The Benefits of Technology in Home Nursing Care

I work as a home care nurse, and in our field, the use of digital tools is essential. I would estimate that about half of our working day is spent using either a smartphone or a computer. Without these devices, many tasks would be much slower and more cumbersome.

Our main tool is the Lifecare patient information system, where we document all home visits and care events. Our work phones also contain several applications that support our work in the field. For example, we use an app that automatically calculates the kilometers driven during work trips and facilitates the reimbursement process. Medication orders to pharmacies can also be placed via smartphone (even from the client’s home), and the app also displays the day’s work list and instructions for each client visit. Furthermore, we can document the visit’s events directly into Lifecare during the visit through the app. This direct documentation makes work management easier and speeds up information flow.

Google Maps is another nearly daily tool in our work. As we move around the city, client addresses vary, and with the map application, we can easily find the correct location. Overall, technology already strongly supports the core functions of home care.

New Digital Tools That Could Be Useful in My Work

Through this course assignment, I began to consider whether other, new digital tools could also support my work. I selected five applications that I see adding value to the daily practice of home care: DeepL, Pinterest, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Todoist.

The DeepL translation tool could be excellent in situations where the client does not speak Finnish as their first language. Currently, I use Google Translate, which can also read aloud the sentence I have typed in the client’s language. Google Translate has already made interaction easier and improved care safety. Especially when it comes to medication instructions, it is crucial that the client understands them correctly. DeepL could be a valuable alternative to Google Translate.

Pinterest could offer ideas for client activities that brighten their daily lives. In home care, we often work with elderly clients living alone, and small things can make a big difference to their day. For example, seasonal crafts, exercise sessions, or cooking ideas could be easily found on Pinterest. Although there is typically limited time for such activities in home care, why not share ideas with clients who are enthusiastic about crafts? Additionally, I could use Pinterest for planning well-being days (TYHY) for our work community.

LinkedIn is an application I should definitely download and update my profile to be more professional. I am currently finishing my Master’s degree (YAMK), and LinkedIn would provide an excellent platform to follow developments in nursing care, to network with other professionals, and to explore potential new career opportunities. It could also offer inspiration and new perspectives for developing my own work.

WhatsApp is currently in use on my personal phone for private matters. At the moment, we do not use it within our work team, but I can see its potential for things like shift swaps or planning wellness activities. However, it is essential to remember that WhatsApp is not sufficiently secure for handling patient data, and its use should be limited to general and non-confidential communication.

I find Todoist particularly interesting for managing everyday work tasks. The workday in home care is often busy and full of small things to remember. This app could help keep track of phone calls to make, orders to place, or other important tasks. It would bring more clarity to my workflow and help reduce stress.

Digitalization Creates Distance

The course assignment also highlighted an important current theme: the increase in remote care. Remote care is in many ways cost-effective. It saves resources and enables things like doctor consultations without requiring physical presence. Certain situations can be handled through remote care when the client’s condition is stable and a physical visit is not strictly necessary.

At the same time, it is crucial to reflect on what remote care cannot offer. Home care has traditionally been a human-centered profession. Genuine face-to-face interaction with the client often involves much more than performing clinical tasks. A nurse physically present in the client’s home can observe things that might not be visible through a remote connection: home safety risks, changes in the client’s mood, declining functional ability, or signs of social isolation. For many elderly clients, the nurse’s in-person presence is the most important human contact of the day.

It is therefore vital to maintain balance. Remote care can complement in-person care but should not fully replace it. For each client, an assessment should be made of whether remote or physical visits are most appropriate. It should also be noted that not all clients are digitally capable or willing to use remote connections.

In my own work, I see digitalization primarily as an opportunity. It helps organize work, improves information flow, and brings new tools for developing our services. At the same time, it is important to maintain a human-centered and ethical perspective: technology should not override the human dimension of care.

Elements of Successful Use of Digital Tools

Based on my own experience and this course, I have considered what makes the use of a digital tool successful in home care work. First and foremost, ease of use is important. Our workdays are often busy, and we do not have time to learn overly complex systems or navigate confusing user interfaces. Although patient information systems change frequently due to competitive tendering, the most successful digital tools support work in a way that feels natural in a fast-paced environment.

Secondly, data security and reliability are critical. In home care, we handle sensitive patient information daily, so tools must comply with all data protection and legal requirements. It is important that employees have a clear understanding of which channels are appropriate for various types of communication.

In addition, a digital tool should genuinely facilitate work: saving time, improving the quality of care, or providing new opportunities for information flow, collaboration, or organization. A digital tool should not be adopted simply for the sake of digitalization, it must serve a practical purpose.

In summary, the best digital tools simplify daily work, improve efficiency, and support client-centered care. At the same time, their use must always align with the human and ethical nature of nursing work. It is also important to ensure that proper training and support are provided, even amid busy schedules.

Self-Reflection

Through this course, I have gained new ideas for how I could make even better use of digital tools in home care. I believe that DeepL, Pinterest, and Todoist could bring concrete benefits to my work. LinkedIn would also support my professional development. Using WhatsApp within the work community could be worth developing — provided that clear guidelines are in place.

At the same time, I am now more aware of the risks of digitalization: excessive screen time can be exhausting, and strict attention to data security is essential. In particular, when it comes to remote care, I feel it is vital that we nurses retain the professional judgment to decide when remote care is appropriate and when it is not.

Overall, I feel that this course has helped me grow both as a digital citizen and as a professional. I believe that the use of digital tools in home care will continue to increase in the future. But I hope that this development will proceed wisely and with a client-centered focus.