About the name of the blog

Do we need forks? is a name that reflects my philosophy about technology - the first question we should ask is "Do I NEED this?" Will it make my life and meaningful occupations easier, or better in some way?
As a student (first time around), I remember reading a scene from a play set in the 1600s, where French nobles were wondering what to do with a fork. The social context meant that forks were unnecessary. In that time, people would
bring a knife, use a spoon for liquids, and hands for everything else. In a different social context where people are concerned about hygiene, a fork seems relevant. Or you could just wash your hands really well before each meal.
This philosophy about technology relates well to frameworks of occupational therapy. We look at the person - do they really need this technology? - the occupation - how meaningful is this occupation and do they need technology to make it easier to participate in? - and the environment, which includes social factors - is this technology going to fit with their environment?

Monday, March 21, 2011

1. Information Technology & Ethics - Part Two

Mainly about IT and OT...


Information technology is used in OT practice to help people become independent and to improve their occupational performance.

Verdonck, M. C., & Ryan, S. (2008). Mainstream technology as an occupational therapy tool: Technophobe or technogeek? (Electronic version). British Journal of Occupational Therapy.  Retrieved March 21, 2011, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6805/is_6_71/ai_n31909080/

Issues
Verdonck and Ryan discuss the risks of using online tools being internet addiction and aggression.  Another factor OTs need to be mindful of is the use of the IT tool.  A new gadget or software may look shiny and exciting, but is it the best, most cost effective, and only way to facilitate the client's participation in their meaningful activity?  The other issue is understanding how the tool works.  An OT cannot effectively provide a client with an IT tool if the OT does not completely understand how it works.  Therefore, training needs to occur before implementing any system or tool.


IT as an OT tool of practice
Occupational therapists could use IT systems such as social networking sites to help clients reengage in using those sites as an occupation in itself.  Clients can join forums for people with similar conditions or concerns, or search for a job online.


This is a bit left field, but is definitely OTs using IT in practice.  Six Australian OTs got together to create a database of research to support evidence-based practice.  The result is the OT Seeker database, available to all for free: http://www.otseeker.com/default.aspx


This is an IT worker called Marc Rosette, reviewing an iPad app called 'Dexteria'.  The app was developed by occupational therapists to help with developing and assessing fine motor skills: http://www.vimeo.com/22428863

And this is the American Occupational Therapy Association using vimeo to advertise their 2011 conference to members:
http://www.vimeo.com/20288903
Very cool animation!!!!!


And here is an OT unit using Wii for TBI rehab: Brain injury rehabilitation using Wii recreational therapy


A great understanding and use of IT helps us in our practice and daily lives, mainly because we are living in a society where these tools are normal.  The domain of expertise of an occupational therapist is the everyday, the mundane, the logging onto facebook to look at baby photos, the checking emails, playing Wii, or Grand Theft Auto, brain training on the Nintendo DSi, using an iPhone to decide which restaurant to eat at, or find your way to the movies.  As OTs, we have to know a little bit about everything, and there is no way we can escape having to know about all things techno if we want to engage with our clients and help them to enrich their lives.



Intellectual property - a definition

intangible property that is the result of creativity (such as patents or trademarks or copyrights)

intellectual property. (n.d.) Retrieved March 19, 2011, from http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=intellectual%20property

In my own words, this is something that you have created, as an artist or inventor, or an occupational therapist.  It reflects an original idea.  As occupational therapists, we may need to think about getting a patent, trademark, or copyright for our own brilliant ideas.  We also need to think about acknowledging our clients' ideas and creations, for example, using client artwork in a brochure we create, or encouraging our clients to claim their intellectual property.


Social justice - a definition


We learned in first year that there is no one accepted definition of social justice.  I am going to go with Aristotle: that we should treat the equal equally, and treat the unequal unequally.


Miller, Fred, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), forthcoming URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2011/entries/aristotle-politics/>.

To me, this means we take each person on their merits.  Occupational therapists work with people who are often disadvantaged by policy, because of illness or disability.  As an OT, social justice means to me that I cannot say "All people with multiple sclerosis will behave in x manner".  I have to treat each person on their individual merits while being an advocate for them to participate in society, regardless of what extra resources that requires.


Informed consent - a definition


In the New Zealand political context, we have a codified definition for informed consent - Right 6 of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights:

Right to be fully informed
(1) Every consumer has the right to the information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive, including—
  • (a) an explanation of his or her condition; and
  • (b) an explanation of the options available, including an assessment of the expected risks, side effects, benefits, and costs of each option; and
  • (c) advice of the estimated time within which the services will be provided; and
  • (d) notification of any proposed participation in teaching or research, including whether the research requires and has received ethical approval; and
  • (e) any other information required by legal, professional, ethical, and other relevant standards; and
  • (f) the results of tests; and
  • (g) the results of procedures.
(2) Before making a choice or giving consent, every consumer has the right to the information that a reasonable consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, needs to make an informed choice or give informed consent.
(3) Every consumer has the right to honest and accurate answers to questions relating to services, including questions about—
  • (a) the identity and qualifications of the provider; and
  • (b) the recommendation of the provider; and
  • (c) how to obtain an opinion from another provider; and
  • (d) the results of research.
(4) Every consumer has the right to receive, on request, a written summary of information provided.


For me, this means that as the patient, I cannot give consent to any procedure without all the relevant information, and that the health professional doesn't get to decide what is relevant, I do. In occupational therapy, this means letting our clients know what assessments and interventions we are carrying out and why.  This is a client-centred approach, in line with commentary from the former Commissioner of Health and Disability Services, Ron Paterson.


Paterson, R. (2003). Informed consent in New Zealand: Medical myths (Electronic version). The New Zealand Medical Journal, 116 (1183). Retrieved March 19, 2011, from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/116-1183/628/

2 comments:

  1. You're really on target here. Your posts address the content of the technical descriptions and your own comments and interpretations are present and thoughtful. I'd encourage you to keep exploring the tools blogs offer e.g RSS feeds to present information, or bring info to your blog.

    Keep up the good work and continue to post content

    ReplyDelete
  2. I also real like you intro to this blog. It provides both a view point as well as a justification. This technology can also be used to inform practice as well as meet the needs of clients. Great photos as well.
    James

    ReplyDelete