When I started nursing studies in 2011, healthcare was in the middle of a big transition. Electronic health record (EHR) systems were becoming common, but in many places, nurses still wrote notes by hand. It felt like we were living in two worlds: one foot in the old paper-based routines, the other stepping into digital care. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, by 2011 over 90% of health centers and most specialized care units already used electronic patient records. The national online health service OmaKanta and electronic prescriptions had just been introduced in the first regions in 2010, and by 2012 patient data began to be stored there. This was more than a technical change; it was a cultural shift. Suddenly, professionals had to trust that the screen in front of them held the same weight as the paper charts we had used for decades.

I worked as a nurse until 2021 in various environments: surgical wards, operating rooms, intensive care units, and home care. During those years, I used several systems for documentation, including Miranda, Effica, and later Lifecare. Each system had its own logic, shortcuts, and quirks, and learning them was part of the job. In the operating room, anesthesia records were still documented on paper when I started. Later, I moved to a unit where electronic anesthesia documentation was already in use. The ICU had its own critical care information system, and we even used mobile applications that allowed us to record patients’ vital signs directly into the EHR in real time. That was a game-changer: no more scribbling numbers on paper and entering them later. When I worked in home care in Germany in 2015–2016, nurses accessed a basic home care management tool via smartphone. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked, and it showed how mobile solutions were starting to shape care. Digitalisation was everywhere, even if we didn’t always notice it. Every new tool promised efficiency, but it also meant learning something new, adjusting workflows, and sometimes dealing with frustration when systems didn’t talk to each other.

In 2021, I made a big change: I moved from nursing to Health IT. My first role was as an application specialist, later taking on system administrator tasks for Lifecare. I worked in application support, handled service requests, and solved technical issues. Eventually, I joined project teams for system rollouts and other development work. These projects involve people all over Finland, so most communication happens online through Teams and similar tools.
This shift gave me a new perspective. As a nurse, I had often wondered why systems worked the way they did. Now, I was part of the team making those decisions. It’s a different world, one where usability, security, and compliance are daily topics.

EHR systems are no longer just documentation tools. They are part of the entire care process. Data flows more smoothly between systems, and national solutions keep evolving. In the future, integration will go even further: patient data will move automatically between primary care, specialized care, and social services. That means fewer gaps, fewer duplicate entries, and better continuity of care.

Another big change is analytics and AI. Right now, most healthcare data is structured, but it’s used in a very limited way. Imagine if AI could provide real-time decision support, highlight risks, or suggest treatment options based on patterns in the data. Remote tools are also here to stay. Patients can already book appointments, renew prescriptions, and check lab results online. They can even message healthcare professionals. These tools change workflows and require systems that support multichannel care. For professionals, this means balancing face-to-face care with digital communication.

GDPR

Digitalisation brings opportunities, but also risks. More data online means more chances for misuse or breaches. To address this, the EU introduced GDPR in 2016, applied from 2018. It changed how organizations handle personal data and how professionals think about privacy. When I started in Health IT, I realized GDPR isn’t just rules on paper. It affects system design, communication, and everyday decisions. As a nurse, I already knew patient data was sensitive; access was restricted and monitored. GDPR strengthened these practices and made consent more important. Patients must now be able to give and withdraw consent easily.

In daily work, we focus on data minimization: Do we really need this piece of information? How long should we keep it? Who can access it? GDPR also dictates retention periods, influencing automatic deletions and archiving. Outside healthcare, GDPR impacts everyday activities too, like managing member data in associations. Every piece of data needs a clear purpose, security, and transparency. The regulation has improved awareness and trust, but challenges remain. Legacy systems weren’t built for privacy, strict rules can slow workflows, and remote work adds complexity. Still, GDPR reminds us that technology must respect people’s rights.

AI & ChatGPT

AI is everywhere in the headlines, and yes, I’ve tested ChatGPT myself. I asked questions about GDPR, patient data, and EHR systems. The answers were clear and helpful, but sometimes too general or missing local details. Occasionally, the AI repeated points or gave plausible but incorrect information. It became clear that while AI can assist in knowledge work, it cannot replace professional judgment or hands-on experience. In healthcare, AI has huge potential: saving time, supporting decisions, and providing education. But it needs human oversight. Blind trust in algorithms is not an option.

Self-Evaluation

Digitalisation isn’t just about technology. It’s about ethics, workflows, and user experience. If done right, it improves care and makes work easier. But it requires continuous learning and critical thinking.
In the future, I want to explore AI applications, cybersecurity, and tools that make healthcare safer and more efficient. Technology should help professionals, not overwhelm them.

I have commented on the following blogs:

DIGI SOCIETY | Chuong’s site
DIGI SOCIETY – Sanna’s site