Tutorial one: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

So my first blog...I will be looking at my experiences of information technology, how occupational therapy uses IT and I will also cover the ethical issues that need to be considered relating to technological use as a medium for information distribution.

So how can we define information technology?  The Collins Concise Dictionary (1989, pp. 438) defines it as "the production, storage and communication of information using computers and microelectronics".  If I were to use my own words I would describe information technology as electrical devices that hold and communicate data.  An electrical device can include computers, cameras, music players, mobile phones etc.

Information technology today is everywhere - if I think about the types and quantity of IT equipment that I had in my home 10 years ago, things were very different.  I had no laptop, no iPod, no mySky or high definition television.  I may have had equivalents; a PC at work, a CD walkman but IT is getting much smarter and much more accessible in today's world.  I had a mobile phone 10 years ago but it could only make phone calls, send texts and store phone numbers - my current 'smart' one can take and store photos and video, play music, access the internet and organise my life..to name a few features.  This is an interesting link because it talks about information technology in the home and "the everyday life of a household in cyberspace"(Frost, n.d.).  This household certainly contains more information technology than I could ever imagine having in my home..I'm not sure if I would allow information technology to be this common place in my home.

As technology continues to advance, the variety of and accessibility to electronic devices becomes more commonplace and, it seems, society buys into this by always needing or wanting the next cool thing.

My own experience of IT could be described as a love/boredom relationship.  I love using IT for example using my iPod when I am out walking or at the gym; using mySky so I can avoid the adverts and decide when I want to watch something; using my camera and video camera to record significant moments in my children's lives; and using the laptop and internet to access information at the click of a button.  What I don't enjoy however is how it works - I find I have no interest in needing to know what happens behind the scenes ..I just want it to work!  I would say I feel pretty comfortable using familiar and unfamiliar technology but I will really only use a device if I think I will enjoy it or it will make my life easier.

So how is IT used in Occupational Therapy practice?   Digital technology is a huge part of how people today occupy themselves - for many it is a meaningful occupation in itself - therefore according to Verdonck and Ryan (2008) "therapists need to embrace the use of mainstream technology in their quest to ensure that therapy remains current and meaningful to their clients".  In my recent fieldwork at a rest home, the staff regularly took photos of the residents when they were doing particular activities or going on special outings.  The photos were then stuck up on notice boards for the clients to see and order copies if they wanted some.  Whilst this is a very simple example of how technology can be used in practice, it was amazing to see the reaction of the clients to the photos; of how the photos prompted the memory of the clients and of how they created a focal point for social interaction.


This blog (Hamilton, 2011) is written by an OT who is obviously passionate about how technology can be used within practice and as part of intervention.  Her blog dated 2nd March 2011 talks about how a communication app for iPhone/iPad/iTouch has given two autistic children a voice.  Another use of technology which has become common in therapy is Wii.  This blog (Hinkel, 2011) explains how OTs are using Wii in falls prevention, problem solving, gross and fine motor skills to name a few.  The video below explains how Occupational Therapists are using Wii in the treatment of Parkinson's patients.

(Medical College of Georgia, 2009)

We as OT's have a world of technology to tap into which can provide either meaningful activity to individuals or tools for us to use in intervention - we just need to be a bit creative about it and embrace the revolution!!..with a little bit of caution!  I believe OTs should have a good understanding of IT and we should use it in our practice - I do also believe however that we do need to be a little cautious...we have to be careful not to become too IT focussed which could be at the expense of considering what is meaningful to our client.  If, for example our client has a hate hate relationship with technology we need to respect that.  Similarly we need to make sure technology does not limit our physical interactions with our clients and inhibit the development of therapeutic relationships.

So of course it is easy to capture a photo or take a video but it is important to consider the ethical implications of capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (eg. mobile phones) or systems (eg. internet).  "Computer ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct" (Computer ethics, 2010).  If computer ethics are not respected, privacy can be at risk.  As OTs we need to take responsibility for respecting the privacy of our clients and ensuring their safety.  This can take the form for example of ensuring we have their permission before taking their photo and creating copies; keeping their personal information safe on a secure database to avoid the risk of identity theft; and ensuring that clients who may be particularly at risk do not have easy access to inappropriate sites e.g. online gaming sites.  As we continue to introduce information technology into our practices we need to ensure that we are aware of the risks and use the appropriate safety measures.

A few more bits of terminology that are important for us to consider are intellectual property, social justice and informed consent.

"Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law.  Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs" (Intellectual property, 2011, para. 1).   Assessements in OT practice and health in general are protected by intellectual property and copyright to ensure that they are not misused or copied.

"Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating an egalitarian society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being" (Social justice, 2010, para.1).   In occupational therapy practice every individual should be treated fairly and equally.  This also relates to information technology within the practice for example every client's information should be kept securely on a database and only be accessible to those with direct permission to view it.

"Informed consent is a phrase often used in law to indicate that the consent a person gives meets certain minimum standards. An informed consent can be said to have been given based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action" (Informed consent, 2011, para. 1).  When working with clients, OTs need to ensure that where possible their clients understand the facts, implications and consequences of any interventions, assessments, activities etc before they partake in them.  For example during my fieldwork, those people who had their photo taken (from the example above), agreed to it and understood that the photos would be shared within the rest home.

Phew..! So that is all for my first post - rather a 'meaty' one but hopefully it has given some food for thought :)



Reference List


Computer ethics (2010).  Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics.

Frost, T. F. (n.d.). The everyday life of a household in cyberspace (Electronic version).  Information Technology. Hanks, P. (ed.). (1989).  Collins Concise Dictionary.  Glasgow: Bath Press.

Hamilton, A. (2011).  Technot by virtualot.  Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://technots.blogspot.com/.

Hinkel, M. (2011). Wiihab: Rehabilitative therapy using the Wii by the Wii OT .  Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://wiihabtherapy.blogspot.com/.

Informed consent (20100).  Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent.

Intellectual property (2011).  Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property.

Makins, M. (1989).  Collins concise dictionary plus.  London: HarperCollins Publishers.

Medical College of Georgia (2009).  Occupational therapists use Wii in Parkinson's study (video clip).  Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ4GFugnjzY.

Social justice (2010).  Retrieved November 12, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice.

Verdonck, M. C., & Ryan, S. (2008).  Mainstream technology as an occupational therapy tool: Technophobe or technogeek?  British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(6).