Kela
Recently, I have been using several Finnish digital public services more actively. I have spent more time on Kela’s online services because I am currently focusing solely on my studies and receive student financial aid and housing allowance. Applying for these benefits through Kela’s digital system was, in my experience, very straightforward and user-friendly. In addition, I have a European Health Insurance Card, which provides access to medically necessary healthcare during temporary stays in other European countries under the same conditions as local residents. Fortunately, I have never needed to use the card during my travels, but having it gives me a sense of security when travelling abroad.
OmaKanta
I have occasionally used OmaKanta for health-related matters. The service provides centralized access to personal health information and brings together data from different healthcare providers in one place. This makes it easier to follow one’s own health history and manage health-related matters independently. Access to my personal healthcare data is provided through secure electronic identification, such as online banking credentials or a mobile ID, which makes logging in both safe and convenient. I remember how, during the COVID years, vaccination records were added to OmaKanta. As I was working as a nurse at the time, I received my vaccinations early. During those years, I travelled to my partner’s home country, Italy, and OmaKanta provided easy access to official certificates of my latest COVID vaccinations when needed.
Keva
I had not visited Keva’s online services in a long time, and it was interesting to see that my minimum retirement age is currently 67 years and 10 months, although it has not yet been officially confirmed. While exploring the site, I compared different scenarios, which also reminded me why starting to invest was a good decision. I began investing through Nordnet about five years ago, and reviewing my pension information reinforced the importance of long-term financial planning. While the future is always uncertain, my personal goal is to gradually reduce my workload before reaching my official retirement age.
Keva’s digital services demonstrate how digitalisation can support long-term planning by providing clear and easily accessible information about pension-related matters. Without such digital tools, obtaining an overview of one’s pension situation would be more time-consuming and less transparent. Digital services like this enable individuals to better understand future scenarios and make informed decisions regarding their working life and financial planning.
Wizz Air
I have used Wizz Air frequently over the years, as I am originally from Turku, from where Wizz Air offers affordable flights to some destinations. I am also subscribed to Wizz Air’s newsletter, which occasionally provides discount offers of around 15–20 percent on flights, making the service even more cost-effective. From my own experience, the booking process is generally easy and straightforward. However, I have also helped a relative book a flight through the service, and they found the booking interface somewhat complicated, especially during the final stages of the reservation. This suggests that while Wizz Air can be a convenient option for experienced users, the booking process may be less intuitive for some customers.
In terms of reliability, Wizz Air is a well-established low-cost airline operating across Europe with a large customer base. Flights generally operate as scheduled, and safety standards meet European aviation regulations. However, as with many low-cost carriers, customer service may be limited in case of disruptions, and passengers are expected to manage changes and additional services independently through digital channels. Overall, Wizz Air can be considered a reliable service, provided that travelers are aware of its operating model and terms.
User Experience with the Omni360 Patient Information System
One digital service from my professional field that I have used extensively is the Omni360 patient information system. I worked with this system for several years while working in Turku, and my overall user experience has been very positive. Over time, I learned to use Omni360 in a versatile and efficient way as part of my daily clinical work. When I started learning to use the Apotti system last year, I became even more aware of how central patient information systems are to nursing work and how much time and attention their use requires. A few years ago, Omni360 received a major update that significantly reduced night-time workload, as night nurses no longer needed to create new care days for patients during night shifts. I clearly remember thinking at that moment how important it is to develop patient information systems in a way that genuinely supports healthcare professionals and improves workflow. Well-designed digital systems can make everyday work smoother and allow staff to focus more on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
Risks and Challenges of the Digital Divide
Digitalisation offers many benefits, but it also creates a digital gap that can pose significant risks and challenges for people who do not use virtual services. Individuals who lack digital skills, access to technology, or confidence in using online platforms may struggle to manage everyday tasks such as banking, healthcare appointments, or communication with public authorities. This can lead to exclusion, increased dependency on others, and difficulties in accessing essential services. Older adults, people with disabilities, and those with limited financial resources are particularly at risk. As services continue to move online, it is important to ensure that alternative options remain available and that sufficient support and guidance are provided, so that digitalisation does not increase inequality or marginalise vulnerable groups in society.
Self-Evaluation
These assignments highlighted how advanced digitalisation in Finland is compared to many other countries. Based on my personal experiences while travelling and through everyday life with my partner from south of Italy, I have noticed that in less digitalised countries many matters are still handled more often face to face or by phone. While Finland’s digital services are efficient and convenient, I believe that in some situations personal interaction can be more pleasant and meaningful than using digital channels. However, overall digitalisation significantly improves accessibility, efficiency, and flexibility in everyday life and public services.
These assignments made me more aware of my own everyday use of digital services and how naturally digital solutions are integrated into daily life in Finland. While working on the tasks, I realized how advanced and well-functioning many Finnish digital services are, and how easily they are often taken for granted. I also became more aware of how continuously digitalisation is developing and how these developments shape both public services and individual responsibilities in an increasingly digital society.
I commented on these following blogs Gilbert’s Site & Iida’s Blog about Digitalized Working Environment & Niina’s Site
I really agree with you about developing the systems to support the use. Your example from it was interesting to read. We have been trying to communicate with the owners of our client system about updates that would make things a lot easier for the users but we haven’t really been heard. It might be that we are not on the same page or we are not speaking the same language about updates of the system or the thoughts we have might not even be possible. Either way the communication would be important between us.
I’m glad you found the example interesting. I can relate to what you described about trying to communicate development needs to system providers. It often feels like frontline users have valuable insights, but they don’t always reach those making the decisions. For this reason, it is important that healthcare digitalisation projects include professionals who have hands-on experience using patient information systems in real clinical and client-facing work.
Thank you for your post. I really connected with your point about patient information systems and how even one well-designed update can change daily workload.
I also think it’s important to remember that usability is not only about the interface. Reliability matters just as much. For example, in Lifecare I’ve noticed that if you have several tabs open, the system may freeze or even crash. In real clinical work it can be necessary to have multiple views open at the same time, and then the system becomes the bottleneck. Situations like this are a good reminder that stable, robust systems are part of patient safety, not just a technical detail.
For me, if a digital service removes unnecessary steps and improves safety, it’s a success. If it shifts the burden to those who have the least skills, energy or support, it can increase inequality even if the technology is advanced. That’s why I agree with your conclusion about keeping alternative channels and real support available as services move online.
Hello!
Your text provides a clear and practical description of how digital services are integrated into everyday life, working life, and long-term planning. It is particularly interesting how you highlight your personal experiences with Kela, OmaKanta, and Keva’s services and connect them to financial planning and a sense of security. The concrete examples make the text approachable and credible.
Your professional perspective on using the Omni360 system also deepens your reflection. The description of how a system update affected the workload of night shifts clearly illustrates how digital solutions can genuinely improve workflow and workplace well-being. At the same time, you raise an important point that system development should support users rather than increase administrative burden.
I also appreciate that you examine digitalization critically from the perspective of the digital divide. Your balanced reflection on personal interaction versus digital services brings humanity and realism to the text. Overall, the writing is coherent and reflective, and it demonstrates a mature understanding of how digitalization affects both individuals and society more broadly.
Best regards, Tiina
A wonderfully clear and well-structured, engagingly written blog post.
I’ve also personally come to realize how easy it is to handle things digitally in Finland compared to many other EU countries. In Finland, for example, you hardly ever need to deal with banking matters face to face, let alone by visiting a bank branch in person. Pretty much everything can now be taken care of through apps and websites, or at the very latest via email. The same cannot be said for France, for instance, where it feels like everything is done the most complicated way possible (at least that’s how it appears to me as a Finn who has grown up with digitalization), and where matters are sometimes still handled in person using checks.
Thank you for your interesting blog post. I read your description of the Omni360 Patient Information System with great interest, as in my own workplace within the Pirkanmaa wellbeing services county, specialized healthcare is transitioning to this patient information system during the current year. I was surprised by how significant an impact a single system update can have on the overall user experience.
I agree with you that Finland is highly advanced in terms of digitalization compared to many other European countries, not to mention numerous countries around the world. However, you also highlighted the issue of insufficient digital skills, which is something I encounter almost daily in my work with mainly older adults. On the other hand, in my own profession I deal with dying patients every day, and I find it difficult to see how digitalization and end-of-life care would meaningfully intersect.
Thank you for the interesting post!
It was nice that you also shared your experiences with digital services in your personal life — Finland is actually quite advanced in these matters compared to many other European countries. I agree that in some services, personal interaction is still more important than using online services. Of course, digital services also bring flexibility and convenience.