{"id":13,"date":"2024-09-03T12:03:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T09:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/marisanna\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2024-09-29T10:57:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-29T07:57:27","slug":"digi-citizen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/marisanna\/digi-citizen\/","title":{"rendered":"DIGI CITIZEN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Picture Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Navigating the Digital Landscape as a Digi Citizen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s fast-evolving digital world, the concept of a “digi citizen”<\/strong> is becoming increasingly relevant. A digital citizen refers to individuals who use the Internet and digital tools effectively to engage with private and public organizations, communicate with others, and participate in an electronic society. As I reflect on my own experiences, both personally and professionally, I can see how the digital world has reshaped daily life and work. This blog post explores my experiences with digital services<\/strong>, the digital divide<\/strong>, and the challenges<\/strong> that come with being part of a digital society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Services in Social Insurance and Healthcare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) and OmaKanta<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Living in Finland<\/strong>, the integration of digital services is significant, particularly in healthcare and social insurance. KELA<\/strong> is a major institution that handles various social security services<\/strong>. My family and I use their online services to apply for benefits, track applications, and stay informed about any updates. One key service we\u2019ve used is KELA<\/strong>\u2019s support for the care of small children, which provides financial aid to families through child home care allowances and parental benefits. This support has been vital, especially in the early years when my children were young. The digital platform made it easy to apply for benefits, upload necessary documents, and track the status of the applications without the need to visit a physical office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another service I personally use is OmaKanta<\/strong>, which allows citizens to access their health records<\/strong> and medical history<\/strong> digitally. Through this platform, I can easily check my prescriptions, see my test results, and communicate with healthcare professionals when necessary. I access OmaKanta<\/strong> through my bank authentication, which ensures a secure login process. It\u2019s reassuring to know that my health information is only a click away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keva Pension System<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Keva<\/strong> is a helpful digital service that provides information on pensions<\/strong> in Finland. I logged in to check my estimated pension amounts at different retirement ages. Since my minimum retirement age is 67, I couldn’t get a calculation for retiring at 63. However, I could see the estimate for retiring at 68. The difference between retiring at 67 and 68 is only a few tens of euros per month. If I wait until my target retirement age of 69, the monthly difference is less than 100 euros. Keva makes retirement planning straightforward and gives people the tools to make informed financial decisions for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Commerce and Price Comparisons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I also explored various digital shops like eBay<\/strong> and Amazon<\/strong> comparing their prices to local shops. In many cases, things were cheaper online. I think it is because they have a wider selection and lower running costs. For example, on Amazon, I found electronics significantly cheaper than in local stores, but this often comes with longer shipping times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the key concerns when shopping online is reliability<\/strong>. Services like Amazon and eBay are generally considered safe, but there is always a risk<\/strong> of encountering counterfeit products or unreliable sellers. Reading reviews and checking return policies are essential steps in ensuring a safe shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Competence in the Field of Healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An excellent healthcare-related service in Finland is Terveyskyl\u00e4 (Health Village)<\/strong>, which is a digital health service platform created by Finnish university hospitals. I chose Terveyskyl\u00e4<\/strong> because it offers a wide range of digital healthcare services and specialized information for both patients and healthcare professionals. The platform provides access to virtual health clinics, detailed medical information, and self-care instructions for various health conditions. It also includes tools for symptom checks and remote monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I appreciate most about Terveyskyl\u00e4<\/strong> is the vast amount of expert-verified information it offers, covering a wide array of medical topics, and the ability to consult virtual health services for conditions ranging from chronic illnesses to mental health support. Overall, Terveyskyl\u00e4<\/strong> is an excellent digital resource for both managing personal health and gaining access to accurate medical information. It\u2019s a great tool for those who prefer to take a proactive role in their healthcare and make use of digital tools to support their well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risks and Challenges of the Digital Divide in Healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digital divide in healthcare creates significant risks for those who don\u2019t have access to digital services. As healthcare increasingly moves to online platforms, like telemedicine, electronic health records, and online appointment systems, people without internet access or digital skills may struggle to get the care they need. This can result in delays in treatment and worsening health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elderly people or those living in rural areas face particular challenges with digital healthcare. They might not know how to book appointments or access their medical information online, leading to longer waits for care. Additionally, if they can\u2019t afford devices like smartphones or computers, they may miss out on the benefits of remote healthcare services. In short, the digital divide can increase health disparities unless everyone has equal access to digital healthcare services and the skills to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Digital Competence Test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I took a digital competence test and received solid results in areas that are important for my work as a research nurse. I scored well in information management (84%)<\/strong>, which helps me accurately handle research data and documentation. I also did well in data security (85%)<\/strong>, which is essential for keeping sensitive information safe. My production score (77%)<\/strong> was the lowest, and I think this could be because creating digital content, like presentations or detailed reports, isn\u2019t as big a part of my day-to-day tasks. As a research nurse, I spend more time managing research data, ensuring patient information is secure, and collaborating with colleagues, rather than producing large amounts of digital content. Overall, these skills make it easier for me to manage the digital aspects of my job in medical research. The test was a good reminder of areas where I can improve, but overall, I feel confident in my ability to use the digital tools necessary for my work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts and Self-Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through these assignments, I have gained a deeper understanding of how digitalization is transforming various sectors, especially healthcare and social insurance. I learned how digital tools like OmaKanta<\/strong>, Terveyskyl\u00e4<\/strong>, and KELA’s<\/strong> online services significantly simplify daily tasks, making healthcare management and access to social benefits more convenient. However, this process also highlighted the challenges posed by the digital divide<\/strong>, particularly in healthcare, where access to services and the ability to use digital tools can greatly impact people’s well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reflection has made me more aware of the importance of inclusivity in digital services. Not everyone has the skills or access needed to take advantage of digital advancements, and addressing this gap is crucial for creating a more equitable digital society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n