Tutorial 1: Informational Technology and Ethical Issues

Provide a definition of information tecnology.
"Information Technology can be defined as the study, design, development,implementation, support or management of computer based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware."
Retrieved 26th May 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology

Consider the definition of IT. How is this form technology prevalent in our socity? How common place has it become?
It is a huge part of our everyday life we use it in our homes, work and schools. Almost everyone has a computer in there home.

What IT devices or systems do you feel comfortable and competent using?
Internet, cellphone, digital camara,MP3 and laptop

Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practise?
Computers are used to connect people with emails , type up reports and retrieve new information so OTs can gain new knowledge. Cellphones and pagers are also used to communicate. Camaras are also used to take photes of clients home enviroments.

What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices or systems?
Privacy issues have to be be tha biggest. It is important that information is sent to the right person and the individual has given their consent. Also with computers people could hack into databases and get private information.

Provide a definition of Computer Ethics.
"Computer ethics is a branch of practical philosophy should make decisions regarding professional and social situations."
Retrieved 26th May 2008 http://enwikipedia.org.wiki/?computer-ethics

Provide a definition of Intellectual Property.
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.
Intellectual property is divided into two categories: Industrial property, which includes inventions (patents), trademarks, industrial designs, and geographic indications of source; and Copyright, which includes literary and artistic works such as novels, poems and plays, films, musical works, artistic works such as drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures, and architectural designs. Rights related to copyright include those of performing artists in their performances, producers of phonograms in their recordings, and those of broadcasters in their radio and television programs.

What is Intellectual Property. Retrieved 26th May 2008. http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/

Provide a definition of Social Justice.
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.Retrieved 26th May 2008.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

Provide a definition of Informed Consent.
Informed consent: A process in which a person learns key facts about a clinical trial, including potential risks and benefits, before deciding whether or not to participate in a study. Informed consent continues throughout the trial.
Definition of informed consent. Retrieved 26th May 2008.http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22414

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.
Technology is a wonderful thing as new things are made everyday to help us in our everyday lives. It is important for us to understand ITC so that when it comes to ethical issues we know what to do like with privacy.