Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

IT stands for "Information Technology," and is pronounced "I.T." It refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies. Many companies now have IT departments for managing the computers, networks, and other technical areas of their businesses. IT jobs include computer programming, network administration, computer engineering, Web development, technical support, and many other related occupations. Since we live in the "information age," information technology has become a part of our everyday lives. That means the term "IT," already highly overused, is here to stay. Retrieved March 10, 2011 from
http://www.techterms.com/definition/it. 

Information technology is the use of computers and software that manage information.
Information Technoglogy is very today in our society. There are constant upgrades to systems and applications or "apps" as they seem to be termed these days.  This technology allows us to access a raft of information thats is floating around in cyberspace.  We can talk to friends, family and business aquaintances instantly.  This seems to be a necessity today in the world of communication.  Business is done this way now.  We have become so used to having access to the net or our cell phones or facebook that we have little patience when these applications don't work or are offline.  We rely heavily on our technology as we are using it everyday in the form of computers, cell phones, cameras, videos, ipods and mp3's.and many more that I don't even know about!  It seems to have become very common place to own one or all of these gadgets.

Over the last 2 years at polytech I have become comfortable using my computer to produce my assignments, access moodle for online tutorials and information, and also accessing relevant websites for information.  I am constantly on my laptop and have a setup where my laptop has become my hard drive and I have large flat screen and a wireless keyboard and mouse.  This makes life much easier particularly on my eyes.  I have become much more accomplished at surfing the net but have a long way to go before I am really good at it.  I use my digital camera, and mp3 without too much difficulty and the cell phone has become attached to my body so to speak.  I can use facebook but recently cancelled my account as I found it to be a bit of a time waster.  I love the trade me site and have used it to buy and sell extensively.   I'm not particularly experienced at tuning in the television or sorting out the sky box as I dont really enjoy reading the instructions and have someone who is much better at it than me!

During fieldwork placement one, the health professional used the computer to communicate with each other and receive information, for example, newsletters, meeting dates and general communications. The case notes were still written by hand where I was on placement.  In other areas of OT computers would be used to update case notes and client history also strengths, goals and plans for discharge.   Using the computer to communicate or keep files updated is a more efficient and time saving way to work.

Ethical implications arising from capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices  are privacy and security of information.  Considerations of the legality of posting on the internet or using other IT devices and whether that information is accurate could create a minefield for the legal profession.
Informed consent is a person or clients right to be fully aware of anything that pertains to the wellbeing of that person before any procedure can take place.  It is Right 7 of the Code of Health and Disability Consumers' Rights.  Retrieved on 11 March, 2011, from http://www.healthpoint.co.nz/default,6321.sm
.

Intellectual property is all knowledge, creative ideas or personal expressions that have a financial value.  This includes copyright, patent issues, trademarks and trade laws, property, brand names, formulas, designs, sorftware and works of an artistic value.  Retrieved 11 March, 2011, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/intellectual-property.html

Social justice means that the law is fair and proper to all people regardless of the ethnical origin, gender, race and religion etc to be treated equally without predjudice.  Retrieved 11 March, 2011, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/social-justice.html.

Informed consent is a persons right to be told everything that pertains to oneself before a procedure takes place.  It is Right 7 of the Code of Health and Disability Consumers Rights.