The use of digital tools by general practitioners in Finnish public health centres

Authors

• Kaisa Kujansivu Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University; Pihlajalinna Public eHealth Services
• Elina Tolvanen Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere; Pirkkala Health Care Centre, Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County, Pirkkala
• Mervi Kautto Pihlajalinna Oy, Tampere
• Tuomas H. Koskela Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University; Centre of General Practice, Tampere University Hospital

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.122703

Keywords:

eHealth, primary care, implementation, remote consultation, digitalisation, digital tools

Abstract

Electronic health services (eHealth) have increased rapidly in the last few years. These services hold the potential to facilitate today’s challenging primary care. The aim of the study was to examine how digitalisation manifests in Finnish health centres in 2021. We aimed to find out which digital tools are used in health centres and how they are exploited. In addition, we were interested in general practitioners’ attitudes towards digitalisation in their everyday work. An online survey was distributed to general practitioners (GPs) working in primary health care centres throughout Finland, and 265 GPs replied. A health portal and various digital calculators were used daily. In remote communication with their patients, general practitioners preferred telephone calls over new tools (chat/video). Attitudes towards eHealth were positive, but digital tools were not yet commonly used. The implementation of digital solutions still needs more effort.