In this post I reflect on the benefits and challenges that digitalization has brought to the social and health care sector — and what the future may still hold.
In the field of my expertise
Let’s take a little time-travel back to the year 2007, when I started studying to become a nurse. I still remember my first internship: daily documentation was still partly done by hand on paper, the office shelves were overflowing with patient files and nurses spent a large part of their time searching for the right papers, forms and documents. Appointments were booked by phone, prescriptions were printed, and information was faxed between places. The digitalization of the social and health care sector was just starting.
Now, nearly twenty years later, everyday life in social and health care looks very different. Paper records have been replaced by electronic patient record systems, and the number of digital tools is constantly increasing. Mobile devices, various digital platforms and telehealth consultation services are used daily and have become familiar to many. Information mainly moves electronically between different units.
The implementation of electronic patient record systems was the first significant step in the digitalization of social and health care. It has been a long and gradual change that has aroused many different feelings and thoughts along the way. With electronic patient records, the availability and reliability of information have improved, documentation has become clearer and patient safety has increased. Services like OmaKanta have given citizens access to their own health information, increasing transparency and strengthening clients’ role in their own care. On the other hand, it is often pointed out that the time spent on documentation has increased and causes strain and that the systems are sometimes unreliable and don’t always support users well.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote services, and mobile applications, such as appointment booking and chat services, have brought care closer to the client. Services are accessible around the clock, allowing clients e.g. to renew prescriptions, check lab results or ask for an advice from a professional from home. Digital services can increase accessibility, especially in remote areas and save time for both clients and for the professionals. Digital self-care can support client independence, provide up-to-date information and enable monitoring of one’s own health. When a client gains access to their own information and the opportunity to participate in the decision-making, their commitment to care often strengthens. At the same time, digitalisation requires professionals to develop new skills and their interaction capabilities — working via remote connections demands different approaches and expertise than face-to-face patient encounters. Competence of a new technology has become important part of daily work.
One of the most interesting and widely discussed phenomena in the digitalization of social and health care is the adoption of artificial intelligence. Currently AI is utilized in medical imaging, diagnostics and risk identification, among other areas. For example, AI can analyse large amounts of data quickly and offer support for the professionals to the decision making. Automated reminders, decision-support tools and chatbots are becoming more and more commonly used in the healthcare sector.
In an increasingly digital world, it is important to remember that the client is at the centre of all digitalization. The goal should not be merely to adopt technology, but to genuinely improve the quality, accessibility, smoothness and efficiency of services. Services must be accessible, inclusive, and above all, safe for everyone. Technology’s role is not to replace humans or professional expertise but to support it. When implemented well, digitalization can bring more time, humanity, and individuality to care — not reduce them.
The risks of open digital society
An open digital society offers many benefits, such as improved access to information and easier communication. However, it also involves risks, including cybersecurity threats, misuse of personal data, and digital inequality, which can exclude parts of the population.
Knowledge of cybersecurity and data protection is an essential part of the professional competence and everyone’s responsibility. Sensitive personal data is handled daily in the social and healthcare sector, making careful and lawful data processing essential.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) impacts social and healthcare work in many ways. GDPR regulates the collection, processing, and disclosure of personal data. GDPR’s main objective is to strengthen individuals’ rights regarding data protection and to harmonize data protection rules across the European Union. The regulation reinforces individuals’ rights to their own data and its management and increases transparency and accountability in the data processing. Reporting of data breaches is now also more systematic than before. High-level data protection promotes clients’ trust in digital social and healthcare services, which is crucial for the use and development of these services.
GDPR brings along concrete responsibilities on social and healthcare professionals as well as organizations. Data controllers and processors must ensure that personal data is processed lawfully and properly protected. Additionally, data breaches must be reported without a delay to supervisory authorities. Training and maintaining expertise in data protection are key so that professionals can act in accordance with the regulation. Documenting data processing activities and conducting risk assessments are also important methods to ensure the practical implementation of data protection.
Overall, although GDPR brings challenges and increased duties and responsibilities for data controllers and processors, it supports a safer and more responsible digital social- and healthcare services.
ChatGPT
I asked ChatGPT to briefly explain how digitalization is reflected in the work of a public health nurse in student healthcare. The answer describes well the current state of digitalization.
“Digitalization is visible in the work of a student health nurse, for example, through the use of electronic patient record systems. Nurses can also conduct appointments remotely via video calls or chat. They guide students in using health apps and other digital self-care tools. Digitalization improves the recording and sharing of information, but at the same time requires careful attention to data security. Additionally, digitalization facilitates time management and enhances work efficiency.”
I also asked how digitalization will impact the work of a student health nurse in twenty years. The vision seems realistic and corresponds well to my own thoughts on future development directions.
“In twenty years, digitalization will change the work of student health nurses even more. Nurses may use artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics tools to monitor students’ health status and predict risks. Remote consultations and digital treatment methods will be everyday practices, and virtual reality or augmented reality may assist, for example, in mental health care. The work of the nurse will increasingly emphasize individualized, technology-supported well-being promotion, where digital self-care services are central. Data security and ethical issues will remain important, but their management will be facilitated by advanced solutions. Overall, digitalization will make the work more flexible, efficient, and better tailored to the student’s needs.”
Self-evaluation
Digitalisation Digitalization has transformed not only how the work is done, but also the customer experience. Digitalization has enabled better efficiency, transparency, and several new opportunities — but also created new challenges, responsibilities, and a constant need of learning. As professionals, we have an important role ensuring that technology serves people, not the other way around. When technology and humanity goes hand in hand, we can build services that genuinely meet’s people’s needs.
This assignment took me back in time and made me realize how quickly and significantly digitalization has evolved in social- and healthcare services. It has also helped me to organize my own thoughts and experiences regarding digitalization in the field. Digitalization offers many opportunities but also brings threats and risks that must always be considered.
It has been interesting to follow this development closely — and to be part of the change.
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