I started my nursing career in 2003 and indeed have observed remarkable progress in digital healthcare over the past two decades. Finland’s national Kanta system offers an integrated platform for electronic health records (EHRs), e-prescriptions and patient access via My Kanta Pages (OmaKanta), allowing smooth information exchange between hospitals, primary health care services and pharmacies while promoting efficient, patient-focused care.
The Impact of the General data protection and risks of open digital society
The aims of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are to strengthen individuals’ rights and freedom, reinforce the internal market dimension, consider the global nature of data protection and improve the enforcement of data protection rules. The regulation seeks to establish a modern, robust, consistent and comprehensive data protection framework across the European Union. It also aims to increase trust in online services and thereby support the development of the EU’s digital internal market.
GPDR has influenced my life in both positive and negative ways, particularly in my professional role. On the positive side, GPDR has strengthened the protection of personal and sensitive data. In my work as a nurse, I deal with highly confidential patient information, and the regulation ensures that it is handled securely and responsibly. It has also enhanced trust between clients and professionals. Moreover, it has increased my awareness of data privacy, both in my work and in my everyday life.
On the negative side, GPDR has added complexity to daily work tasks. It requires more time for documentation and careful data handling. There are also strict limitations on information sharing, which can sometimes make collaboration between professionals more challenging. In certain situations, GDPR can feel complicated and contribute to a higher administrative workload.
Digitalization brings clear advantages in efficiency and information accessibility, but it also introduces significant ethical and societal challenges. In a data-driven world, decisions are increasingly shaped by automated systems and algorithms are not always transparent. This can lead to imbalances of power between individuals and organizations, especially when people have limited awareness of how their personal data is handled or how automated decisions are determined.
Questions for ChatGPT and Summaries of Its Answers
Two questions were asked from ChatGPT:
- How might artificial intelligence affect the care of palliative patients in the future?
- Could artificial intelligence replace a nurse in end-of-life care in the future?
ChatGPT responded that artificial intelligence could influence palliative care in several meaningful ways, though its role will likely remain supportive rather than central. One major impact may be improved symptom management. AI systems can analyze patient data, such as pain levels, medication responses, and vital signs, to help clinicians anticipate and better control symptoms like pain, nausea or breathlessness. This could lead to more timely and personalized care.
AI might also enhance communication and decision-making. For example, predictive models could help estimate disease progression, giving patients, families and healthcare providers clearer information when discussing care goals or end-of-life planning. However, these tools need to be used carefully, as uncertainty and individual variation remain significant.
Another potential benefit is reducing the administrative burden on healthcare professionals. By automating documentation or organizing patient information, AI could allow clinicians to spend more time on direct, compassionate interaction, which is especially important in palliative settings.
There are also challenges. Ethical concerns around privacy, bias in algorithms and the risk of over-reliance on technology must be addressed. Importantly, palliative care is deeply human-centered, focusing on empathy, dignity and emotional support. AI cannot replace these aspects but may help support professionals in delivering them more effectively. AI has the potential to improve efficiency, personalization and foresight in palliative care, but it should complement—not replace—the human elements that are essential to this field.
To the second question, ChatGPT answered that, it’s very unlikely that artificial intelligence will fully replace a nurse in end-of-life care. Palliative and hospice care rely heavily on human presence, empathy, ethical judgment, and the ability to respond sensitively to emotional and spiritual needs. Those are qualities that AI cannot genuinely replicate.
That said, AI could play a supportive role. It might help monitor symptoms, suggest adjustments in care plans, or reduce administrative workload, allowing nurses to spend more time with patients and their families. It could also assist in identifying subtle changes in a patient’s condition earlier than humans might notice. However, end-of-life care is not just about managing physical symptoms. It involves comforting patients, supporting families, navigating complex emotions and respecting deeply personal values and cultural practices. These aspects require human connection and trust. In short, AI may become a valuable tool in hospice care, but it is far more likely to augment nurses’ work rather than replace them.
Based on both ChatGPT’s answers and extensive work experience, it will be impossible to replace the provision of end-of-life care with artificial intelligence in the future. End-of-life care is highly sensitive, and I do not see AI being able to replace human interaction. However, it is encouraging that in the future AI can help ease nurses’ workload, allowing more time for genuine interaction.
Self-Evaluation
These assignments helped me revisit and strengthen my understanding of the GDPR. The ChatGPT assignment underscored the need for critical thinking when working with AI-generated content. Although the responses were generally clear and relevant, they tended to stay quite general and did not always offer deeper insight. I’m especially interested in following how digital tools and artificial intelligence continue to evolve each year, and how their role in healthcare changes over time. I have previously used AI mainly to check language or clarify concepts. I would approach trusting AI-generated information with caution, especially if I don’t already have prior knowledge of the topic.
REFERENCES
ChatGPT. Web page. Available at: ChatGPT [Accessed 26 April 2026].
GDPR.EU. What is GDPR, the EU’s new data protection law?. Web page. Available at: What is GDPR, the EU’s new data protection law? – GDPR.eu [Accessed 26 April 2026].
SOTE. AI Ecosystem in Social and Health Services (SOTE). Web page. Available at: AI Ecosystem in Social and Health Services (SOTE) – DigiFinland [Accessed 26 April 2026].
Comments I left:
Inga’s site: https://blogi.savonia.fi/ingachirvanen/digi-society/
Aleksi’s site: https://blogi.savonia.fi/digitrip/digi-society/