I studied to become a nurse in the 90s, and back then, essays and other writings were still done on paper. We learned to use a computer to some extent in school, but it was still considered a thing of the future and not very relevant to us at the time. I vividly remember searching the internet for spoilers of “The Bold and the Beautiful.” So, one could say that after graduating, I didn’t really know how to use a computer.

After graduating, I started working in the early 2000s at a health center in a small municipality in Northern Norway. We wrote reports with a pen in red and blue folders. A few years later, we got a patient information system called Profil. Surprisingly, we learned to use it quite well.

Currently, as a psychiatric nurse, I use a computer constantly in my work. I need several programs, such as the patient information system, a program for checking invoices, and a computer program for applying for vacations and other absences. Updates from the welfare region are also read on the welfare region’s own intranet nowadays.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suddenly had to switch to remote work. I had never thought that as a nurse, my job could be done remotely, but surprisingly, it worked quite well. Initially, it was challenging to learn to work in a new way. It’s worth noting that clients reacted differently to the situation depending on their background. Young people were excited about using remote connections, but older individuals found it difficult and missed human contact. Not everyone had a computer, or they didn’t know how to use one. We spent work hours teaching clients to use remote connections, but it still wasn’t successful for everyone. It is crucial to consider that when using digital services, everyone continues to receive services equally, and no one is left behind. Therefore, each client must find a suitable method for them.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the problems for many clients had only increased. They had been left alone at home without human contact and felt isolated. As Chat GPT mentioned to me, artificial intelligence and digital services are helpful for treating mental health issues but not without human contact. Living in the north, far from everything, digital services are a good addition for us. For example, Mielenterveystalo.fi offers many self-help programs and online therapies. I believe that these services will be used more due to labor shortages and a weakened economic situation. However, as Chat GPT pointed out, these services alone are not sufficient; we still need professionals, human connection.

While watching videos, the thought crossed my mind: What if everything in our society operates digitally and through artificial intelligence, and one day the systems stop working? Will our entire society come to a halt? Do we have a contingency plan?


SELF-EVALUATION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I indeed worked remotely, and I enjoyed the new ways of working. After pursuing this higher education degree, my enthusiasm for using digital services has grown even further. I understand that they are a part of the present and future, whether we like it or not. I believe that through digitalization, equal services can be ensured for remote areas, allowing people to live where they desire. Additionally, work can be done remotely from almost anywhere using online connections.

It is important to consider those individuals who may not know how to use computers and ensure that they, too, receive all the necessary assistance and information. Security concerns also need to be taken into account. A notable example is the data breaches at the psychotherapy center Vastaamo, which caused significant distress for those individuals whose information was compromised due to the security breach.

I commented on Heli Kämäräinen, Kaisa Kuuppo and Sanna Vidgren.