Provide an introduction to the focus of your first posting:
Because the purpose of this blog is for our Participation in Occupational one class the main information I will be presenting will be my answers to tutorial questions we have been given in class each week. This first posting will give some definitions of terms that will be used throughout my blog.Provide a definition of Information Technology/Information:
"Information technology (IT) has been defined by the Information Technology Association of America, or the ITAA as being the study, design, development, implementation support and/or management of any computer based information systems. This relates particularly to software applications and computer hardware. (2011). Retrieved 10, March, 2011, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information_technology
Interpret this definition in our own words. What might this definition cover?
To me "Information Technology" stands for anything to do with computer systems, and electrical systems used, in both the workforce and in peoples homes. These are used for collecting and storing information, and communicating with other people. Other I.T. items are electrical appliances that have been developed to help people live as normal a life as possible by using different computer systems, computer programs, hardware, and electrical items such as ipods, digital cameras, video recorders, mp3 players and many other important electrical appliances that people use.
I.T. is also the term given to people who work as computer technicians and also those who develop new computing programs.
Consider the defintion of IT you have provided. How is this form of technology prevalent in our society? How common place has it become?
You Should provide your own comments here as well as linking to the comments of others and examples of the use of IT in everyday life. This can be done by hyper linking to blogs, internet sites, You tube videos, podcasts etc.
IT is becoming more and more established in society today. Information technology of many different descriptions can be found in most occupations whether it is working cash registers, or doing the intake/outflow register of products coming in or out of a store, to people who work outside with plants, they all use computer systems to find out information and correlate information to others. Computers are also used by many different health professionals including Occupational Therapists to store client records and communicate with other people. OT's also use IT equipment as tools of practise for helping clients do different daily occupations, and live more fulfilling lives. Information technology has in fact become so wide spread that it can be found in pretty much every occupation today.
Information technology is also found widespread in the homes with use of the internet and people using electronic gaming machines like WIIs and Ipods to hear their music. All of these devices are forms of IT and the range of different forms are always growing and getting more useful for daily occupations.
What IT devices or systems do you feel comfortable and competent using? These are your own comments. Why are you comfortable or uncomfortable using IT? What might limit or expand your use of IT?
I find that I am comfortable using IT equipment that I have had experience working with, but can find having to use new, and unknown It equipment quiet stressful at times.
I think id there is new IT equipment that I should use for my job, i would be willing to give it a go if I was given some guidance in the beginning. I'm not sure I would be so willing to try and expand my use of new equipment if I was just left, and had to work it out myself. I find a little guidance a great thing.
IT devices and systems I'm comfortable using:
- Cellphones
- Usb devices
- Digital cameras
- Memory sticks
- Videos and video cameras
- Hoists
- Electronic wheelchairs
How is IT being used in Occupational Therapy practise?
There is a lot of IT used in "Occupational Therapy" and the types vary greatly depending on the OT client group. On both of my fieldwork placements last year computers were used to record and store client information on. Both placements also used devices such as digital cameras, to take photos of clients for their folders, and as part of teaching sessions. They also video camera's and video players that were used for teaching sessions, and also at one of my placements clients woould stay till they had recovered enough to go home, so they would have video evenings as entertainment for those that wanted to watch.
One of my placements also used an Xbox gaming machine, electric hoists - for lifting clients and also electric wheelchairs.
What issues exist around OT's adoption of IT systems and tools?
The level of understanding an OT has on how to use a piece of IT equipment can be an issues, as what one OT understands another may not. So it is important to provide training for all levels of ability, so everyone is able to use, and model the correct use of the equipment to their clients.
It is also important that the computer system is kepted in a secure room that is not accessible by the public or prying eyes, so client information is safe.
What are some of the ways you can envisage IT use becoming a potential tool of practise. You should provide your own comments here as well as linking to examples of OT using IT in practise. This can be done by hyper linking to blogs, internet sites, You Tube videos, podcasts etc.
The sky is the limit really in my opinion as computer technology is improving and being upgraded everyday, and as I said before there isn't a job around that doesn't use IT in some way shape or form these days. I envisage IT being used as tools for many different purposes from prosthetic body parts to adjustable wheelchairs that enable people to stand and do everything that we can do. I saw some examples of IT equipment like these being demonstrated at the enabling expo on the 22nd February 2011, at The Edger centre in Dunedin.
IT is being used as a tool for communicating with others, and it is getting easier by the day because of the types of programs and electronic devices that are being used. On my placement the Occupational therapist used a cellphone and email, to communicate with other health professionals and she also used google on the internet to research many different aspects.
They also used dvd players, and WII gaming systems as teaching resources and also as entertainment for the clients.
In your own words briefly critique why (or Not) a great understanding and use of IT will help us in our practise and daily lives.
I believe it is really important to have an understanding of IT, because it has taken the world by storm and become so significant a part of just about every occupation that person do in their normal daily lives. Therefore I believe it is essential for OT's to be able to use it because it will help in our OT practise, and allow us greater ability to help and enable clients by using different IT devices. It will also help us in our daily lives because as I said before IT devices are everywhere and that includes our homes.
What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing, and tranferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet)
- Privacy is the main ethical implication I believe as most people have mobile phones and are able to get onto the internet so keeping information private can be jeopardised by the phone getting lost or people seeing information on these devices that they are not supposed to see.
- Mobile phones and computers get lost or stolen at times and that means that peoples (clients) information is also lost and at jepardy of getting into the wrong hands, which could cause problems for the clients, not to mention the fact of losing the clients data that you have collected over the time you have been working with them.
- When you are taking a picture of clients you need to get their permission first and explain what you are going to do with the information and who you are going to share it with - not everyone wants their picture going on the internet.
- Plagerism is another big ethical issue, because it can happen when you are sending information via an IT device. This can be seen when you cut and paste pictures, or articles from the internet to use as part of a resource, but you forget to sight where you got it from, consequently plagerising someone elses work. Oops :-(
Intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term used for human innovations and creativity that are capable of being protected under national law and international treaties.
IP includes a diverse range of commercial assets from patents for new inventions through to copyright protected artworks.
Provide a definition of intellectual Property:
Intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term used for human innovations and creativity that are capable of being protected under national law and international treaties.
IP includes a diverse range of commercial assets from patents for new inventions through to copyright protected artworks. New Zealand Legislation Business. (2010).Retrieved 21, March, 2011, from http://www.iponz.govt.nz/cms/what-is-intellectual-property
Provide a definition of Social Justice:
The fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice. (2011). Retrieved 21, March, 2011, from http://businessdictionary.com/definition/social-justice.html
To me this means it does not matter who the person is, or where they come from, they should still be treated equally and with the same rights as anyone else. Because we are all humans wherever we come from and should not be treated any differently because of our ethnicity, gender, race or religion.
Provide a definition of Informed Consent:
Informed consent is a legal procedure to ensure that a patient or client knows all the risk and costs involved in a treatment. The elements of informed consents include informing the client of the nature of the treatment, possible alternative treatments, and the potential risks and benefits of the treatments. In order for informed consent to be considered valid, the client must be competent and the consent must be given voluntarily. Retrieved 21 March 2011 from http//:psychology.about.com/od/iindex/g/def_informedcn.html
I interpret this to mean what is told to a client by their doctor or support worker so they are made aware of everything and understand what is happening and can make an informed consent as to the treatment they will receive and that the client is happy with the options that they have been given.
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