Ethical issues around telecare: the views of people with intellectual disabilities and people with dementia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the views of people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) and people with dementia (PWD) on the ethical issues around assistive technology and telecare (AT&T).

Design/methodology/approach

Two focus groups were convened twice to discuss and validate the topic areas/results of a Delphi study on the ethical issues around telecare. The focus groups comprised five PWID and five PWD, respectively.

Findings

Participants' ratings indicated that they felt there were important ethical issues around seven areas related to AT&T: motivation for telecare, risk, assessment and review, consent, privacy, social isolation and equipment installation.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study with relatively few participants so the results cannot be generalised.

Originality/value

People receiving AT&T have strong opinions on the related ethical issues and it is important that these views are heard. This study provides that opportunity.

Citation

Perry, J. and Beyer, S. (2012), "Ethical issues around telecare: the views of people with intellectual disabilities and people with dementia", Journal of Assistive Technologies, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/17549451211214382