Information Technology and Ethical Issues

What is information technology?

Information Technology noun: the use of computers, telecomunications, etc in electronic processing, storing, retreiving, and sending information
Allen, R. (consultant editor). (2004). The penguin english dictionary. London: Penguin Books

This form of technology - computers is incredibly prevalent in our society today. We use them everyday for a huge variety of uses. As student occupational therapists we use the internet and computers for researching information specific to our profession so that we can learn from a variety of sources. As students generally we use computers for a variety of purposes, for example social networking sites such as facebook and twitter, for writing assignments and studying and keeping in contact with others with email. Technology is used everyday for so many different purposes, it has become an integral part of our society.

There are many IT devices that I feel competent using as I have grown up using ever changing technology. I use my computer everyday, alot for checking emails and playing music. I also use my cell phone everyday to keep in contact with everyone. There are other technology devices that I use very often such as my iPod or my camera. I am constantly surrounded by information technology so I have become accustomed to using it all the time.

In the Occupational Therapy setting, technology is being widely used. On my recent fieldwork placement I was in a mental health setting where we used email and phone everyday to keep in contact with the other mental health teams. Computers are used for typing up documents and storing patient notes digitally. This makes the whole process alot simpler and more efficient.

Many ethical issues arise as we use information technology and become ever more reliant on this technology. On social networking sites anyone can upload photographs of their choice without the consent of others who may be in the photographs. Information stored electronically can be copied easily and information can very easily get sent to a variety of sources. The biggest ethical issues in my opinion is information and photographs being put onto the internet without the permission of those involved. As it becomes easier to upload information, it is more common that peoples privacy can be breeched. Other information technology devices such as mobile phones are also a means of sending information very quickly with txt and pxt messages. As technology becomes more and more advanced it is becoming much easier to access information.

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

Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics

In law, intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term for various legal entitlements which attach to certain types of information, ideas, or other intangibles in their expressed form.

Retrieved February 14, 2007, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property

Social justice mostly refers to an ideal of society, where "justice" refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society, although what is "fair treatment" and a "just share" must remain unclear or subject to interpretation.

Retreived Februry 14, 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 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent

Having a good understanding of information technology will help us to embrace the changing world that surrounds us. We need to keep up to date to changes in technology so that the world doesn't change around us without us noticing. In our occupational therapy practice it is important to keep up to date with new methods of treatment and therapy so that we can offer our clients the best care possible.