Kela and the European Health Insurance Card

As a student I used the services provided by Kela when I was studying full-time. I received student financial aid as well as a student loan. Student financial aid allows many to fully focus on their studies without constant financial stress. In addition, the government-guaranteed student loan is a good extra support especially when it is not possible to work alongside studies. It is great that in Finland there is a system like this that helps young people get an education and build their future.

Because I travel a lot I have had a European Health Insurance Card for a long time. The card brings peace of mind when traveling in Europe as it entitles you to necessary medical care in EU and EEA countries at the same cost as locals. Even though I have not yet had to use the card its existence is an important safeguard in case of unexpected situations. It is good that the card can be easily obtained through Kela’s online service and that getting it is free of charge.

OmaKanta

The next task was related to the OmaKanta service which allows access to one’s own health information. Logging in was done with bank credentials and the whole process was very clear.

In OmaKanta I could see for example vaccination records, laboratory and X-ray results, as well as summaries of doctor visits. A service I use there often is renewing prescriptions. It is reassuring to see how all the information is stored digitally. In addition, OmaKanta offers the possibility to review and manage one’s own treatment decisions and to give consents for example for sharing information between different healthcare providers. This increases transparency and gives the patient more control over matters related to their care. It is also possible to check when and where health information has been accessed which adds a greater sense of data security.

I find it important that the OmaKanta service is available regardless of time and place. For example, when traveling or moving from one locality to another it is easy to check health information without paper documents.

Reliable or not? Experiences with Amazon Online Store

Amazon is one of the world’s largest and most well-known online stores. It is a wide selection and competitive prices attract buyers to purchase a variety of products ranging from electronics to books, clothing, and household items. Based on my own experiences, Amazon is mostly a reliable service, especially when orders are placed directly from Amazon’s warehouse (“Sold by Amazon” or “Fulfilled by Amazon”). Products have generally arrived on time, and the return processes are clear and functional.

Amazon’s biggest advantage is its convenience: products can be ordered with just a couple of clicks, and the selection is often broader and cheaper than in physical stores. Product reviews also help in making purchasing decisions. For example, the same electronic device that costs 120 euros in a store may cost only 90 euros on Amazon. However, shipping fees and possible customs charges can increase the price, so the final savings depend on the situation. Especially for rarer products, Amazon may be the only reasonable option since not everything is available in Finnish online stores or physical shops.

However, there are also risks associated with the service. The biggest risk involves third-party sellers operating through Amazon’s platform. Not all sellers are reliable, and sometimes products can be counterfeit or the quality may differ from the description. For this reason, it is important to check seller feedback and assess the risk before making a purchase decision. Additionally, Amazon’s vast product offering can tempt impulse buying, so consumers should stay critical and plan their purchases carefully. Another noteworthy aspect is security and privacy. Amazon collects a large amount of data about customers’ shopping behavior and recommends products using algorithms, which can feel useful but also somewhat intrusive.

The Chillaa App from a School Social Worker’s perspective

I chose the Chillaa app as a digital service that I use in my work as a school social worker. Chillaa is a mobile app designed for young people that offers tools for managing stress anxiety and mental well-being. The app includes for example breathing exercises relaxation recordings, a mood diary and tips for calming everyday life. I chose this service because it directly meets young people’s needs and works as an easily accessible support tool in daily life exactly where young people already spend their time: on their phones.

My own experiences with the Chillaa app have been very positive. I have recommended the app to many students. Many have found it useful especially when it is difficult to put their feelings into words or handle them alone. The app does not replace talking therapy but works well as support for example in practicing emotion and stress management between lessons or social worker meetings. It is also important that the app is free easy to use and available in Finnish. This lowers the barrier to trying and using it independently. In my opinion Chillaa is a good example of how digital services can support mental health and help prevent problems from worsening at an early stage.

Digitalization and the digital divide: Who is left out?

Through the tasks my understanding has been strengthened that digitalization makes many people’s daily lives easier. However the benefits of digitalization are not distributed evenly. Especially elderly people immigrants individuals with developmental disabilities and those without digital skills may be left outside of services.

This digital divide can cause exclusion and inequality. For example, if Kela services are only available online a person without a device or the skills will not receive their benefits on time. The digitalization of healthcare can also be problematic if a patient cannot read or understand their health information through digital channels. Society should invest in digital education guidance and alternative ways to access services. Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in society equally even without digital tools.

Self-reflection

Overall the topics covered in the tasks were already quite familiar to me since I use digital services regularly both in everyday life and at work. Still completing the tasks offered a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect on these services more consciously. In particular I found myself thinking about what areas for improvement we still have in Finland on the way toward a truly accessible and equal digital society for example from the perspective of the elderly immigrants or those needing special support.

I also gained new ideas and perspectives from reading other students’ blog posts. It was interesting to notice how varied our experiences and emphases are regarding digital services and how much we can learn by comparing and sharing experiences with each other. This task helped strengthen my own critical approach to using digital services and made me consider how I can better promote digital inclusion in my own work.