The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA)

Kela is mainly responsible for social security benefits in Finland. This is provided by law. Kela offers basic security in different situations in life. In my previous studies, I received student financial aid and housing allowance. Now I don’t need general support. I get kela compensation if I use the services of a private clinic or if I buy prescription medicines from the pharmacy (you don’t get kela compensation from all medicines).

I think Kela’s website is quite informative and easy to use. I like that there are different sections for the professionals. For example, I need to use the information from Kela’s website daily in my work. However, if you are using the website for the first time, it may take a while before you find the right information. Nowadays, you can take care of many things through the website, which is convenient and saves time.

Kela usually sends European health care card automatically when the old one expires. I have a valid card at home, so I didn’t need to order a new one, but I found where to order it, if it’s necessary.

Accessing to OmaKanta and current estimate of pension

Omakanta is an electronic database where you can see all your health information, lab results and prescriptions prescribed to you. Logging into Omakanta requires strong electronic identification. You can log in with your online banking credentials, mobile certificate or with an ID card (need to have chipped ID card and card reader). I used a mobile certificate to log in because it adds security and can’t be misused as much as your bank credentials. That’s why I prefer to use a mobile certificate more these days.

I didn’t find any information from Keva, but it said on Keva’s website that another earnings-related pension insurance company has my information. So, I found out from Ilmarinen’s site that if I retire at the age of 68, I will only get about 1850 € per month as a pension. This is really worrying, but it shows that I have worked in low-paying occupations. Hopefully I’ll have better luck with work in the future. I did not receive any information about the amount of my pension if I retire at the age of 63.

Price comparison: Temu and a local store

I visited on a Chinese online store called Temu and evaluated the selection of products and prices compared to a Finnish local store. First, I was impressed with how wide a range of products it offers and how cheap the prices are. There is usually at least a little product information, and you can also read customer reviews about the products. Some products have more information than the others. And there are also products available that you cannot even buy from Finland and that might also tempt people to buy. The prices are very cheap compared to the local stores in Finland and there are no shipping fees for regular orders. But for me the whole website looks cheap and not reliable. I know many people have ordered from Temu and have received their products, but many have said that the quality of the product is not as good as if you had bought it from a regular store. It has been reported even on the news that some of the products have been labelled dangerous for health.

Pharmacy application

I chose University pharmacy’s (Yliopiston apteekki) application, because I work as a pharmacist in a pharmacy. I think this application is very handy. When you start to use the application logging in requires strong electronic identification. Strong authentication is required because the pharmacy processes personal data. After that you choose your own PIN code so that you can log in more easily next time. The application is like a small pharmacy in your hand. It offers product information about every product available (medicines, cosmetics, dietary supplements, etc.). You can also see the price of the product and it shows you the possible offer price and whether the offer is only online or in general. It also includes a chat where you can ask for medication advice from a pharmacist or other product information. The application has personal offers for users, and it shows monthly changing regular customer offers and other campaigns. It also includes a QR code that you can use to identify yourself when visiting the pharmacy if you have forgotten to take your ID with you. It is also easy to order products online and the delivery fee is clearly visible, and it also shows the amount after which the delivery is free. When the order is complete, you will have a clear view of what the payments consist of. I think the application is easy to use and the best feature is that you can get medication advice quickly and you don’t necessarily have to leave your home.

Digitalization and digital gap

Digitalization has increased significantly, and services are becoming increasingly digital. If a person does not use digital devices or virtual services, it increases the risk of exclusion, and they do not have equal access to the services available. There are already differences in digitalization around the world. In industrialized countries, digital services are commonplace, but in developing countries, many people may not be able to afford even a regular mobile phone, let alone a smartphone. Thus, people worldwide also have differences in whether they have equal access to all the information that is available. In developed countries, not using digital services and systems is often due to either the fact that it is not possible for some reason (such as a bad economic situation) or that people do not know how to use them. There is also a difference in how well you know how to use technology. If you are familiar with the use of technology and are good at it, it offers even wider opportunities to access various services, increases knowledge and improves opportunities in working life. In other words, inequality arises just from how well you know how to use devices and services. If a person does not use digital devices and services or does not know how to use them, it causes increased inequality in access to services, access to information, and weakens job opportunities. Also, if you don’t use digital services, it also makes it difficult to take care of your daily affairs, as many places require identification and electronic login. Digitalization should be a positive thing, not a factor that increases inequality and social exclusion. So how do we get to a point where it benefits everyone?

Digital Competence Test:

Self-reflection / Conclusions

I learned how important it is to know digital skills and how you constantly need to develop and update your skills in order to keep up with digitalization. Digital awareness and competence also affect coping in working life. Digital competence test was interesting and it provided information about the current state of my digital competence. Now I know which parts still need improvement. Digitalization and digital services offer more opportunities and wider options. They make everyday life easier, improve access to services and information and enable the use of services regardless of time and place. However, you must remember to use your judgment to assess whether something that sounds good is as reliable as it seems. Personally, I am concerned about the digital gap, because it is important that everyone has equal access to information and services, especially social and health services. However, digitalization cannot be taken for granted globally.

I commented on the following blogs:

DIGI CITIZEN
DIGI CITIZEN
Digi Citizen