In this task, I will first check KELA:s and KEVA:s internet pages and also visit Omakanta. So lets go..–>
My family currently uses KELA’s services for medical reimbursement and as a student, I pay the Health Care Fee because that gives me the right to use the services of YTHS. I think this Health Care Fee should be checked , because if you have occupational healthcare , you still have to pay this additional fee. I’m pretty sure that working graduate students use occupational health services especially if they live outside the place of study.
All in all, I am grateful that we have social security for everyone living in Finland.
Omakanta (www.kanta.fi) login was easy and health information were easy to find from laboratory results to last doctors statement. Keva’s (www.keva.fi) pages also worked easily and you could find your retirement years and calculations. My retirement age is 68 years and 10 months. Hopefully i win the lottery before then because it looks like I need it.
Digital shops
I live in the countryside and which is why I use the internet a lot to order various products. I order clothes, cosmetics and things needed for hobbies from online. For this reason, a lot of price tracking has been done over the years. It’s a pity that most of the goods are cheaper by ordering online.
The advantage of an online store entrepreneur is cost savings, as there is no need to pay rent for business premises or shift work allowances for employees. Online store is open 24/7 even without an employee. These savings must be reflected in the prices, so that you can get the products cheaper online because there is no customer service in between. When buying online, the product information is usually also more extensive than buying in a brick-and-mortar store because with a few clicks you can see customers’ reviews and experiences of the product. The downside of buying a product online is that you have to wait, and if the product is defective or broken, returning it and receiving a new product takes time.
Usually, there is always a sale code or other similar discount that you enter during the payment phase to get a certain percentage discount. This is less often available in brick and mortar stores. I mainly use Finnish websites or companies that operate in EU area for my orders. Orders have arrived reliably and the delivery time is a week at most.
Laboratory application
I downloaded the Fimlab app on my phone. I logged in to the application with bank credentials. You could choose fingerprint recognition or code number to use the app. In the Fimlab application, you can book an appointment to the laboratory or view your own laboratory results.
The results are visible in the application for two years. The most recent result is at the top. Not all laboratory results will be in the application. Some of the results will be in the Kanta. Basic laboratory result access to the app. This has been explained to the customer in the application.
I chose Fimlab app because I work in the laboratory sector and I want to see the operation from the customer’s point of view. The app was easy to use and easy to download. Security is provided by bank identification. The application had explained what results would arrive there and there was also a reference value for the result. The app was user-friendly and easy.
Digital gap
Working in the healthcare sector, the first thing that comes to my mind is when healthcare services becoming digital. Do digital services reach people living in urban areas? Do all have access to the necessary equipment and skills to use digital services. Will the elderly miss out on services when there is no digital competence and their relatives live in cities. Who is responsible for ensuring that everyone stays involved in the digital development? The risk is that the elderly and the disadvantaged will be excluded from digitization.
World bank launched$2.48 billion program to increase digital services to 180 million people across eastern and southern Africa ( Edwards 2024). Reducing digital inequality by the World Bank brings equality to the world but is money the answer? While the digital revolution progresses, society should aim to narrow the digital divide. We have a lot of people who are missing out in the world as digitization grows.
Digital competence test
My highest scores came from safety and information. These are important to me because I have to know how to separate information from text and security is the basis of everything. Communication is also in my the top three, which tells about social awareness and using technology in teamwork.
I got a total result of level 3, which means that I can perform routine tasks. This is certainly very true, I wouldn’t have thought my skills would be more developed.
Self- reflection and whats in my mind
This task was great and fun to do. Time passed unnoticed as I thought about my shopping behavior and the problems of the digital divide. The main thing that stuck in my mind was how Finland is a pioneer in digitization if we view thing globally. Finns can view health information in real time on the internet and contact the nurse at the same time. Many countries are not in such an advanced state. Many things are still challenges for the future, but as Finns, we have a good foundation from which to strive.
Sources
Edwards, Sophie 2024. World bank launches 2.5B program to boost digitization in Africa. Devex. Published 5.7.2024. https://www.devex.com/news/world-bank-launches-2-5b-program-to-boost-digitalization-in-africa-107909. Referred 10.1.2025.
Comments I left
Sara´s blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/sarablogi/digi-citizen/
Jenniina´s site: https://blogi.savonia.fi/jenniinaharno/digi-citizen/?unapproved=10&moderation-hash=d4536a6b7f71689ce0c3aaf3fc3b94c1#comment-10
Ruth´s site: https://ruthsongok.wordpress.com/digi-citizen/comment-page-1/#respond
Hello Inga,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It was interesting to read your page.
I totally agree with you about Kela social security, It is an amazing thing in Finland. I think, that students should have an opportunity to choose if they want to pay this medical fee or not, because if you are working you do not need it and 50 euros is quiet a money. Maybe if you are student and you are healthy, you just do not want to pay these money, so you know that you are not going to use the health care.
Thanks for the tip regarding the Fimlab app. I often have to use laboratory services, but I was not aware of the app, so I think I would benefit from it. As a working professional myself, and living in busy times, I find myself thankful that services are now digital and things can be done conveniently from home at any time of the day. However, I am aware that not everyone has the same opportunities to keep up with the different platforms and life can be very limited, as you mentioned. Today, we use many social media platforms for both work and leisure. As a result, the volume of messages has increased and the style of interaction has changed. Thank you for your blog posts, it was interesting to read how digitalisation is reflected in your work. Good luck for your further studies! 😊
Regards, Niina
Hello Inga!
Thank you for an interesting blog post! Your post was easy to follow and i think you highligthted many important poin of views.
Your comment concerning the health care fee that has to be paid by every college student was important: i have also experienced this fee as an extra expense against which i don´t get anything. You are right when you bring out, that many students who are obliged for this fee, does not use any services offered by YTHS. I personally live far away from the place where the university is located, and when ever i need health care services, i use my occupational healht care or other health care sercives near by.
Otherwise, i identify with you with the gratefulness towars social security here in Finland!
You pointed out relevant perspectives what it comes to digital services and digital gap. I have as well been working in social and health care several years, and worry also about the possible deficiensies in equality among digital services.
You can find my blogsites here: https://blogi.savonia.fi/hannakielevainen/
Best regards: Hanna
Hi Inga!
Like you and other commenters I am also very grateful of the social security system we have here in Finland, but I also do agree with the YTHS payment being a little “out of place” sometimes.
It was nice reading your thoughts about an application that is used in your field of work, it’s important information for healthcare professionals to see what kinds of applications the customers/patients use so you can possibly even help them use the app and locate information there.
Hi!
Thanks for your interesting blog post.
I also agree with another commenter that the student health care payment system should be better planned. Many students are also working and covered by occupational health care during their studies, so it is pointless to pay for student health care, so to speak.
Thank you, Inga, for your text. I agree with you – it’s great that people in Finland are so capable of using digital platforms. I think this brings more equality, no matter where a person lives.
Finland is a large and sparsely populated country. Without good internet connections and digital services across most of the country, many people might feel they need to move closer to services.
You mentioned concerns about older people and their digital skills. I think you are partly right, but many elderly people are actually interested in learning and using digital services, especially since these services are usually easy and quick to use.
For example, my mother is 74 years old, and she is very skilled at using many digital health services. I’m really happy about that. I believe that in 10 years, there will be very few people in Finland who don’t know how – or aren’t able – to use digital services.
Hi Inga, I liked reading your blog! You explained the Fimlab app and the digital gap issues in a clear way. I agree it’s so important to think about who might be left behind as everything moves online. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Link to my blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/edris/
Hi Inga,
Thank you for your clear blog post! KELA and Omakanta indeed work seamlessly with mobile certificate, and the Fimlab app seems really handy from a lab user’s perspective. The student healthcare fee is on many people’s minds—I wish exemption options for working students were more easily accessible. The challenges of the digital divide are important, and we need broader support and training. Keep up the great work!
Link to my blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/joona/
Hi Inga!
You wrote about the Fimlab app, which I’ve become familiar with through both work and personal experience. I think the app is very useful and necessary, but it’s a shame that users can’t choose how they receive their results—either via the app or by text message. This limitation has led many elderly people to visit primary care centers to request a paper copy of their lab results, as they are unable to download or use the app. I believe it would be a small but meaningful improvement to offer the option of receiving results by text message as well (as it was before), which could help reduce the digitalization gap.
Link to my blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/oonavuoltee/
I wish you really warm and nice summer!
Best regards, Oona
Hi Inga!
The Fimlab app was a new thing for me. Thank you for sharing.
I also live in the countryside and order supplies online. As you pointed out, some things are cheaper online for the reasons you mentioned, and the discounts you get when you buy more are very tempting. Sometimes it annoys me when I’m tempted to buy more than I intended just because of the discounts. Sometimes I end up not buying anything.
I also work in the healthcare sector and I clearly see that it is difficult for older people in particular to keep up with the rapid pace of digitalization. I don’t think many people know that there are still many people in Finland who don’t have a computer, let alone an internet connection or even bank details that they can use to interact with the authorities.
I believe that developers think that not everyone can have everything and that some people will inevitably be left out, and that this is acceptable. On the other hand, there is also the idea that if everyone who can operate digitally does so, then there will be enough resources to help those who do not have the opportunity, ability, or tools to do so.
Link to my blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/digitalnurse/
Hello!
Thank you for your interesting blog post! I really liked how you combined personal experiences with critical reflections. Your points about the digital gap were especially important it’s true that not everyone has equal access or skills to use digital services, and this must be addressed. It was also great to hear your positive experience with the Fimlab app and how you view services from both professional and customer perspectives.
Hi Inga!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I also wondered about the need to reform the student health care fee system. I work full-time and find paying the health care fee completely unnecessary. Our place of study also has really long queues for student health care services, so I rarely get them on time when I need them. The only service I could think of using through it is non-urgent oral health care services.
Thank you Inka for your interesting blog post. I agree that all do not need YTHS servises. For example I have occupational health care. I pay to KELA student health care fee even I do not use YTHS: I am nurse in home care. Fimlab is our cooperation entity. At work I use Fimlab professional application. It works well. I will explore customer version that you bring forward.
Wellcome to my blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/jaanakristiinahenriksson
This is a strong post featuring excellent critical analysis, especially in the thoughtful questions posed about the digital divide and the detailed, user-focused review of the Fimlab application.
Hi!
Thank you for your thoughts. I agree that this Health Care Fee that every student must pay to KELA should be re-evaluated. I think everyone should be able to choose whether they want to use the services of the YTHS or not. Like you said many people may have, for example, occupational health care that they can use. And lately you can’t even make an appointment to YHTS because it’s so crowded. So, it’s not fair to pay for a service you can’t even use.
You made a good point about online shopping. Often you get some kind of discount code, which can make ordering online a cheaper option.
I have the same thoughts about digital gab. How to ensure that everyone can use digital services equally and how to ensure competence.
Here is a link to my page if you want to hear my thoughts about this section:
https://blogi.savonia.fi/laurikainensini/
-Sini-
Thanks for the really enjoyable read! You brought up some great points about online shopping and how digitalization looks from a rural and healthcare professional’s perspective. I especially liked your reflection on Finland’s strong digital infrastructure — it’s easy to forget how advanced our systems are compared to many other countries.
My blog: https://blogi.savonia.fi/emminblogi/
Hello Inga!
Thank you for the post. I share similar thoughts about the healthcare fee paid to Kela. I am also working, and I have access to occupational health care, which is very comprehensive. It’s unfortunate to have to pay for a service that you may never need—perhaps precisely because in Master’s level studies (YAMK), many are already in working life and may already have access to occupational health care services.
Thank you for your interesting post. I think it’s clear that all students pay the healthcare fee. YTHS is specialized in student healthcare, and its services may include something that isn’t covered by an occupational health agreement. YTHS also does a lot of work that may not be visible in students’ everyday lives. The foundation conducts research and supports student organizations in their efforts to promote student well-being.