometimes self-contradictory values of justice. It is generally thought of as a world which affords individuals and groups fair treatment and an impartial share of the benefits of society. (Different proponents of social justice have developed different interpretations of what constitutes fair treatment and an impartial share.) It can also refer to the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society.
Social justice is both a philosophical problem and an important issue in politics, religion and civil society. Most individuals wish to live in a just society, but different political ideologies have different conceptions of what a 'just society' actually is. The term "social justice" is often employed by the political left to describe a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism, which may be achieved through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or property redistribution. The right wing also uses the term social justice, but generally believes that a just society is best achieved through the operation of a free market, which they believe provides equality of opportunity and promotes philanthropy and charity. Both the right and the left tend to agree on the importance of rule of law, human rights, and some form of a welfare safety net (though the left supports this last element to a greater extent than the right).
Social Justice features as an apolitical philosophical concept (insofar as any philosophical analysis of politics can be free from bias) in much of John Rawls' writing. It is fundamental to Catholic social teaching, and is one of the Four Pillars of the Green Party upheld by the worldwide green parties. Some of the tenets of social justice, sometimes renamed civil justice, have been adopted by those who lie on the left or center-left of the political spectrum (e.g. Socialists, Social Democrats, etc). Social justice is also a concept that some use to describe the movement towards a socially just world. In this context, social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality.
Retrieved May 21, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice




Provide a definition of Informed Consent (APA reference required)

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. The individual needs to be in possession of relevant facts and also of his or her reasoning faculties, such as not being mentally retarded or mentally ill and without an impairment of judgment at the time of consenting. Such impairments might include illness, intoxication, insufficient sleep, and other health problems.
Some acts cannot legally take place because of a lack of informed consent. In cases where an individual is considered unable to give informed consent, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf. Examples of this include the parents or legal guardians of a child and caregivers for the mentally ill. In cases where an individual is provided limited facts, serious ethical issues may arise. Examples of this in a clinical trial in medical research are anticipated and prevented by an ethics committee or Institutional Review Board.
Retrieved May 21,2007,fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent



In your own words briefly summarise why (or why not) a great understanding of ITC and the ethical issues it encompasses will help us in our practice and daily lives.
Because the world we live in is becoming increasingly dependent on ITC and the awareness of safety and ethical issues is important for providing the best service as a clinician in practise.