Digi Society
DIGITALISATION IN HEALTHCARE
I have been worked in the healthcare sector for almost twenty years, mainly as a nurse in specialist healthcare, in coronary care unit for cardiac patients. In my work, I have seen the development of digitalisation in healthcare, mainly in relation to patient information systems and the digital solutions and activities connected to them. One tool that makes my work easier is the smart medicine cabinet. Fortunately, I have also experienced a time when computers and smart devices did not dominate work and study. Digitalization has not yet fully reached the actual concrete nursing work that I do with my hands, thoughts, and words. Of course, digitalization, information technology, and smart devices can enable a lot in nursing, but I cannot believe that they will ever replace humans.
At the moment, I don’t really need to write anything down by hand at work, as everything is done using smart devices such as the network, computers, tablets, and smartphones, along with their applications and systems. This can sometimes be risky, and dangerous situations can arise if computers or systems crash, meaning that patient data cannot be accessed or documented. The current patient information system provides more comprehensive information, including information about the patient’s treatment and medication elsewhere, which also improves the safety of care. The systems have several other functions, such as the ability to record travel expenses and sick leave certificates, and to order food and medication.
Computer systems have developed and changed a lot to reach this point. The most significant change in terms of digitalization in my work has been digital services, and I have been working with this application since its launch about five years ago as a so-called digital nurse in digital services via the Terveyskylä website on the Omapolku digital care path. Although the application emphasizes patient/customer self-care, it provides patients with information and support after a new disease or procedure and during recovery. The path also offers follow-up care, control, and monitoring of values provided by a professional, and through it, you can contact a professional via message. The site uses reliable authentication, with patients using their own certificates and employees using their own social and health care professional cards. Digitalization has brought about major positive changes in the healthcare sector and is constantly evolving. One positive aspect is that customers do not necessarily have to leave their homes, but can take care of things using a computer or phone app. Customers range in age from 30 to 90, and digital literacy varies across all age groups. Not everyone knows how to use or wants to use digital services, which is why care, follow-up, and check-ups must also be provided in person. Furthermore, not all care or follow-up can be provided digitally.
GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a privacy and security law that came into effect on May 25, 2018. It imposes obligations and specific requirements on organizations if they collect, store, or manage data on people residing in the EU or process such data. It improves the protection of personal data and the means of controlling data processing, and harmonizes data protection regulations in EU countries, especially with the increasing use of cloud services and the rise in data breaches. The regulation introduces fines for violations of privacy and security.
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, supplemented and specified by national legislation, applies to the processing of patient and customer data in healthcare. In addition, the management and processing of patient and customer data is subject to laws such as the Data Protection Act, the Act on the Status and Rights of Patients, and the Act on the Electronic Processing of Social and Health Care Customer Data. (Valvira)
In my work in the healthcare sector, the processing of patient and customer data has always been based on data protection and has required caution and accuracy, also in the provision and processing of data. Data fishing has also reached the healthcare sector, and even though awareness has been raised, training has been provided, and network and other protection mechanisms are in use, it is still necessary to be alert at work and prevent data from falling into the wrong hands and causing harm.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
I have only recently started using artificial intelligence for the first time during my studies, and only to a limited extent, as I am not accustomed to using it. While studying, I noticed that the sources, for example, were completely irrelevant. I have never used artificial intelligence in my work. I asked a few questions related to my work, and the answers were accurate, but the style of language used was a bit different what I’m used to, and some of the words were a bit unfamiliar and strange. I think artificial intelligence has improved since I last tried it, but I don’t consider it a reliable source of information yet. I may try using it in my work in the future, but it needs to be developed to suit every occupation so that it is safe to use.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
First of all, I want to say that this course is totally outside my comfort zone and area of expertise, both in terms of digitalization and the blog format, as well as my forgotten English skills. And I can admit that I had to use a translator quite a lot because I don’t remember words in English. It was nice to read other people’s thoughts on the same topics from different fields of work and from my own field. I probably learned the most about the use of artificial intelligence, and the most interesting materials were about drones and healthcare, and of course it was interesting to see a little piece of the future technology, even though I am not a fan of technology or information technology.
I commented on these two blogs:
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