Digitalization has changed a lot about social services. In child protection, for example, recording used to be done mainly in a worker’s notebook, if at all. Nowadays, in foster care, children’s affairs are recorded daily and are also available to parents and the child themselves as they grow up. Digital documentation and its importance are recognized in all social services and is done even without client registers.
Social services record keeping is very different from health care, and this brings with it a particular field of expertise. Correctly recorded, the client will at best have a documents and memories of their childhood. In the absence of record-keeping skills, for example it can be detrimental for a young person to read records about him or her made by a familiar worker.
Digitalization has made it possible to create new types of services that are very significant. For example, Apuu-chat for the children, the online safety home for people at risk of violence and the Fiilisluotsi which helps workers to do preventative work. Virtual services allow reaching larger numbers of people and can share important information on issues such as intimate partner violence.
I believe that the quality of services will improve in the future, facilitated by digitalization which enables the collection of important data to create high-quality and efficient social services. Information and services will become accessible to customers. However, on the flip side, evaluating the effectiveness of services remains a challenge. I believe that more research should be dedicated to understanding the effectiveness of digital services in customers lives. Since most people need social services at some point, it’s important to research ‘real life’ impact of these services and compare them with the effectiveness of digital alternatives. Evaluating the effectiveness of services is an important for creating efficient and impactful solutions. Digital and “face-to-face” services can complement each other, working effectively in parallel.
GDPR
GDPR is a good reform to implement data protection. As most customer data and documentation systems are going digital, it is important to ensure customer privacy and security. For example, leaving a trace of the visit in the client’s records is a good safeguard from the client’s point of view. Especially in smaller localities, social and health services may employ many people whom clients know, and many of them may have access to client records. A digital trail of data provides security for the customer and helps to track down possible misuse. After all, in recent years, there have been many reports about security breaches where an employee has accessed various client records without professional reason.
The positive thing is that the obligation of professionals to share more information about customer security and related issues is a positive development. For example, when a child enters foster care, both the children and their parents must be provided with a data protection notice at the beginning of the customer relationship, and the topic must be discussed.
The downside of heightened information security is the challenge it poses to multidisciplinary cooperation. Nowadays, sharing information about client matters in social and health services has become increasingly difficult. I frequently encounter frustrated clients who find themselves having to repeat the same information to multiple professionals. It’s frustrating for them when, for instance, the school nurse and welfare officer are unable to share information.
In my personal life, I often encounter privacy notices. However, I never read them in full. It is undoubtedly important to pay more attention to them.
ChatGTP
I asked; Child’s mental health symptoms, how can I help?
ChatGPT responded in 10 ways, which were as follows; Open Communication, Listen Actively, Provide Reassurance, Seek Professional Help, Educate Yourself, Encourage Healthy Habits, Be Patient and Understanding, Create a Supportive Environment, Model Health Coping Skills, Stay Involved. The last paragraph of the response was as follows “Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one child may not work for another. It’s essential to tailor your approach to your child’s individual needs and seek professional help if necessary.”
I think this information is useful for the parents, but the actions of professionals must be based on evidence and effective personalized approaches, and this isn’t so usefully. However, this answer can be helpful for worried parents, and I think it was very good that there are multiple times noticed to seek professional help if necessary.
I asked; Latest research on supporting children with mental health problems?
For this question ChatGPT responded in nine ways, which were as follows; Early Intervention, Family-Based Interventions, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy(CBT), Emotional Regulation Skills, Technology-Based Interventions, School-Based Interventions, Trauma-Informed Care, Cultural Sensitivity, and Peer Support and Mentoring Programs. The last paragraph of the response was as follows “Continued research in these areas helps to refine and develop interventions that better meet the diverse needs of children with mental health problems. It’s essential for support efforts to be evidence-based and tailored to individual circumstances to promote the best outcomes for children and their families.”
This answer will give me more useful information and help me to look for more information from other sources. This list was also quite useful and gave some perspectives on multi-professional work. I also thought the last sentence was a good addition and a reminder of the importance of up-to-date information.
I asked; Tell me the main points about the Child Protection Act? T
The response was broad and focused on different perspectives and children’s rights. If you need accurate information about the Child Welfare Act, it is better to read the Act on Finlex as a professional to avoid making incorrect interpretations. The answer was once again good if you wanted general information about the subject. However, I wouldn’t rely on ChatGPT if I needed accurate legal knowledge.
I have noticed that asking a question is important to get a sufficiently accurate answer. ChatGPT would allow me to get information in my professional life as well, but I would still have to look for a reliable source and assess the veracity. Just for fun, I believe that this platform can provide a wealth of diverse information, for example related to hobbies.
Self evaluation
In this position, I began to consider how data protection impacts my work life. I realized that it significantly influences my daily tasks. Personally, I should delve into this topic even further. Reflecting on this matter from a professional standpoint was rewarding. I find that I use ChatGPT more in my personal life than in my professional life due to its reliability. However, I admit that a version of ChatGPT tailored for professionals could be a valuable new application.
I commented on Pauliina Kämäräinen and Hanna Ahtiainen blog.