Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues: 13th February 2009

Information technology is also known as information and communication(s) technology (ICT). It is concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information, especially in large organisations. (Retrieved February 14th, 2007, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information_technology.)
Technology is very prevalent in today’s society because people have become reliant on it both for home and work. Technology has changed the way people work and communicate. Instead of going to visit a friend or ringing them, people tend to use the internet to email, Skype or face book each other to talk. At work instead of hand writing a report people now tend to type it. This is a faster and neater way of carrying this out. Computers also give you the ability to change and edit whereas if you hand wrote something you would have to use twink to fix mistakes.

As I have grown up I have become more and more comfortable and competent with telephones, mobile phones, fax, computer – email, search engines, download’s, social networking, television, GPS, MP3 players, I-pods and pagers. I think this confidence has come with experience. Our generation has been brought up with all sorts of technology. These have been readily available to us during school and at home.
On my fieldwork experiences as an Occupational Therapist many IT devices have been used. Computers were used to write notes, email, research and filling out equipment request forms. Pagers, mobile phones, telephones and faxes were used for communication between team members, MDT and other services. This made it easier and quicker for staff to communicate. The photocopier was also used to copy worksheets and information for the team and for clients who attended groups.
These IT devices can benefit a practice as it can help the team be more organised, notes are easier to read, easier to keep track off and also the team can research more efficiently and quickly. IT may also be stopped in a practice as it may not be needed for example a rest home. Residents may not understand or comprehend how the technology works. Staff may lack knowledge and confidence and therefore may not be able to use the technology efficiently. This could lead to a service being obsolete. IT may require more money and training spent therefore may be disregarded due to extra time and money the service may not have.
Many ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices. This can occur from the misuse of internet for example giving out personal information to strangers. The internet has no privacy as there is no base for the internet therefore you must be careful especially when using internet banking or your credit card on the internet. On social networking programs such as face book there are no ethical considerations put in place to protect people. For example anyone can load photos and videos on without others approval.
Computer ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct. (Retrieved February 14th, 2007 from http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/computer_ethics)
Intellectual property is various legal entitlements which attach certain types of information, ideas or other intangibles in their expressed form. The holder of this legal entitlement is generally entitled to exercise various exclusive rights in relation to the subject matter of the IP. (Retrieved February 14th, 2007 from http//:en.wikipedia.org/intellectual_property)
Social justice is the fairness and equality for society we live in. Mostly refers to an ideal society, where justice refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws (Retrieved February 14th, 2007 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 February 14th, 2007 from http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/informed_consent)
In summary an understanding of information technology and ethical issues is important as technology can be both a good and bad thing. In the wrong hands technology can be misused. It is important to understand how people are using the internet and what they can do. in our practice and daily lives