{"id":17,"date":"2025-02-12T13:42:22","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T11:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/niinaaimasmaki\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2025-03-11T11:38:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T09:38:59","slug":"digi-society","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/niinaaimasmaki\/digi-society\/","title":{"rendered":"DIGI SOCIETY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

My experiences with digitalization in the social and health sector<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Over the years, technology has evolved – computers have been replaced by laptops, meetings have become remote meetings, and communication, pre-referral forms and contacts have increasingly moved to digital channels.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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GDPR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chat GBT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I commented these blogs: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DIGI SOCIETY<\/a><\/blockquote>