DIGI CITIZEN

Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA)

The Social Insurance Institution in Finland (KELA) provides social security services for Finnish residents including Finnish citizens living abroad. Kela also covers social security for people who live in Finland on a permanent basis and work in Finland. From Kela’s system the companies / employers get compensation for costs arising from employee sick leaves, maternity and paternity leaves and occupational health care. In my mind Kela, nevertheless of the possible renewals needed in the future, builds the foundation of the welfarestate.

I have used Kela’s services during my life time several times. During both pregnancies Kela enables me to stay home with the child for a longer period of time. I also subscribed for the world famous ‘ äitiyspakkaus’ ie. the maternity package that included necessary basic childcare products. During a lay-off period I used used Kela’s services as well.

In health care arena I use Kela’s services a lot. I was sick with cancer in 2016/2017 and ever since that the medical health care and its’ monetary deductions have become familiar to me. And I know to appreciate the Finnish system very much. I feel privileged compared to for example people in the United States where people have to raise privately money to get cancer treatments.

I applied for the European health care card (and so will the rest of my family do) – don’t know why not done earlier!

Omakanta

I use Omakanta a lot since all the digi prescriptions and medical appointments are found in Omakanta. It is easy to follow which prescriptions are about to be expired and take renewals up in doctor appointments.

During and straight after the pandemic Omakanta was used by me also for the purpose to download the Covid certificate.

KEVA

When doing this assignment the calculators on Keva’s sites were out of order. I doubt that Keva’s calculations would anyhow bring much of information on my pension rate – I have another insurance company and I can see my pension rate on their site via their calculator. I do not want to disclose this information to external world.

Digital Shops, online shopping

I am using online travel service providers on a frequent basis. My family is very cost conscious and it is easy to compare rates and service levels in sites like booking.com, trivago.fi and momondo.fi. Doing comparisons between these platform has shown that not only price can be the differencing factor. There can be differences in flight schedules and terms like cancellation terms. Adding any services can easily raise the offered rates significantly. Comparing between the platforms makes sense. It just requires a lot of patience and therefore I typically outsource this activity to my hubbie :). I consider these site trustful yes, but the one thing I always struggle a bit is, if I have considered all the values so that I do get what I think I am ordering.

I choose sportamore to explain why I have chosen to use this platform over competitors like Zalando: Sportamore is focusing on sporting wear and the user interface is convenient. It is easy to do preferred selections and the on sale items are quite of quality. Also Sportamore’s delivery terms are convenient and delivery time is short. Also this site looks very trustful and since I visited it for the first time upon a friends recommendation, I never felt insecure. I actually often ask for recommendations and check with my peers if someone has used a certain web service.

Digital Gap – what can be missed

In today’s digitalized world and society it can be very hard and even costly for an individual not having the access to digital services.

Time and correctness: log into a web site to order a food home delivery compared to writing a list of groceries for your neighbour who then interprets your wish list and bring along what he interpret is correct and if a shelf is empty he possible picks up a replacement you never eat.

Convenience and correctness: order pizza on-line compared calling the pizzeria explaining your desired pizza and maybe getting mushrooms into your pizza even though said you hate them.

Accessibility and cost: order an e-invoice compared to a paper copy that typically are not free of charge.

Speed and time: use digital platforms for applications compared to getting a paper copy and filling it out, sending it in snail mail and receiving confirmation on your application being processes/approved.

Options and speed: seeing in one glance a selection of different products/services compared to visiting physical stores to get anything close to that. Not to mention the challenge of doing comparisons.

My Profile

I commented these articles from my fellow students:

DIGI CITIZEN – Digital Satu (savonia.fi)

DIGI CITIZEN – Sebastian (wordpress.com)

DIGI CITIZEN – Minna´s blog – Digitalised Working Environment (savonia.fi)

Self Reflection

I have always considered myself as an average digi consumer. The Digital Competence Report reflected that well. Yet I am giving a bit mercy to me: I work in an highly digitalized environment with experts in basically any digitalization area, AI, robotics, machine learning, big data, analytics etc. I seldom get a wow-effect of my own competencies in business hours. It may yet be that I rated my self rather modest due to the very same reason.

Best take aways I got from my fellow students blogs. I actually read some 20 of them even if commenting was requested for 3 only. It was interesting to read peoples ideas and thoughts who work in totally different industries than I do. I also liked reading the human aspects in the fast evolving digi world.

I have earlier too enjoyed watching TED talks on different subjects. The TED talks that were selected for this course were great eye openers and I cannot again prevent this thought coming to my mind: I am so under educated in this arena! This boosted my motivation to find out a little bit more even acknowledging that the new generations will do a far more efficient job here.