Kela

I familiarized myself with Kela’s services through their website. In my own life, I have used Kela’s services the last time when I was studying, and the next time when I took parental leave. After that, Kela pays child benefits, but this doesn’t require any interaction on Kela’s website. I logged into the site and reviewed my own information. It seems that it’s easy to submit all applications through Kela’s website once you are logged in. Kela’s service points have largely transitioned to appointment-based operations, and Kela’s services have shifted to being managed digitally. I was a bit surprised that Kela doesn’t have a chat service, as it is a very common form of customer service in various places. Chat is often a low-threshold method of contact, and a ChatBot can frequently answer frequently asked questions. Chat could be a good addition to Kela’s website, provided that resources allow for it.

OmaKanta & Keva

I use the OmaKanta service irregularly. The most common reason for using the OmaKanta service is to check the validity of electronic prescriptions and renew prescriptions. The page is easy to use, and the necessary information is easily accessible. Also, the information about dependents is easily found.

I have visited Keva’s website to check my pension information out of sheer curiosity. According to Keva’s pension calculator, I still have 30.5 years until my minimum retirement age, so waking up for work is on the agenda for many days to come. The calculator didn’t even allow me to calculate how much pension I would receive if I retired at 63. If I were to retire at 68, which is very close to my estimated minimum retirement age, I would receive a pension a few hundred euros less than my current base salary. The calculator on the site was easy to use, and reviewing my own information was interesting, although retirement at this age still feels very distant.

Digital Stores

I have personally used eBay several times. I have bought items both directly and through the auction format. I have purchased collectibles and items that are not available in Finland. I used PayPal for transactions, which I find to be a reliable method. I have a positive overall impression of eBay as a service. Feedback given to sellers allows checking if the seller has acted reliably. Product descriptions vary, and the ethics of some products raise concerns. eBay sells many cheap products produced in China, and it’s impossible to determine the origin of raw materials and the manufacturing conditions. Some products are not cheaper than the price level in Finland, and, for example, some country’s pharmacies sell their products on eBay. It’s impossible to verify the authenticity of products when buying from eBay, so when purchasing branded items, I prefer either original stores or Finnish companies.

I have used Booking.com and Trivago when looking for suitable accommodations while traveling. I have used these sites only when traveling within the borders of Finland. I always compare prices on the hotel’s own website. I think Booking.com and Trivago find the most affordable accommodations well. The inclusion of breakfast in the price is prominently mentioned on the sites, which is crucial when searching for a suitable hotel. I find the sites reliable. Their reliability is enhanced by the international nature of the sites and extensive advertising, for example, on television.

I generally use online stores extensively in my life. Living in a small town where it is impossible to get everything needed locally, the popularity of online stores has grown significantly over the years. I remember a time when a catalog arrived in the mailbox, and products were ordered by mailing an order form. Nowadays, online shopping is effortless and sometimes even too easy. Payment for orders has also become increasingly convenient, and money can be debited from the account with almost a single button press.

Mielenterveystalo.fi 

Mielenterveystalo.fi provides online therapy services to its clients. I don’t have personal experience with the service, but I wanted to include it in this blog post because online therapy is an excellent invention that allows clients to access low-threshold services quickly. Clients need a referral for the service, but the referral can be written by any doctor. In many small towns, clients may find it awkward to seek services within their municipality due to the fear of being stigmatized. With online therapy, clients can participate from their homes without the fear of stigma. Additionally, online therapy allows clients to receive personalized treatment that may not be available in their local services. Clients can participate in online therapy from their computers almost anywhere, increasing participation with a low threshold and minimal resources. As a professional, I have informed others about the existence of such a service, although I cannot personally attest to its effectiveness. I believe everyone is aware of the state of mental health patient care in Finland, so this is an excellent way to clear the fog. Hopefully, the service will be widely used.

Digital Divide

The threats and risks of digitization and the digital divide affect people who do not want or are unable to use digital services. This is evident in social isolation. Therefore, it is crucial to provide services in the traditional way to ensure that services are available to everyone. If health services move to digital format, there should be guidance and counseling available to customers on how to use these services. Incompetence creates dependence on others, limiting a person’s independence and ability to manage their affairs. As mentioned earlier in this writing, even Kela’s services have largely moved to digital format. In this context, the economic aspect of marginalization must also be taken into account. Individuals who struggle to use digital services and cannot access Kela’s offices may have difficulty accessing financial benefits.

People without access to the Internet may have difficulty obtaining the right information about health services. In addition, seeking treatment may be complicated in some cases. Many service points have reduced or are reducing phone hours and are moving appointment booking activities to their websites, which makes it easier for healthcare staff but complicates access to treatment for many clients. Not all services can be digitized, and there is not even a need for it. The new generation copes differently with digital challenges, but we also need to take care of those who have already fallen behind in development.

Self-Assessment

I familiarized myself with various digital services, such as Kela, OmaKanta, and Keva websites. I learned that digital services offer versatile possibilities, such as easy automation of transactions and information review. Many services have strongly transitioned into digital formats. The websites often emphasized user-friendliness, and information was easily accessible.

My experiences with digital services are diverse and enlightening, aiding me in better understanding the impact of the digital world on both daily life and professional activities. It is especially important to take care of those individuals who, for one reason or another, are unable to use digital services.

I have commented on the following blog posts:

DIGI CITIZEN
Digi Citizen
DIGI CITIZEN