I am studying to become a specialist in the digitalization of social and health care in a master’s degree program. I have a bachelor’s degree in industrial management (tradenomi AMK) and two a master’s degrees in radiography (röntgenhoitaja YAMK). I work as a full-time lecturer in radiographic work at Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
My experiences with digitalization in the social and health sector and teaching
I believe digitalization is already strongly integrated into the social and healthcare sectors, especially in education. In the future, artificial intelligence will assist radiographers and radiologists in their work. AI can support image interpretation, patient positioning, selection of imaging parameters, assessment of image quality, recording of patient and imaging data, and management of appointment scheduling. Artificial intelligence and online learning are increasingly being utilized in social and healthcare education. New imaging applications are emerging in medical imaging, and they should be taken into account in education. Artificial intelligence will not replace radiographers but will serve as an aid in their work. In education, teachers will become more like learning facilitators rather than traditional lecturers.
The Risks of Open Digital Society
In 2018, the general data protection reform was implemented. At the time, I was working as a radiographer at a university hospital, where patient data processing already took data protection and security aspects into account. In my personal life, GDPR affects me by granting the right to review, correct, and delete any stored information about me. I can also control which companies are allowed to send me marketing messages.
Currently, I work as a teacher, and GDPR impacts my organization by requiring us to ensure data security, reducing the risk of misuse of students’ and staff members’ personal information. As a teacher, I have had to report to the data protection authority if I noticed students accidentally publishing patient information, among other things. I also have to carefully consider each time I access student records in the Peppi system. A positive aspect of the data protection reform is the ability to control how one’s personal data is used. A potential downside is that smaller organizations may face increased costs due to heightened data security requirements.
ChatGPT
I asked ChatGPT how radiography education will change in the future. I think ChatGPT provided a fairly good answer, and some of the methods it suggested are already in use. According to ChatGPT, advancements in technology, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and simulations can enhance the learning experience. Students can practice practical skills in a safe virtual environment or simulations without posing any risk to patients. AI can assist in analyzing radiographic images and provide real-time feedback on images taken by students, improving both learning and diagnostic skills.
Distance learning and online courses make education more accessible, and some of our students are already studying remotely. Digital learning materials can help in understanding complex concepts. According to ChatGPT, future radiography education will likely be increasingly technology-driven and interactive, improving both the learning experience and patient safety.
I also asked how radiography learning environments will change. ChatGPT stated that radiography learning environments will become more diverse, technology-oriented, and tailored to students’ needs, enhancing learning experiences and preparedness for professional life. Learning environments will shift more towards online platforms, with an increase in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Learning materials will become more interactive, collaboration and teamwork will be emphasized in education, and learning will be personalized with more practical training. These trends are already visible in our teaching, so I think ChatGPT provided surprisingly accurate answers to my questions.
Finally, I asked how artificial intelligence will impact the work of radiographers. According to ChatGPT, AI will influence radiographers’ work in various ways, bringing both opportunities and challenges. AI assists radiographers in image analysis, increases work efficiency by automating routine tasks such as image organization and data recording, allowing radiographers to focus more on patient care and interaction. AI can provide training and support in new technologies, such as simulators that use AI to help radiographers develop their skills in a safe environment. ChatGPT also mentioned that AI can improve patient communication and education. Chatbots or other AI-based systems can answer patients’ questions and provide information about procedures, freeing up radiographers’ time. AI can offer radiographers insights and recommendations based on patient data and previous cases, helping them make better decisions in patient care. According to ChatGPT, the role of radiographers may shift as technology use increases, with a greater focus on patient care and education. This transition may require continuous training and adaptation to new working methods. The implementation of AI also raises ethical concerns, such as protecting patient data and ensuring transparency in decision-making. Radiographers must be aware of these issues and know how to navigate them. I think ChatGPT provided very useful answers, which I can already utilize in planning radiography education for students.
Self evaluation
The videos in this section were interesting and fit well with the topic. Most of them were from before the pandemic and the major digital leap. It was fun to watch the drone video showcasing flying robots. Nowadays, drones are accessible to everyone, and their use has become part of everyday life. It was useful for me to review the content of GDPR. I should reflect more on my online behavior—I am clearly too trusting. I should be more aware of where I grant permission for my data to be used. I became more familiar with AI usage when I studied to become a vocational teacher through online courses. I learned to use AI features in various applications, such as Canva, Prezi, Keenious, Gemini, Copilot, etc. I prefer using Copilot over ChatGPT, so testing it again after a long time was enjoyable. ChatGPT’s responses gave me valuable insights for my work. I want to learn more about the possibilities of AI in education and radiography. Perhaps I will do my thesis on this topic. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also areas I need to explore further.
