Digitalization in my own field of expertise
I am relatively new to this field, having graduated just four years ago. Since then, I have worked as a registered nurse in Keski-Uusimaa Welfare County. The Finnish healthcare system has surprised me significantly. For a country of its size, Finland has performed remarkably well compared to others in the region. Looking back five years, I was assigned to the surgical ward when I had my exchange at the largest eye hospital in central London. Every time I escorted a patient to the operating room, I had to carry around 2 to 3 kilos of their documents with me. One day, one of my patients’ procedures was delayed simply because the doctor couldn’t locate the pre-assessment papers. Yes, this happened in London, United Kingdom—a country that has long been a leader in many technical fields and innovation indices. However, despite these advancements, for various reasons, they still haven’t integrated patient data into a unified system, even for those living in the same city. I have been three different places in London during my internship—an eye hospital, a cardiology clinic, and a mental health clinic. Although they were all part of the NHS, each used different software. As a result, we wasted time and resources due to this
Upon returning to Finland, my appreciation for our digital healthcare system only deepened. While there are still challenges, such as the use of different software across regions, we have an integrated system that connects all patient data seamlessly. This integration, combined with a largely paperless work environment, has made my job much easier. With just one professional card(SOTE) and access to a computer, I can efficiently manage my workload. In Keski-Uusimaa Welfare County, there were plans to switch to the Apotti system, which would integrate with Helsinki University Hospital’s platform. However, this transition was delayed due to financial constraints. Despite this setback, we have been able to adapt and continue delivering care without significant delays.
In my opinion, a lack of financial resources should never compromise the quality of patient care. For instance, the robotic medicine dispenser at the university hospital is a prime example of technology that reduces time and minimizes the risk of medication errors. If I were in the patient’s position, I would hope for equal access to high-quality treatment, regardless of location within the country. Every individual, regardless of where they live, should receive the same standard of care. lack of integration.
With the support of digitalization, nurses today have the flexibility to work from home in certain roles, such as home care nursing. They can choose to work remotely two or three days a week, or even as communication nurses at healthcare stations. Digitalization proved its immense value during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling healthcare professionals to continue working effectively despite the challenges of distance.
However, not everyone is eager to adapt to the increasing digitalization in hospitals. Many of my colleagues, particularly those in their 50s, struggle with using computers in their daily tasks. For them, navigating digital tools is a significant challenge. In my view, this issue largely stems from insufficient training. If welfare counties invested more in staff training, particularly for those less familiar with technology, they would see substantial long-term benefits. Improved training would not only enhance the efficiency of current operations but also prepare the workforce for future advancements in healthcare technology.
Risks of open digital society
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a pickering necesary law in the European Union, which has established a regime for the protection of personal data of individuals. It officially came into effect on May 25, 2018. On the one hand, the GDPR protects the rights of individuals with respect to their personal data and helps them in taking greater control of their data. On the other hand, it places enormous responsibilities on the companies that seek, retain, and process such data. Fines for lack of compliance can be ruinous, thus making almost every business or institution to actively put in measures aimed at data protection.
It is an indisputable fact that in the present era of the Internet even the most basic of people who may not be very computer literates have heard of attacks on computer systems. The growing incidences of data leaks have rung bell on the extent to which one’s data is collected and given out. There is increased consciousness about privacy and security threats.
At my workplace, a severe penetration of the organization through phishing email search led to the employer blocking staff from accessing work emails from handhelds to bolster security. Daily, when we are performing any operation on an internet-enabled device, we become potential victims of threats such as fake news, manipulation, and even identity theft. These breaches can lead to from hundreds of thousands to millions in losses, as stolen personal information is trafficked on the dark net. Most troubling, however, remains the psychological damage that victims suffer and whom.
Working in a hospital setting, we handle a large volume of sensitive patient data daily, including information about vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or patients with dementia, who may not be able to manage the situation if a data breach occurs. This makes it crucial for healthcare professionals to adhere to nursing ethics and workplace safety codes to protect sensitive data and minimize risks. Data protection is not just a legal obligation under GDPR but a moral responsibility, especially when dealing with those who are less capable of safeguarding their own information.
Chat GPT is an (AI) artificial intelligence service that works online
I started using ChatGPT less than a year ago, and I actually used it in my work. I would ask for help with diagnoses. For example, I would provide information about a patient’s signs and symptoms, along with their gender and age, then ask GPT for a diagnosis. Surprisingly, it gave me good answers. In many cases, I also needed to calculate medication dosages. I would calculate them myself first, then double-check with GPT to ensure my answer was correct, and in most cases, I was satisfied with the results.
However, when I first started using GPT, I did encounter some issues that led to wrong answers. Eventually, I realized there were two factors I needed to manage. First, because I was using the free version, there were some limitations, especially when it came to accessing up-to-date information. In such cases, I would use Gemini instead. Second, I learned that the more precise the question, the more accurate the response. I’ve since practiced phrasing my questions more clearly and specifically. Now, I know how important it is to provide clear context whenever possible.
Self evaluation
I understand the intersection between healthcare and digitalization, particularly in the context of Finland. Whether people want to or not, they must recognize that digitalization is an integral part of our daily lives—it shapes how we communicate, find information, and interact with services. I have clarified my career path as a nurse, emphasizing the importance of equal access to high-quality and equitable care.
I also grasp the risks associated with a digital society and have a solid understanding of GDPR and its relevance to data protection in healthcare. My awareness of the potential harm from cyberattacks and data breaches, especially regarding vulnerable patients, highlights my commitment to ethical responsibilities in nursing.
Finally, I am gradually embracing artificial intelligence and applying it in my work with caution and care. Overall, I believe my perspective is thoughtful and balanced, as it integrates personal experiences with broader issues of digitalization in healthcare and data security.
I commented on:
Dear Chuong,
I found your blog article very interesting, especially when you were talking from your experience as a nurse! In Germany we sometimes have the same problems you described in the UK. As you mentioned, all the hospitals have their own system and own data storage, so no information whatsoever can leave the facility. That makes it super difficult when visiting another doctor or when having an accident. Even if you can be identified, the medics have no chance of finding out if you have any allergies or already take certain medicine. When I moved between cities, my old doctor had to send a fax (!) to my new one, so that they could have a look at my records.
On the other hand of course I get medical data might be one of the most valuable date and I would not want it floating around in the internet. But denying progress in the name of data protection can also cause the loss of numeruos lives, as you mentioned, so I really would like to see some countries putting more efforts into finding new solutions.
Hi! Thanks for the interesting post. It seems really crazy that even in Europe, patient data is stored on paper. I work in an accredited clinical laboratory and everything possible is stored in electronic systems. This gave me a good perspective on my work. Sometimes the patient data system is down, for example due to an update, when we use paper referral forms in patient work.
I also reflect on digitalization from the perspective of older people in my own blog. Patients can be placed in an unequal position depending on their digital skills. Face-to-face healthcare services should be maintained alongside digital services. You are right that healthcare workers need much more digital training. My own workplace is undergoing a huge reform of the patient data system. The system has already been implemented in many locations and almost no one has received proper training for it yet. Instead, before a new laboratory analysis device is introduced, the staff is trained in its use weeks in advance and again when the device is used daily. Patient information systems and other digital tools have an equally important impact on patient safety, so proper training is also needed for their use.
Hello Chuong,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I really liked your article. It is a total surprise for me that in London they still use an ‘old’ way of carrying all the papers around. It is so important to have all the information about patient in one place. For example, if some older person comes as an emergency patient and he/ she does not have a good memory or not able to tell everything about himself. Electronic system might be a life-saving tool! Nowadays, from my point of view, it very important to adapt to the new situation and reality. Currently, everyone tries to use computers more and more, create different platforms and tools to digitalize own working process.
However, it brings some difficulties to the elderly people, who are not so much familiar with computers and its real possibilities. Therefore, I think that companies should be ready to provide special trainings for people if necessary.
I wish you all the best for your career!
Hi, interesting article. I did not know that some nurses work remotely. While I agree many people over the age of 50 can have difficulties using the computer at work, I won’t put it down to a lack of training in many cases it is a mental block and a insecurity that must be overcome to enable learning to take place.
My mum has been a nurse for over 43 years and has trained nurses across the Caribbean. currently holds licences in the US and the UK but still finds it challenging to keep up with computer tasks. I am not saying she has a mental block :-), but one can imagine it is difficult keeping up with the major changes in digitalisation that have occurred over the last 40 years.
Thank you for your very interesting and thought-provoking blog post! It was especially fascinating to read your comparison of the healthcare systems in England and Finland. Your experience in London really highlighted the significant role digitalization can play in streamlining everyday tasks – it’s surprising to hear that patient records are still handled on paper in some places.
I myself am a career changer and currently work as a nurse in adolescent psychiatry. In our field, digitalization is evident in practices such as video consultations, the use of electronic materials, and the Apotti system. Patients and caregivers can communicate with professionals through the Maisa portal. These tools have greatly improved accessibility to care and collaboration, but they also require us professionals to adapt and engage with patients in new ways, including through digital means.
It was great that you also highlighted the risks of digital solutions, particularly concerning data security and privacy. The importance of GDPR is immense, and its requirements are part of our daily work in healthcare. Additionally, the use of AI, such as ChatGPT, brings about new ethical considerations. While AI can serve as a valuable support tool for information retrieval or brainstorming, it’s crucial to remember its limitations – particularly in healthcare, where only doctors can provide diagnoses, and we must be cautious about relying on it too much. The support AI provides can never replace human judgment and expertise.
Your blog prompted a lot of reflection and offered valuable perspectives on the benefits and challenges of digitalization in healthcare. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Hi Chuong,
Your article clearly demonstrates your experiences and ideas about digitalization in healthcare sector. Your examples about the UK and Finland shows the differences in how the information of patients is managed. you showed how digital tools like ChatGPT, and robotic medicine dispensers support you in the work.in your work which is very interesting for me. You also clearly highlighted digitalization risks including data privacy and security, I really appreciated how you related GDPR regulations to the actual work that nurses perform on a daily basis. It’s admirable that you think about patient safety, particularly for people who unable protect themselves.
I wish you the best!
It was so interesting to read that even London can be so backward about digitalization in healthcare. I guess the strain of doing things the old way is even more of a problem there than here. I think in Finland (or in every society for that matter) we have this problem too, but apparently not as much. The world is developing in an accelerating speed and for many that are older, it is developing too fast. As you pointed out nurses in their 50’s have a hard time learning to use tech as this is something that was not yet very present in their youth. And then there are people in their 60’s, still active in the labor force really having a hard time. I suspect these people are the ones holding up the London system for digitalization and still insisting on doing things the old way.
In Finland we had Nokia, which I think kind of set the tone for where the future of Finland is. We saw that tech is something we could be good at and as a small nation, could work to our advantage on global markets. I think this idea is what gave us the root ideology of adapting new tech as soon as possible and cement our position as one of the leading countries, if not in developing new tech, but at least in implementing it.
As for the cost structure, new tech could also help solve our health care crisis. Yes, it’s a crisis. Our demography is getting older with more and more people getting older and needing health care services. And at the same time we are getting short on cash, amounting layoffs of nurses and seeking creative ways to save money. Technology could come to help in this. It could give relief to nurses workload by, as the writer said, for example dispensing medicines. Also I can see some help coming in the form of a.i. which can maybe act as nurse giving easy information for patients relieving the human nurse for more important tasks.
Thank you very much your intersesting article. I loved read your nursing experienses. I am finnish 54 old nurce with very long nursing experience. When i was young just graduated nurse we have patients records on paper. Now we have electronic patient information system. I have live all that change in my work history. In your article you say that usually nurses in their 50s have difficulties use and adapt digitalisation systems. In our working place we elder nurses usually help younger nurses to adapt new digitalisation systems. Sometimes thus.
Thank you very muc your interesting article. I loved read your nursing experienses. I am finnish 54 old nurce with very long nursing experience. When I was young just graduated nurse we have patients records on paper. Now we have electronic patient information system. I have live al that change in my work history. In your article you say that usually nurses in their 50s have difficulties use and adapt digitalisation system. In our working place we elder nurses usually hepl younger nurses to adapt new digitalisation systems. Sometimes thus.
It was nice to learn how nurses’ work has changed with digitalization. You wrote well about how London hospitals differ from Finnish practices. I would have thought that in a big city like London, digitalization and the unification of programs would already be well advanced. It was a surprise that they still rely heavily on patient records. Perhaps the problem with large units is the high costs and the cumbersome nature of organizations and the slowness of the management culture? It can be difficult to push forward with reforms, especially when all units have their own information systems.
In your article, you raised an important issue about patient rights in Finland, that all patients should have equal access to high-quality care regardless of location. I definitely agree with this. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the possibility of nurses working remotely in home care. With digitalization, home care nurses can also care for patients further away if the situation is such that on-site care is not needed.
You also talked about the challenges that digitalization of healthcare brings. For employees over 50, using new systems can be challenging, which is why training is important. It also occurred to me that in home health care, there could be a problem if the patient is an elderly person who does not know how to use a computer. This can be a real challenge and we have to think carefully about when and to whom digital services can be offered.
Your post really highlights the contrast between healthcare systems and how much integration matters. The example from London was striking. I’ve seen similar challenges when systems don’t communicate, and it always ends up costing time and creating stress for both staff and patients.
I agree with you on training. In my experience, resistance to digital tools often comes from uncertainty rather than unwillingness. When people feel supported and confident, adoption becomes much smoother.
Your point about equal access is also important. Technology should never be limited by geography or budgets. I’ve also noticed how remote work options have changed nursing roles, especially after COVID-19. It’s a great example of how digitalisation can improve flexibility without compromising care.