Publications
Scientific journal:
Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare (FinJeHeW), https://www.finjehew.fi
FinJeHeW is a scientific journal published jointly by the Finnish Society for Telemedicine and eHealth and the Finnish Association for Social and Health Care Informatics since 2009. The journal belongs to publication platform category 1. The ISSN of the journal is 1798-0798.
FinJeHeW welcomes scientific articles and other material related to information technology in social and healthcare services, telemedicine, and eHealth. Author guidelines are available on the journal’s website. The journal is published mainly in Finnish, but it also includes articles, abstracts, and other material in English. Manuscripts are evaluated using a double-referee peer review process. The journal publishes at least four issues per year as an online publication in PDF format. Each issue is freely available online. www.finjehew.fi.
Osastonhoitajien kokemukset saamastaan tiedosta ja tuesta sekä toiminnan muutoksen johtamisesta Terveyskylän digihoitopolun käyttöönotossa: laadullinen tutkimus fi
Head nurses' experiences of the information and support they received and needed to lead operational change in the implementation of Health Village’s digital care pathways en
Tiivistelmä
Digitalisaatio mahdollistaa terveydenhuollon uudistumisen. Digitaalisten palveluiden käyttöönotossa tarvitaan muutoksia organisaation sisäisiin rakenteisiin ja työprosesseihin. Johtajilla on merkittävä rooli digitaalisen palveluiden käyttöönoton tukemisessa ja uusien toimintamallien juurruttamisessa osaksi arkea. Digitalisaatio muuttaa myös johtajuutta ja johtajien käyttäytymistä. Johtajat tarvitsevat digitalisaation hyödyntämiseen liittyvää osaamista. Lisäksi he tarvitsevat tukea ja koulutusta sähköisten palveluiden käyttöönottoon.
Tämän laadullisen tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli kuvailla osastonhoitajien kokemuksia saamastaan tiedosta ja tuesta toiminnan muutoksen johtamisessa sekä toiminnan muutoksen johtamiseen vaikuttaneista tekijöistä Terveyskylän digihoitopolun käyttöönoton yhteydessä. Digihoitopolku on verkkopalvelu, jolla voidaan korvata tai täydentää perinteisiä terveydenhuollon käyntejä. Tutkimusaineisto kerättiin teemahaastattelulla yhden yliopistosairaalan osastonhoitajilta (n=6). Aineisto analysoitiin sisällönanalyysillä.
Osastonhoitajat kokivat saaneensa verkostoiltaan tukea, tietoa digihoitopolun käyttöönotosta ja toiminnan muutoksesta sekä konkreettista tukea kehittämiseen. Toisaalta saadussa tiedossa ja tuessa koettiin olleen puutteita ja haasteita kehittämisprosessin aikana. Käyttöönottoon liittyvää toiminnan muutoksen johtamista edistivät resursoinnin ja rahoituksen toteutuminen, positiivinen asenne kehittämiseen ja osaamisen kartuttaminen, tavoitteellisuus kehittämisprosessissa, osallistaminen ja yhteiskehittäminen sekä verkostoilta saatu tuki ja sähköisten palveluiden aktiivinen käyttöönotto. Muutoksen johtamista haastoivat resursointi ja aikataulut, muutosvastarinta, toiminnan muutokset, puutteet tuessa ja digiosaamisessa sekä tietojärjestelmän tekniikka.
Osastonhoitajat saavat tietoa ja tukea toiminnan muutoksen johtamiseen, mutta tiedon tulee olla esimiehille suunnattua. Ylemmän johdon tukea tarvitaan etenkin tavoitteiden asetteluun ja digihoitopolun hyötyjen konkretisoimiseen. Digihoitopolun käyttöönotossa onnistuneeseen toiminnan muutokseen vaaditaan riittävät aika- ja henkilöresurssit.
Tutkimuksella saatua tietoa voidaan hyödyntää digihoitopolkujen sekä muiden sähköisten palveluiden kehittämisessä, käyttöönotoissa ja toiminnan muutoksen johtamisessa sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollossa sekä esimiehille tarkoitettujen koulutusten suunnittelussa.
Abstract (English)
Digitalisation enables the reform of healthcare. The implementation of digital services requires changes in the internal structures and work processes within the organisation. Leaders have a key role in supporting the implementation of digital services and in making new operational models part of everyday practice. Digitalisation also changes leadership and the behaviour of leaders. Leaders need competence related to the utilisation of digitalisation. In addition, they need support and education on the implementation of digital services.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe head nurses’ experiences of the information and support they have received on leading operational change and the factors affecting the management of operational change in connection with the implementation of Health Village’s digital care pathways. Digital care pathways are a web-based service that can be used to replace or complement traditional healthcare visits. The data were gathered through a thematic interview with the head nurses of one university hospital (n = 6). The data were analysed using content analysis.
The head nurses felt they had received support and information from their networks about the implementation of the digital care pathway and operational change as well as concrete support for development. On the other hand, there were perceived shortcomings and challenges in the knowledge and support received during the development process. Management of the operational change was promoted by realisation of resourcing and funding, a positive attitude towards development and knowledge accrual, a goal-oriented development process, inclusion and co-development, as well as support received from networks and active deployment of digital services. Factors that challenged the management of the operational change included resourcing and scheduling, resistance to change, operational change, shortcomings in support and digital competence, and technical issues of the information system.
Head nurses receive knowledge and support to manage the operational change, but the information should be directed at supervisors. Higher management support is needed, especially for setting goals and concretising the benefits of the digital care pathway. For successful operational change, the implementation of the digital care pathways requires sufficient time and human resources.
The information obtained in the study can be utilised in the development and implementation of digital care pathways and other e-services and in leading the operational change in social and health care, and in planning education and training aimed at superiors.
Avainsanat
Kanoninen lähde ja PDF: journal.fi. Tätä artikkelia ei ole kopioitu tälle palvelimelle.
Lisenssi: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The society's 30-year history (available only in Finnish)
30 VUOTTA KEHITYKSEN KÄRJESSÄ – Suomen telelääketieteen ja e-Health seura 1995-2025, 2025,
ISBN 978-952-65791-1-5 (PDF)
The Society’s 30-Year History
30 Years at the Forefront – The Finnish Society of Telemedicine and eHealth 1995-2025, 2025.
ISBN: 978-952-65791-5-3 (pdf)
Podcasts
eHealth & Telemedicine Today – by STeHS
What’s happening in digital healthcare right now? In this podcast, STeHS brings you conversations on telemedicine, eHealth, and the evolving healthcare landscape—featuring voices from Finland and beyond.
Innovaatiot ja yrittäjyys suomalaisessa eHealthissa
This episode was recorded live at the eHealth2025 Conference, part of the 30th anniversary of the Finnish Society of Telemedicine and eHealth (STeHS). Hosts of this podcast are Titta Venho and Anna Saranlinna.In this discussion, Kalevi Virta, CEO of eWell Oy, and Arto Holopainen, Innovation Director at the City of Kuopio, share their perspectives on the development of the Finnish eHealth ecosystem, with a particular focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.The conversation explores how digital health has evolved in Finland over the past decades, highlighting key milestones such as mobile technologies, national digital health services, and international collaboration. The speakers reflect on the opportunities and challenges faced by startups and innovators in the health technology sector, including funding, regulation, and access to real-world testing environments.The episode also discusses the role of cities, ecosystems, and collaborative networks in supporting innovation, as well as the importance of early user engagement and cross-sector partnerships. Looking ahead, the discussion touches on future trends such as artificial intelligence, data-driven services, and the increasing demand for sustainable and scalable digital health solutions.Finally, the guests share practical advice for entrepreneurs and emphasize the need for stronger strategic leadership, long-term investment, and continued cooperation between public and private sectors to drive meaningful impact in healthcare.Note: This episode is in Finnish.Full transcript is available in https://www.telemedicine.fi/julkaisut/
Vaikuttavuus digitaalisissa terveyspalveluissa
This episode was recorded live at the eHealth2025 Conference, part of the 30th anniversary of the Finnish Society of Telemedicine and eHealth (STeHS). Hosts of this podcast are Titta Venho and Anna Saranlinna.In this discussion, Mika Perttu, Director of Digital Transformation at the City of Helsinki’s Social, Health and Rescue Division, and Minna Saranpää, Customer Manager and Social and Healthcare Specialist at Vivago Oy, explore the topic of impact and effectiveness in digital health and care services.As digitalisation continues to reshape how healthcare services are delivered, used, and evaluated, the conversation focuses on how to ensure that digital solutions truly create value for patients, professionals, and society. The speakers discuss how effectiveness can be defined, measured, and integrated into service development and decision-making.The episode highlights practical examples from both public and private sectors, addressing challenges such as fragmented systems, limited resources, and the need for better data-driven leadership. It also explores the future role of digital tools, including artificial intelligence and remote care, in improving outcomes and enabling more proactive and personalised healthcare services.Note: This episode is in Finnish.Full transcript is available: https://www.telemedicine.fi/julkaisut/
Women around the world in health care digitalisation
This episode was recorded live at the eHealth2025 Conference, part of the 30th anniversary of the Finnish Society of Telemedicine and eHealth (STeHS). Hosts of this podcast are Titta Venho and Anna Saranlinna.In this discussion, Dr Michelle Griffith, President of ISfTeH, a physician specializing in internal, lifestyle, and integrative medicine with over 30 years of clinical experience, and Professor Pirkko Kouri, Vice President of ISfTeH and a Finnish expert in health informatics and digital health education, explore the theme Women Around the World in Healthcare Digitalisation.Together, they reflect on how gender shapes the development, leadership, and use of digital health services across different cultural and global contexts. The conversation highlights both the challenges women face in technology-driven environments and the critical role they play in designing more inclusive, holistic healthcare solutions.The episode also offers insights into international collaboration, leadership experiences, and practical advice for women aiming to make an impact in the rapidly evolving field of telemedicine and eHealth.Full transcript will be available in: https://www.telemedicine.fi/julkaisut/
Jaksot päivittyvät tälle sivulle automaattisesti. Kaikki jaksot myös Spotifyssa.
Conference publications:
- XXXI Kansallinen ja kansainvälinen Telelääketieteen ja eHealth konferenssi, #eHealth2026: Effective digital solutions in health care and social welfare services, 2026, ISBN 978-952-65791-4-6 (PDF)
- XXX Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari, #eHealth2025: Strengthening Interoperability and Equality in Digital Health with Nordic Innovations, 2025, ISBN 978-952-65791-3-9 (PDF)
- XXIX National Seminar on Telemedicine and eHealth, #eHealth2024: From Research to Impact on Digital Health and Welfare Services, 2024, ISBN 978-952-69224-9-2 (PDF)
- XXVIII National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, #eHealth2023: Human oriented approach in eHealth and digital services, 2023, ISBN 978-952-69224-8-5 (pdf)
- XXVII National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, #eHealth2022: Digital Health – from Research to Applied Solutions, 2022, ISBN 978-952-69224-6-1 (PDF)
- XXVI National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, #eHealth2021: eHealth in a Lifecycle, 2021, ISBN: 978-952-69224-4-7 (pdf)
- XXV National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, eHealth2020: From Dream to Reality, 2020, ISBN: 978-952-69224-2-3 (pdf)
- XXIV National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, eHealth2019: Data-Driven Health, 2019, ISBN: 978-952-68112-9-1 (pdf)
- XXII National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, eHealth2018: Health communities facing cyber transformation, 2018, ISBN: 978-952-68112-8-4 (pdf)
- XXII National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, Win-Win-Win, for citizens, professionals and society, 2017, ISBN: 978-952-68112-6-0 (pdf)
- XXI National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, Nordic eHealth2016 Culture of experimentation and digitalisation, 2016, ISBN: 978-952-68112-4-6 (pdf)
- XX National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, eHealth, an engine for change, 2015, ISBN: 978-952-68112-2-2 (pdf)
- XIX National Telemedicine and eHealth Seminar, Towards effective eHealth, 2014, ISBN: 978-952-67213-9-2 (pdf)
- XVIII Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari: Teknologiatalkoilla parempiin hoitotuloksiin, 2013, ISBN: 978-952-67213-8-5 (pdf)
- XVII Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari: Tietoa tarpeeseen, 2012, ISBN: 978-952-67213-6-1 (pdf)
- XVI Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari: Maalta maailmalle – Aluemalli terveyspalveluiden kehittämisessä, 2011, ISBN: 978-952-67213-4-7 (pdf)
- XV Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari: Katse yli rajojen, 2010, ISBN: 978-952-67213-2-3 (pdf)
- XIV Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari: Terveyttä verkosta ja verkostosta, 2009, ISBN: 978-952-67213-0-9 (pdf)
- XIII Kansallinen telelääketieteen ja eHealth seminaari: e-Health kansalaisen palveluksessa, 2008 (pdf)