In my work as a psychiatric nurse in outpatient care, I use the Esko patient information system, the Lifecare patient information system, NordLab laboratory appointment booking, Terveysportti, THL websites, the Mental Health Center’s (Mielenterveystalo) professional section and websites intended for clients’ self-care. The Therapy Navigator (Terapianavigaattori.fi) is a tool for assessing the need for treatment. Next, I should familiarize myself with various digital treatment paths.

I also use Nepton working time tracking, Pohde internal intranet, Hessu human resources pages, Outlook email and the Teams channel for communication, file storage and meetings. This list turned out to be surprisingly long, something might have been forgotten. Working in a digital environment fills the working day. My working day starts by logging in to my work computer with my professional card.

5 APPLICATIONS IN MY WORK

Several social media applications are designed for interactive communication. In my work, sensitive and confidential matters are handled. Data protection policies and organizational guidelines determine the extent to which digital applications can be used.

LINKEDIN

I cannot use LinkedIn for actual patient care. However, it is a good platform for professional networking and supports professional development. Through discussions, users can share educational information and gain new insights into developments in the field. LinkedIn also provides information about events and training opportunities. It is a useful channel for showcasing one’s expertise and searching for job opportunities.

INSTAGRAM

Instagram can help users become familiar with different work units, provided that those units have permission from their employer to share experiences on social media. My employer has strict rules regarding the use of social media during working hours. In patient care, Instagram could provide information about organizations and events. Healthcare work must be based on researched and evidence-based knowledge. Information obtained through various platforms is not always reliable or scientifically validated.

TODOIST

This seems like a useful tool for team development work and task allocation. It would likely clarify responsibilities and scheduling. However, I believe it is better suited for project-based work than for professionals whose primary role is direct patient care. I could see myself using it for creating personal task lists.

DEEPL

I could use DeepL to assist with language translation when I need documents translated into Finnish. For example, research articles are often written in foreign languages. Since interpreter services are not always available, I believe I could use DeepL to support communication and provide instructions to patients. However, there are risks from a patient safety perspective. Medical terminology may be translated incorrectly. I would not use the application to support clinical decision-making, nor would I enter patient information into it.

MIRO

Miro is also suitable for team brainstorming, planning, and collaborative development in real time or asynchronously, especially when team members work in different units across a region. I could use it during team development days to improve services. In my opinion, it is also well suited for multidisciplinary development work and various workshops. Its use requires staff training and familiarization. The application supports information sharing, collaboration, and participatory development, which can improve both the quality of care and workflow efficiency.

SUCCESSFUL USE OF DIGITAL APPLICATIONS

Many factors influence the successful use of digital applications. Successful use is based on the application being useful, user-friendly, reliable, secure, and suitable for the user’s needs. It is important that the application serves the user well, is easy to learn, and provides accessible instructions. A clear structure and easy accessibility are likely to attract users. Clear guidance should also be available for handling error situations.

I consider reliability and information security to be the most important factors. Data protection policies must be clear, and user information must be properly protected. Strong user authentication increases trust in digital services. Digital solutions are expected to bring savings, efficiency, and ease to work; therefore, they should provide added value and integrate smoothly into daily work.

In healthcare, compatibility between different information systems is particularly important. An example is the transfer of laboratory results into patient information systems. In the workplace, staff training and management support are needed during the implementation of new applications. Employee motivation to learn new skills is also essential.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Through this assignment, I became familiar with completely new tools. There are many of them, and some serve similar purposes. I have generally been critical of media and have avoided joining various social media platforms. It is important for me to understand the background of any tool and what it is connected to.

Due to the nature of my profession, I want to protect my privacy. I also wish to limit my screen time so that meaningful and personally enriching activities do not decrease during my free time. I am still considering whether to join some platforms, as I want to carefully evaluate both the benefits and the drawbacks.

In my work, I want to learn how to use new tools in a controlled and informed manner. Digital tools have brought new opportunities and high-quality resources to my work, and their use promotes more equal access to patient care.

This assignment provided me with new perspectives on how work has changed and continues to evolve. It offered insights into how different digital tools can be utilized both professionally and personally. While completing the assignment, the importance of maintaining secure working practices became particularly evident. I found this section useful from a learning perspective.

Overall, this course reminded me how digitalization is constantly present in everyday life. Reading other students’ blogs revealed a shared concern: it is easy for people to become excluded from society. A weak financial situation or a lack of digital skills can very easily lead to social exclusion.