Digitalization in healthcare and future ideas
I am confused when I think that from my birth in 1978 to today is the same amount of time as from 1934 when I was born. Since the 1930s, technology has developed tremendously. For example, cars and household appliances have increased and developed tremendously, not to mention healthcare technology. In my childhood, there were no computers or cell phones. The computer started to come into my life in junior high school during optional classes. However, I only started using the computer more during my midwifery studies, although even then searching for information via the Internet was still far from today. Even though I felt that information technology was not present in my childhood, the first healthcare IT-days were held in my hometown Siilinjärvi in 1975, there were 37 participants. This spring 2022, I participated for the first time in healthcare IT-days and there were 1800 participants!
I have worked in a hospital for 19 years as a midwife in the postpartum ward. For the past 2 years, I have been working in the development of electronic services for healthcare units. The work of a midwife changed a lot during my time. More technology is involved all the time. For example, different meters are used to monitor the well-being of the mother and the newborn. The biggest change was when patient information started to be written on the computer in the patient information system instead of on paper. The next big advancement was that I can write patient data and measurement results directly in the patient room on a separate device, from which they go directly to the patient data. Before I used to write them down on paper and later the machine. Electronic patient information systems have improved the quality and safety of care. But it has also taken up much of the time spent with the patient.
Currently, mothers and fathers participate a lot in monitoring the baby’s well-being. They monitor, for example, the baby’s weight, temperature and amount of pee. The parents tell the results to the nurse, who records them in the patient records. In the future, I believe and hope that the patient or the patient’s relative will have the opportunity to record things in the patient information system themselves, from which the nurse will possibly just acknowledge the information as seen or correct. Telemedicine have increased a lot during Covid-19. In the work of a midwife, I have seen telemedicine implemented, for example, at a lactation clinic. Birth care is concentrated in large hospitals, to which many families have a long journey. I believe that telemedicine is here to stay and will increase even more. The nursing shortage is a reality. Could there be something to be learned from telemedicine for the nursing work done in the hospital as well? Could we use technology to make even more use of patients and their families? Could technology enable discharge earlier when monitoring would be more successful at home? Technology can replace part of the nurse’s work and easy work, but it cannot completely replace meeting the patient face to face.
Risk of open digital society
Digitization is part of everyday life for most of us. It has brought a lot of relief at work and in free time. The increase in digitization has also brought misuse of data. It is important that citizens know how to use online services safely. Since 2018, the law regulating the processing of personal data has been in force in EU countries, GDPR, which comes from the words General Data Protection Regulation.
In healthcare we take fulfilling GDPR very seriously. It has been big change, but it needs to be done carefully for safety. GDPR also increases users’ awareness of how their data is used and saved. Although I believe that in Finland healthcare tries to use data appropriately and safely, not everyone does so. It is important that users learn to be aware of the risks when giving out their information.
So, even though GDPR has brought a lot more work and things to learn to my work, I feel it is worth it and I am satisfied that I have learned to be more aware of how my data is used.
Self evaluation
I started my digital health studies 1,5 years ago and this subject area was familiar from there. Orientation materials were very interesting, and speakers were good. It was exciting to see what can already be done with digitization and what benefits are possibly coming. The topics were inspiring, such as how we could use drones in healthcare. I´m happy that I learn to build blog. It was an interesting change compared to other studies. In the future, I would like to learn more about future innovations, how digitization can be utilized. I learned that alongside reading a scientific text, it can be very useful to listen to inspirational speakers.
I commented on the following blogs: