An essential aspect of digital citizenship in Finland is the use of Kela services. I regularly use Kela\u2019s digital platforms for both personal and family-related matters. Commonly used services include compensation for private healthcare expenses, child and family benefits, and various health-related applications. Reimbursements for prescription medications are also integrated into the system automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An essential aspect of digital citizenship in Finland is the use of Kela services. I regularly use Kela\u2019s digital platforms for both personal and family-related matters. Commonly used services include compensation for private healthcare expenses, child and family benefits, and various health-related applications. Reimbursements for prescription medications are also integrated into the system automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I am working while I study as a Master of Healthcare, I am not using that much KELA supports. During my studies, I had to pay the student healthcare fee to Kela even though I did not need to use the services at all because I already had comprehensive occupational healthcare coverage. I have European health care card and it\u2019s with me if I go on vacation abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OmaKanta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I can view my personal health information through OmaKanta, Finland\u2019s official electronic health record service. I access the service using secure authentication, most often through online banking credentials or a mobile ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After logging in, I can review my medical records, prescriptions, laboratory test results, and other healthcare information in one location. The service is user-friendly and accessible whenever needed, making it easy and convenient to monitor my own health data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keva<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keva is an important part of Finland\u2019s social security system, particularly for employees in the public sector. It functions as the pension provider for public sector workers, ensuring that pension benefits are accumulated and paid correctly to those employed, for example, by municipalities, wellbeing services counties, the state or the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keva is responsible for paying various types of pensions, including old-age and disability pensions. However, its role extends beyond retirement benefits. During working life, it also promotes employees\u2019 ability to work and overall well-being by offering rehabilitation and preventive support services. The goal is to enable people to remain in working life for as long as possible while maintaining good health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My minimum retirement age is currently 66 years and 5 months, although it has not yet been officially confirmed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Online shopping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Digitalization has significantly impacted physical stores, as a large share of retail has shifted to online platforms. I live in a quite big city, and there are many stores available with a good selection of products. However, I regularly shop online because of lower prices and an even wider range of options. I prefer to buy clothes from local stores rather than online if I can find what I\u2019m looking for in my own city. However, I almost always purchase goods and services online. I tend to purchase products or services directly from the official website rather than platforms like Amazon. This allows me to be confident that the item is genuine and that I can access reliable customer support if necessary. Although prices on Amazon can sometimes be lower, I do not find the platform convincing enough to choose it for ordering. Entering payment details on a website does not feel fully secure to me, even though it most likely is. For this reason, I prefer ordering directly from official websites, as in my experience they also tend to offer faster delivery. I ordered from Amazon once and then the delivery took several weeks. I do not see Amazon as unreliable, but factors such as customer service availability, delivery speed and confidence in product authenticity strongly influence my purchasing decisions, even if Amazon sometimes offers lower prices. I often compare different official retailer websites and choose the most affordable option rather than using a large online marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OmaPirte<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Private healthcare services have undergone extensive digital transformation, which is a significant benefit and has improved accessibility for patients. OmaPirte is an application that can be used by occupational healthcare clients of the Pirkanmaa wellbeing county. OmaPirte offers modern and easy-to-use online services. Through its app or website, users can book appointments, check available times and use Digi-clinic. Similar services are also available in the Pirkanmaa wellbeing services county, such as the digital clinic of Pirkanmaa hyvinvointialue. In the public sector, responses from healthcare professionals may be slower, but the service operates on the same principle as in the private sector. If the condition or issue that prompted contact requires a doctor\u2019s appointment, getting an appointment in the public sector may be more difficult than in private healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digital gap<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Digitalization brings many advantages, but it also contributes to a digital divide that can create serious difficulties for people who are unable or unwilling to use online services. Those who lack of digital skills, do not have access to suitable technology or feel uncertain about using digital platforms may find it challenging to handle everyday activities such as banking, booking healthcare appointments or communicating with public authorities. This can result in social exclusion, greater reliance on others and barriers to essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Older people, individuals with disabilities and those in a weaker financial situation are especially vulnerable. As more services move online, it is crucial to maintain alternative ways of accessing them and to provide adequate support and guidance. This helps ensure that digitalization does not widen inequality or leave already vulnerable groups at a disadvantage in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digital competence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My results of digital competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on the results, my strongest areas are social awareness, collaboration, and active participation. I still need improvement in configuration and automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-evaluation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While completing the assignment, I became more aware of just how significant a role digitalization plays in everyday life today. It is almost impossible to manage daily tasks without staying up to date with digital developments. When I reflected on my own use of digital services, I realized that it is continuous and present in almost everything I do. The assignments related to digitalization encouraged me to reflect on my own abilities and my use of digital services. They prompted me to consider my level of digital competence more critically. Everyday tasks such as online banking, booking appointments and using various applications are already straightforward for me and I feel that I am managing well with the ongoing development of digitalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n REFERENCES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.kanta.fi\/omakanta<\/a> [Accessed 9 May 2026].<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.kela.fi\/henkiloasiakkaat<\/a> [Accessed 9 May 2026].<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.keva.fi\/<\/a> [Accessed 9 May 2026].<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/pirha.fi\/asiakkaalle\/asioi-digitaalisesti\/omapirha\/digiklinikka<\/a> [Accessed 9 May 2026].<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.pirte.fi\/<\/a> [Accessed 9 May 2026].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comments I left:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pilvi’s site: https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/pilvikivinen\/digi-citizen\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Iida’s site: https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/iidamoilanen\/digi-citizen\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tiina’s site: https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/tiinakorhonen3\/digi-citizen\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today, digital citizenship refers to the ability to use digital services in a safe, responsible and efficient way in everyday life. In Finland, many important public and private services are provided digitally, making digital competence an essential part of active participation in society. Kela An essential aspect of digital citizenship in Finland is the use … Continue reading DIGI CITIZEN<\/span> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/anneahoranta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15629\/2026\/05\/image.png\")
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