Come to an end :(

My blogging days are over and unfortionately this blog has come to end! I hope you have enjoyed reading my postings and I hope this has changed the way you think when you prepare/cook meals now!
Have a lovely day!
GOODBYE!

Blog Comments and References!

Below are the blogs I have commented on..

Kylie
Heath
Bree
Gracie

Below are the references I have used. Not all are from course material, but I have ensured to write a clear description for those that havent.

Aesthetics. (2011, October 19). Retrieved October 20, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics

Crepeau, E. (1994). A way of thinking about occupational performance. Analyzing occupation and activity , 190.

Gibson, J. (2005, August 8). Affordance. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from Motive Glossary: http://www.motive.co.nz/glossary/perceived-affordance.php

 Visser, M. (2011, September 12). Participation in occupation 2. Food/labour .

Adams, C. (2011). Ergonomics. Retrieved October 10, 2011, from About.com: http://ergonomics.about.com/od/ergonomicbasics/a/ergo101.htm

AMBIENCE

Ambience is the “character and atmosphere of a place”. (Ambience, 2011). Thus meaning the feelings you get when you enter a particular environment. In relation to cooking, it could refer to the smells you get when you walk into a room. Ever came home from school and mum has made a delightful banana cake on your arrival home? Or some delicious chocolate chip cookies? And the amazing smell goes right up your nostrils before you can even lay your eyes on what will soon be in your stomach.

This, to me is the most amazing homely smell; just thinking about it makes me feel at home. The last time i experienced this was when I went home for the weekend. I had text mum when I left Dunedin to say I was on my way home (i live in Invercargill, not far from home) she did her usual mum reply with “k” as she is not a fan of texting! As we drove home I thought about the food that may be in our cupboards that I could steal and take back to Dunedin. I’m too poor to buy nice food for myself; the only time I had treats was after going home for a weekend! As we neared home I became anxious and hungry, I prayed mum had made some dinner but I wasn’t sure as I remembered it was Friday night - usually a “get your own night”.

After two and a half hours of travelling I was finally home! I grabbed my bag from the car and waved my friend who took me home goodbye. I neared the door, it couldn’t be true, the smell of fresh roast had filled my nostrils! I couldn’t believe my luck I had to pinch myself. What a wonderful day I thought to myself. I made it inside and dumped my bags on the floor. The smells surrounded me as I plonked on the couch with a big smile on my face and waited for my dinner. I had never felt so at home.

This story shows how the ambience (in this case smells) gave me a sense of feeling at home and feeling comfortable.

Ambience. (2011). Retrieved October 18, 2011, from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ambience

AFFORDANCE CONTINUED

Affordance continued on from last weeks tutorial. This time discussing the aesthetics, spiritualy and history of cooking.

"We turn the consumption of food, a biological necessity, into a carefully cultured phenomenon.  We use eating as a medium for social relationships:  satisfaction of the most individual of needs becomes the means of creating community" (Visser,2011). This is a fantastic quote said by Visser taken from a powerpoint in participation in occupation I. This states that, although food is a necessity, we use it as an excuse to bring people together, creating friendships etc, not for the pure reason of needing it for survival.

 “Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty.” (Aesthetics, 2011). In relation to food, this is obviously very significant as food can be portrayed as a form of art. From cakes to exquisite meals, food can be sculptured into a magnificent piece of artwork or set on the plate in an interesting way. Food, of course, has different flavors, smells etc. This is all the things that make it appealing to the person eating it. If these things don’t appeal to the consumer, they will not enjoy it. When preparing a meal it is important to take these factors into consideration as this is what will satisfy you.

Another factor is the environment. For both the cooking and consuming process, the environment is an important factor. The environment the person is cooking in can alter their performance. For example, if the person was to cook in a kitchen with no power and just a coal range when they usually cook in a fully functional kitchen, this will refrain them from cooking to the best of their ability. Also, the environment where the food is consumed is equally important. If the environment is noisy or loud making it uncomfortable, the people consuming the food will not enjoy it as they would in a comfortable environment.

If we were to look at spirituality when cooking or preparing a meal, the most important factor to me would be the sense of meaning it provides. Cooking a meal for someone is a way of showing them that you accept them and care for them as you are willing to provide nutritional support for their body. Meals can be prepared for people out of thoughtfulness, for example, for someone in bereavement, going through a divorce, ill etc. The person who prepared the meal will gain a sense of meaning as they will have helped someone in need. Crepeau describes it as the fundamental of a persons life; that which motivates and inspires that individual. In this case, the person giving the food will gain satisfaction and have more incentive to continue doing this.

I have had quite a normal history of cooking and preparing meals. Like many other people, my mother and my grandmother taught me how to cook. In my opinion, it is a very special thing to get the opportunity to learn off family members the ideas and personal ways they have when cooking/preparing meals. It is important because it allows traditions to be passed down generations with meanings behind them. For example, my great grandmother had a special recipe for banana loaf, this was taught to my grandmother who taught my mother and now my mother has taught me. This is a very special loaf that is only made on special occasions. I feel privileged that I have the opportunity to pass this on to my off spring (in a few years of course!).

Aesthetics. (2011, October 19). Retrieved October 20, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics

Crepeau, E. (1994). A way of thinking about occupational performance. Analyzing occupation and activity , 190.

Visser, M. (2011, September 12). Participation in occupation 2. Food/labour .

AFFORDANCES

“Affordance is a term created by the perceptual psychologist J. J. Gibson to refer to the qualities of the physical world that suggest the possibility of interaction relative to the ability of an actor (person or animal) to interact.” (Gibson, 2005). This is the possibilities within your activity. The possibilities I will be discussing are communication properties, Moral properties and how the positive factors of cooking is connecting people.

Communication properties

The first communication property I would like to discuss is the need for communication when preparing a meal/learning to prepare a meal with another individual in regards to safety. The second is the importance of communicating effectively in order to prepare a meal properly.

In regards to safety, if you don’t communicate effectively when working alongside other individuals in the kitchen, it can cause accidents. It is important to inform others if, for example, you are carrying a hot pot from one destination to another. If people in the kitchen are not aware of others actions it will endanger their safety. It is important to speak up if you feel something you are doing is dangerous to others if they are unaware of it.

To prepare a meal correctly when working with another person it is important to communicate effectively. Meals could turn disastrous if there is a case of miscommunication! Ingredients can be doubled up, or worse, not put in at all! This will make the meal unenjoyable which will result in the mood changing when consuming the meal together. When humans indulge in a meal they enjoy, they will be happy and satisfied. When they indulge in a meal they do NOT enjoy, they will be annoyed and unsatisfied becoming slightly agitated as they could have eaten something else more enjoyable.

Moral properties + Connecting people

This is the good and bad aspects when preparing a meal. Let’s start with the bad and end with the good! There a not many bad aspects I can think of, apart from thinking of ideas to cook!! Living in a flat with 4 other girls, it is difficult to think of new and exciting ideas to cook. To make things more difficult, as we are students, we have limited money to spend on groceries each week so it is difficult to make anything too exciting! A good aspect however, is that it brings everybody together and connect as food is a “people magnet”. Preparing a meal for friends and family will bring them together at once and allow socialising and interaction to take place!

Gibson, J. (2005, August 8). Affordance. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from Motive Glossary: http://www.motive.co.nz/glossary/perceived-affordance.php

The last time I cooked..

The last time I engaged in this activity was an interesting experience. Living in a flat with four other girls and the end of the year nearing, it is important we use the ingredients we already have in our cupboards. I searched the cupboards for something magnificent to cook but nothing grabbed my attention! I knew I had to make something, but what?

Coming from a farm, I was lucky enough to supply my flat with meat for the year. There seemed to be a surplus of mince, so it seemed appropriate to start with mince. We also had pineapple, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, feta cheese and spaghetti pasta. I knew it was time to get creative! Pizzas!!

I decided to make two pizzas, one with spaghetti Bolognese as the topping, and the other would just be an ordinary topping consisting of bacon, cheese, pineapple and tomato. The hardest part was over, now I just had to make them! I whipped up some dough for the basis and rolled them into nice circles. Meanwhile, mince was browning in the electric fry pan ready for me to throw some pasta sauce in and season it. While that was simmering, I cooked my spaghetti pasta and grated some cheese for the pizzas. I used the left over pasta sauce to go on my pizza bases and sprinkled some cheese on. By the time this was completed, my mince and pasta were ready! I chose to mix them together as it would taste nicer and be more appropriate for a pizza topping. I spooned the mixture onto one of the pizza bases and spooned some salsa on top. I lay some nicely cut feta cheese on top and my first pizza was ready for the oven! On to the second... This pizza was simple and easy to prepare. I opened a can of pineapple, cut it into bite sized pieces and lay it onto my already cheesed pizza base. I the sliced some bacon and sprinkled that over also. I sliced a nice big tomato and lay it nicely on top, a squirt of tomato sauce and the second pizza was ready for the oven!!

In the oven both pizzas went and to the sink I went. The dishes piled high and flour everywhere, this was going to take awhile! I began the long hard journey of completing the dishes, what a mission! Finally the pizzas were ready, I called out to my flat mates and apologised for the interesting meal I had just prepared. Finally it was time to sit down and relax with my flat mates over dinner. This was usually the only time we were able to have a conversation and relax. Funny how food can bring people together, even interesting food like a spaghetti Bolognese pizza.....

ERGONOMICS

“Ergonomics derives from two Greek words: ergon, meaning work, and nomoi, meaning natural laws, to create a word that means the science of work and a person’s relationship to that work.” (Adams, 2011) This, meaning how the person can comfortably and efficiently complete the task with the resources within that environment.  Here, i will explain the ergonomics of the person, environment and activity when making a meal.

In regards to person, it is important the person has the means to complete the activity. By means, I am implying time, money and capabilities. It is important the person has sufficient time to prepare, cook and, of course, indulge in the meal. Knowing and allowing sufficient time is a skill the person must have, for example, if the person has limited time they will obviously not have time to prepare, cook and indulge in a roast. They will have to choose something easier and less time consuming, e.g. noodles or soup!

The environment is another important factor when cooking and preparing a meal. Obviously, meals are usually prepared in the kitchen! Power and correct equipment are essential to cook a proper meal. Another factor is the atmosphere. For example, if you are preparing a meal for a dinner party or are entertaining friends, there will be people socialising in the kitchen which will result in a change in the whole dynamics of the meal preparation process.

The activity itself involves steps the person must take to successfully complete the task. When making a meal, the end result will be expected therefore the same steps will need to be taken for every time that meal is made. For example; if the person is making a cheese sauce, the butter will need to be melted in the pot first, then the flour will be added forming a doughy mix, then the milk will be added and lastly the grated cheese. This is a simple recipe for cheese sauce that is followed in this exact order every time it is made.

I have just outlined what I think are the most important ergonomic factors in terms of person, occupation and activity when preparing a meal.

Adams, C. (2011). Ergonomics. Retrieved October 10, 2011, from About.com: http://ergonomics.about.com/od/ergonomicbasics/a/ergo101.htm

WELL HELLO I AM BACK!

Back for another semester of blogging, exept this time for Participation in Occupation II wahoo!! This blog will be a little different from the last! I will be blogging about a particular activity I engage in at least two hours a week. What is this activity I hear you ask??
COOKING!


The pure reason is my love for cooking and the meaning behind it. Cooking is something that i engage in often and is an activity that brings people together. To enable me to choose cooking as my activity, i must engage in it at least two hours a week which is easy as it is something i enjoy!

Why did i choose cooking?

Cooking to me, is a very meaningful activity as I believe food is an essence to bringing people together. For example, cooking a delicious feast for a group of people (could be family, friends etc) will welcome them and bring them together. Living in a flat with four other girls, we each are designated a night to cook during the week. Preparing meals for one another is a time consuming task as we usually put a lot of effort in and we are all aware of the importance of eating a balanced diet.

Meal time at our flat is important for us all, as we are all busy students, meal times are usually the only times we can talk and chatter together. Being young females, this is obviously very important to us!! 

How is it used in Occupational Therapy?

Cooking can be part of survival for a human being. Without it, substantial meals will not be eaten regularly and humans could not survive. Cooking is an important activity of daily living, it can be something as simple as putting a piece of toast in the toaster. During my placement, I was involved in kitchen assessments done by patients. This was not only to examine their mobility around the kitchen, but to test if they were capable of cooking a substantial meal for themselves. Cooking is a meaningful activity that most humans want to be capable of doing.

Practical Considerations

To be able to cook it is important to have the correct ingredients and cooking facilities. We usually do our flat shops together and decide what we will make for tea that week to ensure we buy the correct ingredients. As we are all given a night a week to cook, it is our own responsibility to manage our time and study effectively so we have time to make a decent meal for the flat.   

THANK YOU AND GOODBYE

Unfortionately, my blogging career has come to an end and it is time to say goodbye!! Hope you have enjoyed my blog and have been able to learn something!!
Until next time.
Kayla over and out!

Tutorial Eight: Assistive Technology

This last post will provide a definition on Assistive Technology; I will elaborate on this and provide an example of a piece of assistive technology.

“Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible” (what is assistive technology, 2006). This term means that products designed for individuals will maintain independence (to a certain degree) for disabled people. This term may be used to mean an assistive device, but more commonly denotes some kind of electronic or computerized device that helps a disabled person to function more easily in the world. Examples of assistive technology include devices that allow people to control a computer with the mouth, keyboards that can "speak" for mute individuals, and closed captioning systems that help the hearing impaired enjoy television shows and videos.

During the assistive technology tutorial one device that was introduced was the I pad! Like most newer technology, I pad’s are small expensive and are full of applications and games! The applications and games on this device can benefit both cognitive and physically challenged individuals. I pad’s are a touch screen device which enable the user to physically touch the buttons on the screen. I pad’s are a great rehabilitation device and are especially helpful for patients such as stroke patients! I pad's are so versatile and almost every individual with a disability is able to use them! Including the blind! Watch this video!

what is assistive technology. (2006, September 30). Retrieved April 6, 2011, from AccessIT: http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109

Tutorial Seven - Linking to blogs of interest and exchanging comments

This blog of interest is by Elisabeth Tankard,
http://elisabethtankard.blogspot.com/2011/05/completion.html?showComment=1305457472343#c3810810419886694080
I have written a blog comment on here as I was quite interested in her blog! CHECK IT OUT!

The second blog of interest is an OT blog. http://otstudents.blogspot.com/
This blog is about a female and her journey after graduating from OT school. This is quite a good blog and interesting to follow her experiences!

Another great blog I found was from another OT student, Heath. I also left a comment. Check it out.
http://birdman2011.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutorial-6.html?showComment=1305458121505#c5774625195785029242

These are two other excellent blogs I couldn't help but comment on! Both have loads of information on them! Check them out!
Gracie Prisk: http://gracieprisk.blogspot.com/
Jasmine Moot: http://jasminemoot12.blogspot.com/

Tutorial Six - The internet and online communities

The three online communities I have chosen to elaborate on are


Facebook
YouTube
Google


Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. As of January 2011 Facebook has more than 600 million active users. Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile. Additionally, users may join common interest user groups, organized by workplace, school or college, or other characteristics. The name of the service stems from the colloquial name for the book given to students at the start of the academic year by university administrations in the United States to help students get to know each other better. Facebook allows anyone who declares themselves to be at least 13 years old to become a registered user of the website.


YouTube is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. Unregistered users may watch videos, and registered users may upload an unlimited number of videos. Videos that are considered to contain potentially offensive content are available only to registered users 18 and older. YouTube is now operates as a subsidy of Google. Billions of users use YouTube everyday.


Google is an international search engine. Search can be filtered to provide information from New Zealand only. Billions of users use it every day to educate themselves and find out information.


Users of facebook choose to sign up to the social networking site in order to speak to other people such as friends and family online. Facebook is a cool and exciting way of communicating. People whom sign up to facebook are seeking new friends or are wanting to catch up with old friends. Information shared via facebook can sometimes breach privacy acts and personal information can be released to people the user is unfamiliar with. If pages are set under 'private' users cannot gain access.


Users of YouTube either watch video clips and/or upload clips for people to view. Users who upload videos are seeking people to watch their videos and get their ideas out into the community. Videos on YouTube are usually put on so lots viewers are able to see them. Users who view the videos on YouTube are usually trying to educate themselves or just watch the video clip for that latest song they heard on the radio!

Users of Google either put information on Google or search Google. Google is an especially good tool for finding out information and educating yourself. iGoogle is a new-ish Google in which is set as your home profile and you are able to personalise with weather updates etc.

Because Facebook is a social networking page, unfortionatly I am unable to copy and paste information form the website. Below you will find copies from YouTube and Google:

This is a rap on YouTube in which two passionate girls did about OT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDP1-gcDcAI


All three chosen websites are a world wide phenomenon. Almost everywhere has knowledge of these sites or has acces to them. In some ways, this is dangerous, especially for facebook. This is because anybody in the world can gain access to a complete strangers account and learn information about them. YouTube, however, can be of an advantage being a world wide website as people from all over the world are able to upload videos, this can educate everyone on different cultures, perspectives etc!

Tutorial Five - Video Production Settings

YouTube has only been around for a little more than half a decade, yet as of 2010, was the third most visited online site, next to Google and facebook (Admin, 2010). YouTube is a website which allows you to upload and watch videos for free. Uploading a video to YouTube allows almost everybody to see it, giving the user little ability to restrict to any particular audience. YouTube videos are not only viewed on their website, links are made on other sources where you are able to watch the video. Examples of this blog postings like this one - see below for YouTube videos and facebook. It is likely that YouTube will continue to grow and develop new ideas. This is a link to the famous YouTube! Although I am sure you are well aware what it is!

Admin. (2010, December 8). a summary of youtubes short history. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from Digital History: http://digitalhistory.org/a-summary-of-youtubes-short-biography.htm

During this blog we were asked to decide and share on a topic of interest that we feel familiar with from a placement experience. My first placement was at Kew Hospital in Invercargill working in acute physical. During this placement I met some amazing people with so much will power. I also got to see some satisfying results in the short four weeks I was there. Below are some videos in which relate to my placement.


This video is so good to watch! Such a heart warming feeling to watch the amazing work of occupational therapists. This video is physical care but is a long rehabilitation process. I wanted to share it with the world
Enjoy!

The second video I wish to share with you is about post surgical care. I was exposed to a lot of this kind of care during my four week placement.

This next video shows equipment used for a total hip replacement post operation. However, the hints and tips provided are used for many other physical disabilities. I learnt a lot about these pieces of equipment and hints during my placement.

This video discusses how to do correct transfers. I was shown correct ways to transfer on my fieldwork one placement. I observed patients transfer on and off bath seat, onto raised toilet seats, on and off their wheelchairs etc. This video shows how to perform a correct technique when transferring off a bed in many different situations.

The last video shows an assissted stand pivot transfer. This transfer is used when a patient can sit, stand, pivot and bear some weight on their legs but is experiencing some weakness or loss of balance or sensation that requires assistance to transfer safely. This was a technique also demonstrated on my fieldwork one placement.

These five videos all are interesting to watch and have some great information in them! they all relate to my fieldwork experience in a physical setting! Hope you enjoyed :)

Tutorial Two: Digital Imaging

This blog will explore digital imaging and its benefits and disadvantages in relation to older models of cameras and images. It will also cover the meanings of software and hardware and the familiarities I have with them. I will discuss the ways in which occupational therapists can use digital imaging in their practice and provide an example of my own experiences. ENJOY!

"Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices" (Hardware, 2005). Hardware devices can be peripheral, external hardware devices that can be plugged into a computer or components, internal hardware parts of a computer. Below is a list of hardware devices in which I am familiar with and their category.

• Hard drives - component
• Motherboards - component
• RAM - component
• Monitor - peripheral
• Keyboard - peripheral
• Mouse - peripheral
• Printer - peripheral
• Scanner - peripheral

Hardware. (2005). Retrieved April 11, 2011, from Teach Terms:http://www.techterms.com/definition/hardware

"Software is a general term for the various types of programmes used to operate computers and related devices" (Doig, 1997).

Below are a list examples of software I am familiar with:

• Microsoft Office
• Disk defragmenters
• Spyware

Doig, M. (1997, November 3). Software. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from SearchSOA.com: http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/software

Digital Imaging

Digital Imaging is the creation of digital images, typically from a physical scene. I will provide three examples of the use of digital imaging and explain these. Firstly, capturing images on a digital camera enables the user to release the information on the camera in many ways. The camera stores the information where the user can get the photos printed off, save them to the computer or put them on the internet. This way the information on the camera is sent to a widespread community of people where everyone (usually just friends and family!) are able to enjoy the images taken! Secondly, a cool way in which movies are made is from photos put together to create a motion movie. This movie is put on you tube, in which billions of users have the opportunity to watch it. Putting movies and films on you tibe can educate people and spread information. Click this link to watch a cool short film taken from still images and made into a motion film. Lastly, another way to use imaging to provide information is through scanning documents and images onto a computer. Scanning a document or photo takes an image of the document and copies it onto the computer. From this, you are then able to save the information onto the computer, print it off, send it to a friend or put it on the internet. The information is then spread to a wider group of people.  

"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"

In relation to digital cameras this statement is not necessarily true. New generation digital cameras have many benefits in which, in fact, make them more superior than old film models. These benefits are listed below:

·         A digital camera doesn't require a roll of film. This means you don't have to buy film, drive to the store and wait for it to be developed.

·         You can take a lot more photos with a digital camera and print out only the ones you like. The number of pictures you can take with a film camera is limited to the number of exposures allowed on the film. If you want to take more pictures, you have to buy and load more rolls. Most of today's digital cameras enable you to take literally hundreds or even thousands of photos by simply adding an inexpensive add-on memory module.
Digital cameras eliminate this wasted expense.

·         You can preview your photos right on the camera or on your computer screen, then print only the ones you like and simply delete the rest!

·         You can print your photos yourself, either on an inexpensive ink-jet printer or a dedicated photo printer. No more trips to the developer or waiting for your pictures to come back.

·         The resolution (megapixels) of even the least expensive digital cameras is now high enough to allow you to take very high quality photos.

·         The prices of digital cameras have dropped to the point where you can buy a top of the line model for less than the cost of a quality film camera

Although there are many benefits, there are also a slight few disadvantages of digital cameras in comparisson to older film models. These include:

• Digital requires greater battery consumption
• Poor low-light performance
• Potential equipment failures
• Digital has a steeper learning curve

Because technology is every changing, older model film cameras will soon not be an option or for that matter, be available. Digital is, and will remain force, in the photo universe. This suggests that digital cameras will always be preference. That is unless, of course, new imaging technology is introduced.

Bourne, S. (2005). Digital photo guide. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from Flying Sam: http://flyingsamphoto.com/digital-photo-guide-art-adv-disadv-digital-photo.shtml

The advantages of digital cameras. (2003). Retrieved April 11, 2011, from RLROUSE directory and information resources: http://www.rlrouse.com/digital-camera.html

ETHICS

With particular softwares etc, images are now becoming more and more manipulated. Because softwares such as 'photoshop' are a trendy activity and so easily accessible, many images are photoshopped without the persons consent. It is almost impossible to decipher if an image has been manipulated or not.

Tampering with original photos can change the meaning completly from what the image is suggesting. This link shows a range of photos that have been manipulated and explains the real meanings behind them. Manipulating photos, especially for the media, can release false messages or information of those involved.

Digital images taken are simply uploaded to the internet and onto social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. Sometimes images are taken of people without their consent and put on social networking sites. Social networking sites are a widespread group of people from all over the world. Putting images up without consent can breach a persons privacy, once an image is on the internet it is almost impossible to control.

Digital images can be used in occupational therapy as a communication tool. Non-verbal patients are able to communicate effectively by showing or looking at images and pointing to explain their wants/needs or just to communicate with another person. During my fieldwork two placement I had the opportunity to work with non-verbal patients. Each day I was present one client in particular was allowed to go on an outting. The client was given a choice of three to four options of where she wanted to go or the activity she wanted to do. She was given the photographs of the options and was able to point at her desired choice. This was an effective way as she was able to independantly make her own choices.

Tutorial One - Information Technology and Ethical Issues

This first blog posting will focus and expand on our first tutorial, Information Technology (IT) and the Ethical Issues surrounding it. During this post I will provide definitions of IT as well as Intellectual Property, Social Justice and Informed Consent. This post will discuss the link between IT and our society and expand on the ways in which occupational therapists can use it in their intervention plans. I will provide some of my own opinions and experiences (from fieldwork 1) with IT and my thoughts and feelings on this.

Information Technology – A Definition:

"We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as necessary." (Scheider, 2010). To me, this definition describes IT as being responsible for managing information. This is extremely important, especially for large companies/businesses because without it, information would be unoganised, data would not be electronically documented and much confusion would be caused. IT has become essential in the world we live in today. With technology growing so rapidly, IT is extremely important in the 20th century. There are many IT devices in which Occupational Therapists (OT's) use in their treatment plans such as video games and other small electronics which help in the intervention of particular patients. I will expand on this further in my blog.
 Scheider, L. (2010). Information Technology. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from About.com: http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/careersintechnology/p/ITDefinition.htm

In our society today, IT is excessively used and so common that it barely crosses our mind everytime we use it. Humans of the 20th century live a busy lifestyle and it is almost impossible to go a day without using technology. Technology is now classed as a main source of information as well as communication. A large portion of the population have their own computers, cellphones and access to internet; all of these things are commonly used for communication purposes. Generation Y are the largest users of communication via IT. Alot of these sources of communication are social networks from the internet such as facebook, twitter, bebo and myspace. These allow humans to communicate effectively but because of their large widespread audience can become dangerous in situations of giving out personal information to a stranger or identity theft. Fortionately, with ever growing changes this can now be stopped and users are warned before they agree to using these kinds of social networks. A safer and more 'user friendly' source of communication is a simple e-mail. With the tap of a keyboard, a click of a mouse, a press of a button a human can communicate with another human in a totally different country within minutes, maybe seconds. This is a short funny film I found on you tube involving the use of e-mail. The film doesn't really give a lot of information about e-mail and it is not used correctly as a proper e-mail but I found it entertaining and thought you might too....

Mannsymphony. (2009, December 9). you tube. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from 15th century e-mail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey24x-5INkU&feature=related

There are many IT devices in which I have access to in my everyday life. Like a majority of teenagers in generation Y, I am lucky enough to own my own cellphone, laptop and ipod. Because I use these devices on a regular basis I feel competent and very capable using them. I have become so comfortable with using these devices that I no longer have to think about it. The IT device in which I use most frequently is definately my cell phone. I have this for both communication purposes and also for security. Having a cellphone allows me to communinate effectively with friends and family and, sadly enough, has become a large social aspect in my life. I feel competant using my own cellphone however, with ever changing technology newer cellphones have become more complex to use. Because of this, it is usually difficult to use a cellphone that the user is unfamiliar with. However, because of my age and generation, I have grown up with ever changing technology and am confident I can master new and exciting things (with practise!).

  

Information Technology is used effectively in Occupational Therapy (OT) practise to further knowledge and to gain information. OT's can use IT to store information about clients, gain information about clients, research useful data and much more! A great example would be in a hospital setting where an OT works within a multidisciplinary team, every member from the multidisciplinary team can gain access to the data base and are able to write their own data in. This updates automatically so if there is a sudden change within a situation or the client, this would be written on the data base ensuring the team is aware of this information when they read client notes. During my first fieldwork experience, I was introduced to many great ways that IT is used; one of which was to hire equipment from the equipment store located on site. Therapists have their own individual log in to the site in which they can gain access to the site, the site holds information on which equipment is at the store, how many there are and if they are available to hire. Once the therapist chooses which piece/s of equipment they deem necessary, they press some buttons, click the mouse and it gets sent to the equipment store soon to be delivered to the therapist within minutes!

Over the past few decades, OT's have adopted IT systems within their practise. There are many issues around OT's using IT systems as they often feel they have little access to Internet usage and many health professionals have concerns about using IT systems because of confidentiality, professionalism and self-protection issues. All health professionals hold different views on this subject but some feel obliged to use IT systems. (Baerlocher & Detsky, 2008).

IT is ever changing, Ocupational Therapists will often have the stresses of keeping up, learning and coping with change and systems. (Sunderland, 2010)

However, some IT tools can be helpful to use within practise with particular clients. For example, video games can be useful for clients with cognital and/or physical difficulties. This type of practise is commonly directed at a younger population as it is a 'fun' way of involving them in intervention. I think this is a great way to involve children in rehabilitation and is a successful way to do so!

 Baerlocher, M.O. & Detsky, A.S. (2008). Online medical blogging: Don't do it!,(3), 292

 Sunderland, J. (2010). Moodle. Retrieved April 13, 2011, from Otago Polytechnic: http://moodle.op.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?r=63672&frameset=ims&page=3

There are many ethical issues that arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring information via IT devices. The main issues involved are privacy, security and control. Privacy is a large ethical issue with health professionals as many people can access IT systems and gain information they are forbidden to see. This is dangerous as most health professionals hold private confidential information about their clients.

Security is a serious issue that must be enforced when using IT systems. Terrible things happen on the internet such as identity theft etc, it is essential all information has a security check, especially confidential information.

Control is also a very serious ethical issue. The internet is a large world with an extremely widespread audience. Information posted on the internet has the potential to become uncontrollable because of unlimited access.

DEFINITIONS -

Intellectual Property -

"Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce" (What is intellectual property, 2009)
Intellectual property is broken up into two categories. The first category being industrial property. This consists of inventions (patients), trademarks, industrial designs, and geographic indications of source. Copyright, however, consists of literary and artistic works. Examples of these include novels, poems, plays, films, drawings paintings and photographs. Occupational Therapists are creative by design, and as enablers of occupational engagement they often develop innovative assisstive technology within their clinical settings yet have 'small voices' and it becomes difficult for them to commersialize their intellectual property.

What is intellectual property. (2009). Retrieved April 2011, 13 , from Wipo:http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/

Social Justice -

Social Justice is referred to as the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society (Social Justice, 2003). This suggests that all persons of each gender, possessions, race, religion etc be treated equally without prejudice. Social justice should be recognised significantly within OT practise as it is extremely important all clients are treated the same, with respect and dignity. No aspect of any individual should change the way they are treated. This is not just suggested to health professionals, but to each and every human being. 

Social Justice. (2003). Retrieved April 13, 2011, from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/social+justice

Informed Consent -

Informed consent is a legal procedure a patient must follow before being involved in any type of surgery or intervention. (Cherry, 2011). By doing this procedure the patient or client will become aware of any risks and costs involved with the treatment, possible alternative treatments and potiential risks and benefits of the treatment. In order for a patient/client to complete one of these they must be fully competent and the consent should be given unvoluntarily. OT's and other health practitioners use informed consent to protect and individuals right to security of the person, enhance communication and the special relationship of trust between therapist and client, to avoid ligitation as a risk management measure and to assist individuals to make decisions about their care. (Hobson,2001).

Cherry, K. (2011). What is informed consent? Retrieved April 13, 2011, from About.com: http://psychology.about.com/od/iindex/g/def_informedcon.htm

Have It? Hobson, S. Informed Consent for Occupational Therapy Treatment: Do youOT NOW. September/October, 2001