Digitalization in Social and Health Care – Experiences and Future Thoughts
Digitalization has brought – and continues to bring – major changes to the social and health care sector. Working in the field myself, I’ve seen how digital solutions are here to stay. In practice, it means services are going digital, processes are being renewed, and operations are becoming more customer-centered – just as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM 2016) has outlined.
Today, almost everything is online: appointment bookings, health advice, forms, and contact details. For example, the Maisa service, part of the Apotti system, has made my life easier. I can contact my health center at any time without sitting in a phone queue. I love being able to manage things when it suits me best.
Fast technological development has pushed the sector to find new solutions. Behind this are financial pressures, growing demand, and competition for better services. Security and data protection have also become more important than ever, especially when dealing with patient information.
I’m currently studying mental health and substance abuse work. As part of my studies, I completed a course on digitalization, which opened my eyes to how deeply technology impacts social and health care – and the possibilities it brings.
Robots, AI, and Welfare Technology – Helpers or Challenges?
Robotics and AI have added new dimensions to health care. At HUS, where I work, 75% of referrals are now processed by software robots. AI sorts the referrals, and doctors make the final care decisions (HUS 2024). When I first heard about this, I stopped and thought – what a huge change, and how much time and effort it saves!
AI doesn’t just automate; it learns and adapts. According to the Ministry of Finance (2024), AI and robotics can improve both service quality and efficiency. I see this as a big opportunity, but it also raises important questions: where should we draw the line? What about ethical concerns like respecting the autonomy of the elderly?
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s KATI program (THL 2023) supports older people living at home with the help of technology. It combines tech solutions, home services, relatives, and professionals into a smooth system. The aim is to increase safety and quality of life, support caregivers, and help people stay at home longer.
I remember a case from my home care internship. A client received a meal dispenser, but it wasn’t a good fit for him – he got frustrated, carried it outside, and asked for it to be taken away. It’s a good reminder that while technology offers new options, not every solution fits everyone.
What I’ve Learned
Today, I meet young people via Teams almost daily, send and receive messages digitally, study online, and work mostly with electronic records. Yet I still believe face-to-face meetings are, in some ways, irreplaceable.
During the course, I realized that bringing in new technology isn’t enough. We need time to learn, courage to try, an open mind, and – most importantly – a customer-first mindset. Done well, digital services can boost well-being and make life easier for both clients and professionals. Looking ahead, digitalization will make social and health care more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly. At the same time, we must make sure no one is left behind.
I truly believe digitalization is a huge opportunity – as long as we use it wisely and with humanity.
References:
STM 2016. Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
HUS 2024. Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa.
Ministry of Finance 2024.
THL 2023. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
The Risks of an Open Digital Society and GDPR Through the Eyes of a Healthcare Professional
The Risks of an Open Digital Society and GDPR Through the Eyes of a Healthcare Professional
The digital society brings us many benefits: information, services, and connections are available quickly and easily across almost every field. However, openness also comes with risks. Privacy can be easily compromised when personal information is collected, shared, and stored across different systems. The spread of misinformation is also increasing, and identity theft remains a real threat.
Earlier in my career in the insurance sector, I encountered a client whose identity had been stolen — a situation that made me realize just how serious the consequences of data breaches can be.
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), introduced in 2016 and applied from 2018, aims to address these risks. It gives us more control over our personal data: we can request to view, correct, or delete our information. Companies and organizations are obliged to openly explain how and why they collect and process our data. GDPR grants individuals key rights over their personal data — to access, correct, delete, transfer, and restrict its use — and requires organizations to uphold these rights. Data processing requires a lawful basis, serious breaches must be reported within 72 hours, and a Data Protection Officer must be appointed when necessary.
In my personal life, GDPR means I am no longer entirely at the mercy of data collectors. A positive aspect is that I can better manage and check the information held about me and request its removal if necessary. On the downside, constant consent requests and lengthy privacy policies can feel burdensome, and sometimes, in a rush, I end up giving permissions — even for marketing I definitely would not want.
In my professional life, especially in the healthcare sector and youth psychiatry, GDPR impacts my work daily. We deal with extremely sensitive information — young people’s health data and life situations — and must therefore uphold strict privacy standards. A positive outcome is that GDPR has enhanced professionalism, transparency, and accuracy in handling data, hopefully strengthening trust between patients, families, and professionals.
On the negative side, GDPR has introduced more bureaucracy: collaboration with schools, child protection services, and other stakeholders now requires careful consent collection and consideration. This can slow down care processes and add to the already heavy administrative workload. Fear of breaching data protection regulations can also contribute to increased job stress.
That said, I understand the need for strict standards. We have witnessed multiple cases where data breaches and system failures have led to personal information falling into the wrong hands. GDPR has given us concrete tools to protect privacy and to act more responsibly — both as citizens and as healthcare professionals.
ChatGPT – Questions for AI and Reflections Based on Its Answers
As part of my blog assignment, I asked ChatGPT three questions related to my field:
- How could HUS youth psychiatry benefit from AI in the future?
- How is AI currently used in the healthcare sector?
- What security risks could AI pose in social and healthcare services?
The answers were mostly accurate, up-to-date, and clear. AI recognized well how youth psychiatry could benefit from its use in the future — for example, in the early detection of psychiatric issues, care planning, and administrative tasks. Current applications and potential data security risks were also described realistically.
However, I noticed that the answers remained somewhat general and lacked ethical reflection. AI doesn’t grasp emotional depth or the importance of human interaction — both of which are essential in youth psychiatric care.
Overall, I believe AI holds great potential, as long as it is used ethically, safely, and to complement human interaction — not to replace it. In healthcare, AI can be a valuable support tool that frees up time for what truly matters: meeting and caring for people.
Self-Assessment
Through this course, I have explored the significance of digitalization, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data protection from both personal and professional perspectives. The blog assignments have encouraged me to reflect on how digitalization affects everyday life, work, and human interaction.
When examining the role of technology in nursing, it became evident that while service accessibility improves and work becomes more efficient, there is also a risk of increased loneliness and reduced human interaction. New ethical challenges may arise as well. In future healthcare work, digital skills, critical thinking, and the ability to integrate technology with human interaction will become increasingly important. In nursing, this means a growing use of digital services and AI in diagnostics and care planning—alongside the need to recognize ethical boundaries.
Understanding cybersecurity and GDPR highlighted that data protection is not merely about compliance, but also a vital part of patient safety. The videos I watched provided insights into how information should be handled securely and how essential it is to be critical about what we share online. Openness and digitalization bring risks, especially concerning privacy and data security. Andy Yen and James Lyne’s presentations on cybersecurity reminded me that we must not be too careless online. As the amount of data increases, so does the potential for misuse. In healthcare, this underscores the importance of protecting patient records and developing secure digital services. Autonomous drones, intuitive AI, and virtual care are no longer just science fiction—they are increasingly realistic parts of our near future.
The videos also highlighted how big data can uncover new diagnostic methods. For example, AI has identified three previously unknown biomarkers for cancer cells—something doctors had not discovered before. However, this development also brings challenges. Algorithms could lead to predictive monitoring where people are judged for actions they have not yet taken. Some expert roles, like lab technicians, may become obsolete. Most importantly, privacy concerns have shifted from protecting personal data to guarding individual freedom and decision-making, as algorithms can restrict our options.
I also learned about the practical applications of AI. For instance, ChatGPT can assist with information retrieval or referral processing, but it cannot replace the human connection between a nurse and a patient. This has made me reflect on my role in developing nursing practice—how to balance humanity with the benefits of technology.
This course has deepened my understanding of the digital society and its impact on my profession. I now have a better grasp of the possibilities technology offers, and I believe I am more critical and aware than before. I feel that this course has been a valuable part of my professional development.
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