Tutorial 1

In this post I will be defining information technology (IT) in the world today and how it is prevalent today. This post will also express how comfortable and competent I am with IT, how IT can be used in OT and the ethical precautions that may arise using IT.

“Information technology means the technologies that collect, transmit, store, process, and deliver information” (Chen, 2011). IT to me means the technology that allows people to access information and be used to store information for others to access. Examples of this can be the internet and computers themselves are among the most common used IT. Yet IT is not only used for information and storing information but is used for leisure time too.

IT has a part of everyday life and is so important to society now. You only have to look around you when you are walking down the street and see how many people are on their cell phones or at your work place where documenting and even work itself is generally done on your computer. People can communicate with others who are not even in the same room let alone in the same country without pause and can be having conversations with them as if they were face to face.

I feel comfortable using most IT devices including computers and cell phones. I believe I am comfortable with IT because I was brought up using most of these technologies and so new technology just builds on this foundation of knowledge I already have. The limits on IT is whether there is electricity for technologies such as computers and televisions or the level of reception for technologies such as cell phones or remote controlled devices.

A technology that OT’s can use for clients treatments is an I-pad. An I-pad could be used as a tool to develop client’s coordination and to help those who cannot communicate in any other way. The issues that exist around OT’s and IT tools is that when you store details on a computer or any other technology people have the ability to access this by hacking passwords or by the therapist pressing the wrong button and then someone’s personal details are broadcasted to potentially the world. This is a breach of client privacy and could result in the OT losing their job and even their registration. I can see IT becoming potential tools of practice for OT’s in the future as a way of communication to clients and to colleagues. Even now we have technology to talk and see people who are not in the same country let alone in the same room. Who knows what technology OT’s will have access to in the future as a way of communication. “Occupational therapists will take their place in societies of the future by demonstrating their expertise in technologies that facilitate performance in life’s occupations and roles. Scholars, technical experts and consumers who understand these tools will affect this process” (Breines & Pellerito 2003vi). The way modern society has changed is that now so many occupations are structured around IT. So if we as OT’s have a great understanding of technology then we can understand the clients meaningful occupations and can make better strategies on how to get the client back to doing these occupations.

Breines, E. B. & Pellerito, J. M. 2003, 'Occupational technology: a vision for occupational therapy (editorial)', Occupational Therapy International, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. iii-vii.

Chen, R. (2011). 2011 International Conference in Electrics, Communication and Automatic Control Proceedings. New York: Springer Science + Business Media.