{"id":7,"date":"2026-05-06T05:32:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T02:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/rehemapeltorinta\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2026-05-19T19:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:11:01","slug":"digi-society","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/rehemapeltorinta\/digi-society\/","title":{"rendered":"DIGI SOCIETY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Digitalisation in clinical practice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitalisation has changed society rapidly and affects almost every area of life, including healthcare, education, banking, and communication. In healthcare, digital tools have improved patient care, communication, and access to information. At the same time, digitalisation also creates challenges related to privacy, cybersecurity, and information overload. I have worked as a registered nurse in Finland for 18 years, mainly in surgical nursing with pre- and postoperative and trauma patients. During the last four years, I have worked as a phlebotomist, taking blood samples, ECGs, and guiding patients. During my career, I have seen major digital changes in healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I started working as a nurse, many tasks were still paper-based. Patient documentation was often handwritten, medication lists were printed, and communication between departments depended heavily on phone calls and physical paperwork. Today, most healthcare organisations use electronic health record systems (EHRs), digital medication systems, and electronic laboratory requests. Digitalisation has made information easier to access and share between healthcare professionals. This has improved patient safety because healthcare workers can quickly access patient history, medications, allergies, and laboratory results. In laboratory work and phlebotomy, digitalisation has improved efficiency and accuracy. Barcode systems reduce identification errors, laboratory requests are transferred electronically, and test results are available faster than before. ECG machines can now store and transfer information digitally, allowing physicians to review results remotely and immediately. In surgical wards, monitoring systems, electronic medication administration, and digital care plans have improved workflow and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In healthcare, connected technologies can improve patient monitoring, reduce waiting times, and support remote care services. Telemedicine has become more common especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients can now communicate with healthcare professionals through video appointments and digital platforms, without always needing to visit healthcare centres in person. Smart devices and wearable technology can monitor heart rate, blood glucose, sleep patterns, and physical activity in real time. This allows healthcare professionals to follow patients remotely and intervene earlier when problems arise. When it comes to big data, healthcare is becoming increasingly data-driven and large amounts of information can reveal patterns that were previously impossible to see. Big data can help identify diseases earlier, improve treatment planning, and support preventive care. However, I also worry about the misuse of data, violation of privacy, and loss of free will caused by big data and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe digitalisation will continue to change healthcare significantly in the future. One future trend is the increased use of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and decision-making. AI systems may help analyse laboratory results, medical images, and patient data faster than humans. This could improve early detection of diseases and reduce human errors. However, healthcare professionals will still be needed because patient care also requires empathy, communication, ethical judgment, and human interaction. Despite these positive developments, digitalisation also creates challenges. Healthcare workers may experience stress if systems are difficult to use or constantly changing. Older patients or vulnerable groups may struggle with digital services. It is important that digital healthcare remains accessible and inclusive for everyone. In addition, healthcare workers will need strong digital skills in addition to clinical competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

An open digital society creates many opportunities, but it also involves risks. Cybersecurity threats, data breaches, identity theft, misinformation, and privacy concerns are increasing globally. Healthcare organisations are especially vulnerable because they store sensitive personal and medical information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In healthcare, data protection is extremely important. Patients trust healthcare professionals with sensitive personal information. If patient data is leaked or misused, it can cause emotional harm, discrimination, and loss of trust. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered into force in 2016 and became applicable in 2018 across the European Union. GDPR aims to protect personal data and improve privacy rights. In healthcare, GDPR has affected how patient information is stored, shared, and processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my working life, GDPR has increased awareness about confidentiality and data protection. Healthcare workers must be careful when handling patient information, logging into systems, sharing data, and using digital devices. Training related to data security has become more common. Patients also have more rights regarding their own information, including the right to know how their data is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many positive effects of GDPR. It improves patient privacy, increases transparency, and encourages organisations to strengthen cybersecurity. It also helps build trust between patients and healthcare providers. However, GDPR can also create challenges. Sometimes healthcare professionals feel that regulations increase paperwork and administrative work. Strict data protection rules may slow communication between organisations. There can also be uncertainty about what information can be shared and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, GDPR has made me more aware of online privacy not only at work but also in everyday life. I think more carefully about passwords, social media privacy, online services, and sharing personal information digitally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this assignment, I tested ChatGPT by asking questions related to healthcare and laboratory work. The answers were usually clear, fast, and informative. ChatGPT could explain procedures and provide general healthcare information quite well. However, the answers were sometimes too general and lacked detailed clinical understanding. Artificial intelligence cannot fully understand patient situations, emotions, or ethical issues. AI can also provide incorrect or outdated information. Overall, I think artificial intelligence has great potential in healthcare. It may help healthcare professionals save time, support decision-making, and improve access to information. Still, human professionals are needed because patient care requires empathy, communication, and responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-Evaluation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This assignment helped me better understand both the benefits and challenges of digitalisation in healthcare and society. I learned more about big data, cybersecurity, GDPR, and artificial intelligence. The videos also made me reflect on my own relationship with technology and online privacy. I realised that technology  continues to develop quickly, and healthcare professionals must continuously adapt and learn new digital skills. At the same time, it is important to make sure that human interaction, ethics, and privacy remain important in healthcare. AI may support diagnostics and decision-making, but I believe healthcare will always need human interaction, empathy, and clinical judgment. Technology should support healthcare professionals, not replace them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the future, I would like to learn more about artificial intelligence in healthcare, cybersecurity, and how digital systems can be designed to better support both patients and healthcare workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I left a comment in the following blogs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/henriikka<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/blogi.savonia.fi\/hannailjin\/digi-society\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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