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.