My experiences with digitalization in the social and health sector
I bought my first smartphone in 2013, and at the time I used it mainly to read the news and find information online. Today, smartphones are much more than just sources of information – they are an integral part of everyday life. I find that apps and social media channels dominate my day, and almost all communication with acquaintances, family, school and kindergarten takes place through them. Digital services have become such a constant part of everyday life that it’s almost hard to remember not having them.
I started working as a physiotherapist in the health sector 16 years ago. Back then, patient information was entered into patient information systems on computers, but a lot of documentation was still done on paper. Over the years, technology has evolved – computers have been replaced by laptops, meetings have become remote meetings, and communication, pre-referral forms and contacts have increasingly moved to digital channels. However, paperwork has not yet completely disappeared. The exercise programmes are printed on paper, as we are not allowed to email the programme to the customer for data protection reasons. Older customers also prefer to record their care follow-up on paper forms, from which employees transfer the data to electronic systems.
This has made work smoother and reduced manual work, but I can see that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the healthcare sector through digital solutions. In particular, I expect AI (artificial intelligence) solutions to make it easier to record customer data, streamline contacts at health centres and monitor care – reducing workload while freeing up professionals’ time for what matters most: meeting patients and caring for them.
In the future of healthcare, remote services, smart technology and digital self-care solutions will hopefully make it easier for customers to monitor their health and access care more flexibly. Technological advances require constant learning, innovation and a willingness to change, both from customers and healthcare professionals. However, digitalisation must not replace everything in healthcare. While it will improve services for some, it may make them more difficult for others.
GDPR
Healthcare organisations must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which ensures the secure processing of customer data. As an employee, I need to know whose customer data I can process, to whom it can be disclosed, on what grounds and how it can be shared. The organisation monitors the processing of data, including through the use of log files. In my daily work, I have to ensure that customer data is kept up to date, that records are entered responsibly and that no one has access to my computer. I am also bound by confidentiality and non-disclosure.
The risks of an open digital society relate in particular to data security, privacy and digital inequality. In healthcare, the digitisation of patient data can improve access to care and efficiency, but it also increases the risks of data breaches and unauthorised access. If data protection practices are inadequate, sensitive health data can fall into the wrong hands, potentially compromising individual privacy. Digitalisation can also lead to exclusion if individuals do not have sufficient digital skills or access to online services.
The General Data Protection Regulation is therefore important. It protects everyone’s right to privacy and enables and holds organisations accountable for confidentiality in healthcare. However, I understand that it can also present challenges. It can be more difficult for small businesses and organisations to monitor its implementation. Strict privacy guidelines can also slow down the sharing of information between different actors and challenge the use of technological solutions in healthcare.
Chat GBT
I asked ChatGPT what direct physiotherapy at a health centre is. The answer was apt and highlighted the core purpose, functions and even benefits of the service. I found the answer positive and modern. I also asked about the core tasks of the physiotherapist at the health centre. The answer covered the subject in sufficient detail and highlighted the key issues, but did not go into the core tasks or the practicalities of the work. Furthermore, the answer implied that physiotherapy at the health centre would only take place in acute appointmets, which is not the case.
I was also inspired to ask AI for business ideas for a rehabilitation specialist. It presented six different ideas, according to their target groups and purposes. There were several feasible and interesting options.
Based on this experience, AI can provide new perspectives and innovative ideas that you wouldn’t think of yourself. While AI can answer many questions correctly, it is important to remember that there can be misunderstandings in the answers. They may also be too general or inaccurate. It is therefore essential to maintain critical thinking when using AI.
Self assessment
This assignment gave me a better understanding of the risks of an open digital society and the implications of data protection reform. At the same time, I realised that data protection and digital rights are becoming increasingly important. While doing this assignment, I reflected on how much digitalisation has progressed over the years, but how little, in comparison, we in healthcare still have to tap into its potential. I also considered the costs; how the economic situation allows for their wider adoption in healthcare. This assignment also inspired me to think about the future of my work: what opportunities and innovations might still be possible in my work. The emerging opportunities of digitalization could be better utilized, for example, in the implementation of rehabilitation and improving the customer experience. Collaboration with other professionals could also benefit from digital solutions. However, data protection regulations may ultimately limit the exploitation of their potential, for better or worse.
Setting up and running a blog site sparked a desire to learn more about digitalisation. The orientation videos also sparked an interest to hear more about the threats and opportunities of using data, as the use of AI seems to be increasing at a frantic pace. In the future, I would like to develop my own skills in the use of applications and data, because I believe their role will grow in the future also in healthcare.
I commented these blogs:
That’s true, the world has changed tremendously in recent decades. And it’s important to remember that, despite any issues with patient information systems, we are still in a much better position than in the past. For example, research work is now significantly more efficient than it was years ago. There is an enormous amount of patient data and raw data available for medical research. Take, for instance, a study on how a particular drug affects patients who are also taking other types of medication. It’s a completely different task to dig through thousands of patient paper records compared to simply running a search in a database.
Thank you for sharing this thoughtful reflection, Niina.
Your personal journey with technology mirrors what many of us have experienced, highlighting how deeply embedded digital tools have become in our daily lives. It’s particularly insightful to see how this translates into your professional work as a physiotherapist, the clear evolution from paper records to digital systems, but also the persistence of paper for valid reasons like GDPR constraints and catering to all patients’ needs and preferences.
Your points about GDPR are spot on. I think it’s vital for protecting sensitive data, yet its strictness can indeed pose practical challenges for information sharing and adopting new technologies smoothly within healthcare. The experiment with ChatGPT also serves as a great reminder of AI’s potential for generating ideas while underscoring the essential need for critical evaluation of its outputs.
Your self-assessment resonates strongly; there’s often a gap between the potential of digitalization discussed broadly and its actual, practical implementation within the complexities and constraints (including economic ones) of the healthcare system.
Thank you for your thoughtful and honest reflections on digitalisation in the healthcare field. I especially appreciated how you highlighted both the improvements and limitations of digital tools in your daily work. It was interesting to read how paper forms are still sometimes the best option, especially for elderly clients. Your insights on GDPR were also very clear — the way it protects privacy but can also slow down progress is something I’ve experienced too. You gave a great, realistic picture of the balance between technology and human care. Well written!
I really can relate to your thoughts and experiences in the past. Our world really has changed in the last two decades. Somehow it has shrinked, when you have been able to get more and more data, news, contacts etc. in just a few seconds via internet. Now the AI is really breaking the last walls. It is freaking awesome and scary at the same time. The AI needs huge amounts of energy! Digitalization overall can also take us further from each other when at the same time we really need more human contacts. How all of this growing digitalization can be used sustainably and humanely? I am a little bit concerned.
Hi Niina, and thank you for sharing your text. I got my first smartphone in 2014, and since then, there’s been no going back. All the information I need is always with me, and the fact that you can be reached—and reach others—instantly is both a curse and a great convenience.
I also work in healthcare, specifically in oral health, and I’ve witnessed the digital transformation, especially during the COVID-19 years. Remote appointments and digital health services have increased, bringing both relief and new learning requirements for professionals.
In my experience, internal training for healthcare professionals has not kept pace with the changing services. Digital health services are being developed, but the responsibility for training often falls on the employees themselves, typically in their own time. At least, that’s how it feels in my own work.
Currently, there are still many elderly people in Finland for whom using digital devices is unfamiliar or difficult. However, I believe that in ten years, the elderly population will be more capable of using digital health services, and I see service accessibility improving in the future.
We are now living in a transitional phase, where some people have been left behind by the digital shift. We should continue to offer traditional health services to them. At the same time, I believe it’s very important to keep developing better and more efficient digital services and tools that help professionals engage with patients more easily and support data processing and documentation—so that there is more time for actual patient interaction, whether it happens remotely or face-to-face.
I’m excited about the future and see great potential in combining artificial intelligence with healthcare services.
Hei Niina,
Your article is interesting from my point of view. I liked your explanations about your experiences of buying your first cellphone and becoming a physiotherapist. You gave examples about use of remote meetings and the changes from paper to computer systems that were very good. You also highlighted the challenges, such as the need for paper for elderly patients and data protection regulations. Your analysis of GDPR and how it affects small healthcare providers was excellent. i liked Your experience with ChatGPT and AI because it showed the benefits and disadvantages of utilizing digital tools. I do agree with you that digitalization should be supported, not replace of human care.
Wishing you all the success!
https://blogi.savonia.fi/masoumehsaeid/
Hi Niina,
Your post was very interesting to read from a nurse’s perspective. I also work at a health center and can relate to many things you mentioned in your text. At our health center, we only have one physiotherapist, which means she mainly handle direct access appointments. Therefore, we refer chronic cases, such as post-surgical rehabilitation, to other centers that have more physiotherapists.
I work in the public sector and we use the same system as other health centers, which sometimes causes problems with appointment bookings. Other health centers often don’t understand why we don’t handle chronic patients ourselves but instead guide them to book appointments elsewhere. This has led to situations where other centers have booked patients directly into our physiotherapist’s direct access slots without permission, simply because they have seen “empty space” in the schedule.
Digitalization has brought many benefits, but it also causes a lot of headaches when it comes to information transfer.
Hi Niina!
Thank you for interesting thoughts about digitalization in the social and health sector. You effectively highlight the transformative impact of technology on daily life and professional practices, as well as the challenges of balancing innovation with data protection, accessibility, and inclusion. Your observations about GDPR and the integration of AI are particularly insightful, emphasizing the need for responsible data handling and the potential benefits of advanced technological solutions. The call for continuous learning and adaptability resonates deeply in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Overall, your reflections inspire deeper consideration of how to harness digitalization while ensuring its equitable and ethical application.
Hello Niina!
I’m also in the healthcare sector and have experienced the same change in working practices as digitalisation has taken over. I have worked in the health sector for over thirty years, so I also have experience of the days when everything was done manually. I remember how great it was when a secretary used to type on an electric typewriter! We have come a long way in just a few decades 🙂
I also recognise that The General Data Protection Regulation both protects and hinders work in the health sector. The privacy protections are so strong that they can slow down the transfer of data between agencies and even slow down access to care. At one stage, when I was working on a project that allowed me to compare practices in different welfare areas, I noticed that privacy can even be interpreted differently in two different welfare jurisdictions and, despite good intentions, there is no uniform policy across the country. This alone shows that although we have come a long way on many issues, we still have a long way to go
Niina’s text encouraged me to pause and truly reflect on how far digitalization has taken us—not only in our daily lives, but in the social and health care sector as well. Her experiences made me realize how much our work has already evolved, but also how many opportunities remain untapped. Especially in healthcare, where human interaction is vital, it’s important to find a balance between technology and empathy.
This text also made me more aware of the importance of data protection and the ethical responsibilities that come with handling sensitive information. While digital tools and AI can bring remarkable improvements, they must be implemented thoughtfully, keeping in mind both patient safety and inclusivity.
Thank you Niina! It was nice to read your blog post about digitalization in the social and health care sector.
I see the same things happening in my own work in early childhood education. Over the years, more digital applications have also been introduced into our work environment, replacing the forms that were previously filled out by hand. Nowadays various collaboration meetings are mostly organized remotely, which in turn has saved time since there is no longer a need to move from one place to another. In some way, it could also be said that technology has made communication between professionals easier as well.
You have understood well that digitalization cannot replace everything in the social and health care sector. And not in early childhood education either. These fields still require people and genuine human encounters. There are also client groups for whom digital forms simply are not suitable.
As digitalization increases, we all need to be ready for change and willing to learn new things. It is important to help employees improve their skills, and the effects of digitalization should already be included in education. This way, people who are starting in the field will understand how technology is used in real work situations. It is also important to remember that professionals often play an important role when teaching clients how to use digital tools or assistive devices.
Hi Niina,
Your insights into digitalization in healthcare from a physiotherapist’s perspective are really interesting. I especially resonated with your thoughts on AI’s potential to streamline data recording and patient monitoring, which could free up healthcare professionals to focus more on direct patient care. At the same time, your caution about ensuring digitalization doesn’t replace the essential human element in healthcare is so important—technology should support, not substitute, the personal connection that is central to effective care.
From a patient’s perspective, I see some significant shifts underway that could reshape how care is experienced. Digital tools and remote monitoring can empower patients to take greater control over their health. Instead of waiting for in-person appointments, they might track progress in real time, receive personalized exercise programs via apps, and get immediate feedback, making rehabilitation more interactive and motivating.
Access to digital health records and communication platforms can also help patients become more engaged in their care. They can better understand their conditions, prepare questions beforehand, and feel like active partners rather than passive recipients.
Niina, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I really enjoyed reading your reflection. It’s so relatable how you described your journey with technology from your first smartphone to now using apps and digital tools in almost every part of your life. I think a lot of us have experienced the same, but hearing how it’s impacted your work made it real.
I liked your point about GDPR. It’s so important to protect people’s data but at the same time it can make things even more complecated, especially when trying to introduce new digital tools or improve workflows. I also had similar moments with ChatGPT. AI can be super helpful but it’s not perfect and you can’t trust it blindly.
I like that you are also thinking about the future and what’s possible in your work. There is so much potential in using digital tools and it’s exciting to see it all developing.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with digitalization in healthcare. It’s great to see how technology has improved certain aspects of your work, but also important to recognize the ongoing challenges—especially around data protection and accessibility. I really appreciated your reflections on the role of AI and how it can support, but not replace human care.
Thank you for sharing your experience with digitalization. Your experiences were not only insightful but also relatable. The role of digitalization is evolving, especially in the social and healthcare sector. I appreciated how you balanced the benefit of digital tools with the importance of maintaining personal connections with patients, especially the vulnerable group, and as a nurse I can testify to these importance. And YES! while GDPR is very important , it does add to daily work complexity.
I also found your experiences with ChatGPT interesting. it’s true that AI can spark creative thinking but still requires a critical eye. Thank you. Thank you
Hi Niina,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
As you said digital service has become costant in everyday life, it is hard to remember not having them.
I have been moved to Finalnd for 11 years. I have seen the improvement in health sector. I use Maisa app since my preganancy, it is very handy to check the appointment and see nurse and doctor’s summary. I can leave message and ask question to the nurse. It is a big improvement compaired with 8 years ago.
The paper notification and reminders are not nessesary anymore, because all the info can be found from Maisa via app and website.