Digitalisation in Occupational Health Care – Experiences and Future Outlook
I have worked in the healthcare sector for three years, and during this time, digitalisation has been an integral part of my work. I’ve never experienced a time when digital tools and services weren’t present, which shows how deeply technology has become embedded in healthcare—especially in the private sector, where I work in occupational health.
Digital services play a key role in our field. Many appointments, consultations, and follow-ups are now handled online, which has made services more accessible and allowed for more flexible work. Remote work has become increasingly common, and occupational health services have adapted to support this shift. One concrete example is workplace assessments. In the past, reports were created manually after on-site visits. In the future, these processes will likely be partly or entirely handled with the help of artificial intelligence, improving efficiency and saving time.
Looking ahead, I believe AI and smart systems will play an even bigger role in healthcare—from risk assessments to personalized care planning. However, while digital tools offer many benefits, human interaction and empathy must remain at the core of healthcare. Digitalisation has already transformed occupational health significantly, and the changes will only accelerate. It presents great opportunities for improving both the efficiency and quality of care.
Risks of an Open Digital Society and the Impact of GDPR
An open digital society brings many benefits, but it also involves serious risks. In my opinion, the greatest risk is the misuse of personal data. There will always be individuals or organizations who attempt to exploit data for their own benefit, which is why we must stay informed and proactive in protecting privacy.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in 2018, has played an important role in improving data protection across Europe. I see it as a very positive development. The introduction of clear sanctions and fines has motivated companies to take data privacy much more seriously. It has also given individuals more power over their own personal information—for example, being able to know what data is stored and where, and having the right to request its removal.
In my own life and work, GDPR has increased awareness about the importance of privacy. As someone working in healthcare, I deal with sensitive personal information daily. GDPR has provided clear guidelines for handling this data securely and ethically, which I believe improves trust between patients and professionals.
At the moment, I don’t see major downsides to GDPR. While it may have added some administrative workload for companies, the benefits of stronger data protection and individual rights far outweigh the challenges.
Using ChatGPT in My Field – Experiences and Thoughts
As part of this assignment, I tested the capabilities of ChatGPT by asking it several questions related to my work in healthcare and occupational health. I was positively surprised by how well the tool performed. ChatGPT was able to answer all of my questions correctly and provided clear, detailed explanations that demonstrated a solid understanding of the topics. The answers were written in an organized and professional way, which made them easy to read and apply in practice.
However, I noticed that while the answers were informative, the sources behind the information were not always included automatically. I had to ask the AI directly to provide sources, and even then, I had to double-check the facts independently. This reminded me of the importance of source criticism when using AI tools—no matter how advanced or accurate the response may seem, it is still necessary to verify the information, especially when working in a field like healthcare where decisions can affect people’s well-being.
Despite these limitations, I believe that artificial intelligence, and ChatGPT in particular, has great potential as a supportive tool in professional life. In healthcare and occupational health, it can help with a wide variety of tasks. For instance, it can assist in drafting documentation such as patient instructions or reports, help prepare emails or educational materials, suggest research ideas, or quickly summarize complex topics. This can save time and improve efficiency, especially when working under pressure or managing multiple responsibilities.
That said, I think it’s essential to approach AI with a balanced mindset. It should be seen as a tool that supports our work—not something that replaces critical thinking or professional expertise. One concern I have is that the overuse of AI might reduce people’s ability or motivation to think independently. If we rely on AI for everything, there’s a risk that it could make people intellectually passive over time.
In conclusion, my experience with ChatGPT was largely positive. It confirmed to me that artificial intelligence can be a powerful aid in the healthcare sector, as long as it is used responsibly. It can improve productivity, enhance access to information, and support learning—but it also requires users to stay alert, critical, and actively involved in the process.
Self-Evaluation – What I Learned and What I Still Want to Learn
During this course, I learned more about the risks of living in a digital society, especially related to data privacy and the misuse of personal information. I also gained a deeper understanding of the data protection reform and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including how it affects both individuals and organizations. It was eye-opening to realize how many layers of responsibility are involved in protecting data in professional settings, particularly in healthcare.
One of the most enjoyable tasks for me was creating a blog page. I found it interesting and inspiring, especially since I could see myself working with different kinds of digital tools or applications in the future. It gave me a chance to think about how technology and communication come together in professional life. I enjoyed combining creativity with technical skills and reflecting on how digital platforms can be used for knowledge sharing and outreach.
Going forward, I would like to learn more about artificial intelligence, digital tools used in healthcare, and how to ensure data security in practical work situations. These skills will be increasingly important in my field as digitalisation continues to grow. I want to keep improving my digital literacy and deepen my understanding of how technology can be used ethically and effectively in healthcare environments.
Overall, this course has given me valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of the digital world. It has motivated me to continue learning and developing my skills so I can adapt to the changing needs of working life.
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