Experiences of the Finnish social and health systems (Kela, Omakanta and Keva)
Currently, the only Kela service I use is the student healthcare fee for higher education students, which I pay once a year directly through Kela’s website. There is no separate notification for this invoice, so every student must take care of it themselves. I use regular medication, so I can monitor the accumulation of the medicine reimbursement ceiling through the site. I have also participated in multidisciplinary rehabilitation through Kela, for which I applied via Kela’s website. Previously, our family received child benefits from Kela, but now our children are adults. One of them is working, while the other is about to start studies soon, which means she can apply for student financial aid from Kela. I have had a European Health Insurance Card for a long time. Once ordered, it is automatically renewed.
I log into Omakanta using strong authentication through my online banking credentials. Through Omakanta, I track my health records, laboratory results, and renew my prescriptions. If needed, I can print my COVID-19 vaccination certificate from Omakanta. I use Omakanta regularly and find it easy to navigate.Through Keva, I was able to check that my minimum retirement age is 66 years and 2 months, though it has not yet been finalized. My target retirement age, according to the system, is 67 years and 10 months. I still have a long career ahead of me, as I will turn 50 this summer. If I manage to work until the age of 70, I will receive a significantly higher pension than if I retire at 63 or 66 years.
Online Shopping and Services
I tested the Trivago website and noticed that it now allows users to book accommodations from private hosts as well. The website seemed quite reliable and versatile. At the very least, it was very easy to use and clear. Usually, I book accommodations directly through a specific hotel chain’s website to take advantage of customer loyalty discounts.
I generally use online stores more than traditional brick-and-mortar shops. I am tall and have a large build for a woman, so I find it easier to buy clothes and shoes online. Over the past year, I have purchased almost all the shoes and clothes I needed through Vinted, which is an online marketplace similar to a digital flea market. Since I know my measurements well, it is easy for me to buy clothes without trying them on. The selection on Vinted is extensive, and I believe it makes more sense to buy second-hand or discounted new items rather than brand-new items from retail stores.
Moodle Learning Platform
In my work, I use the Moodle learning platform extensively, creating a dedicated Moodle course for each study module I teach. The Moodle course includes the learning objectives, content, schedule, learning materials, assignments, submission areas, and potentially also exams. Moodle is an open-source learning platform widely used in education and online courses. With Moodle, I can create interactive learning environments where students can progress at their own pace and utilize various learning methods. Students can participate in discussions, collaborate in group work, and receive feedback from instructors and peers. Moodle is also well-suited for hybrid teaching, where some students attend in person in the classroom while others participate remotely via Zoom.
Digital Gap
The digital divide refers to the fact that some people do not use virtual services at all. There are many reasons for this. Not everyone has the necessary devices or the skills to use digital services. Increasingly, healthcare services are moving online, and those without digital access may face difficulties in applying for benefits, booking appointments, or managing personal finances. Some individuals deliberately choose not to learn digital tools, which results in their exclusion from services. This can lead to social and economic marginalization. A lack of digital skills also affects employment since good digital skills are increasingly required in the workplace. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about cybersecurity and data privacy can contribute to digital inequality. Those who lack the ability to recognize fraudulent activity may be more vulnerable to online scams.
Digital Competence Test
The Digital Competence Wheel indicates that I have strong digital skills (Figure 1). My highest scores, 85% (max 100%), were in Digital Exploration—the ability and willingness to stay updated on technological developments and explore new digital opportunities—and Self-Service—the ability and desire to seek out and benefit from self-service solutions online. In these areas, I am at level 7, which is highly specialized. The highest possible level is 8. My second-highest scores, 80%, were in Configuration—the ability to adjust applications and devices to personal preferences, as well as solve technical problems or tasks—and Health—the ability to care for both physical and mental health in an everyday life surrounded by technology and media. In these areas, I am at level 6, which is advanced. My lowest score, 69%, was in Law—knowledge about current laws and licenses for digital behavior, information, and content—and Active Participation—the ability and interest in making use of, expressing opinions, or otherwise contributing actively and making oneself visible in digital environments. In these areas, I am at level 5, which is advanced.
Self Evaluation
Through this task, I learned that the services I have used before are continuously evolving. It would be beneficial for me to revisit certain services from time to time to see if they have improved in ways that could make them more useful to me. Finland’s digital public services are highly developed, and applications from wellbeing areas (wellbeing services county) will be integrated into them wherever possible.
I believe that collaboration in application development would be more effective than each provider creating their own separate service. Testing my own digital competence was an interesting experience. I was already aware that I am strongly digitally oriented, but this exercise reminded me to focus even more on secure digital practices in the future.
I commented on these blogs:
Figure 1. Anne-Mari’s Digital Competence Areas.
Thank you for the excellent blog post! I hadn’t realized that the healthcare fee is paid only once a yea. I’ve been juggling payments in both autumn and spring, and I even received a debt collection notice after simply forgetting it. In my view, this fee setup is a prime example of a poorly executed digital solution. Why can’t I receive an e-invoice or email invoice from it like most other billing systems do?
I also really appreciated your line: “Some individuals deliberately choose not to learn digital tools, which results in their exclusion from services.” It summed up the issue perfectly. In my own blog post, I’m exploring whether people should also bear some responsibility for keeping up with digital trends, or if service providers and society should revert to resource-intensive, one-to-one service methods to support those who aren’t comfortable with digital solutions.