DIGI CITIZEN

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