The first production version of the Omaolo service was released on 6 February 2019. Mediconsult Oy and Solita Oy are acting in co-operation for the implementation of the service.
The operational model in Finnish social and health services is being renewed: current practices, in which one queues, reserves an appointment, and then visits the reception, are being revolutionised. By means of Digital Omaolo’s symptom and service assessment, residents can evaluate their treatment requirements reliably and quickly. The service brings a new electronic method to handle matters – independent of time and place – up to the level of existing social and public health care service channels.
Each resident gets just the right sort of guidance for his/her own situation with regard to the services provided by either the municipality or hospital district, depending on which one s/he chooses. Suitable third-sector services are also offered comprehensively for the resident’s life circumstances.
Assessment of treatment requirements – reliably and quickly
Functioning online, the Omaolo service contains questions connected with symptoms which, on the basis of the answers, can, for example, suggest that the resident turn to emergency services or electronic contact, or book an appointment from a professional working in social and health care services. In addition, the service can provide treatment instructions for implementation at home on the basis of the answers given. All information provided can be stored for later personal use.
The symptom assessment questionnaires are based on the medical database of the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim: i.e. the most recent researched data and Current Care Guidelines. The assessments are based on legislation and jointly agreed criteria. The service promotes even quality in the evaluation of treatment- and service-related needs and increases regional equality.
Omaolo’s first production version contains primary health care-based symptom assessments for lower back pain and injuries as well as for urinary and respiratory infections. The social welfare service assessment on its part contains assessments of personal assistance as well as for mobility outside the home and informal care.
New content being planned
The service content will expand significantly in 2019. Preliminary forms will also be included in Omaolo for child health centre services as well as school, student and occupational health care.
During Omaolo’s first phase, Helsinki, Espoo, Turku, Tampere, Oulu, Siun Sote (Social and Health Care Federation of the Municipalities of North Karelia), Hämeenlinna, Kuopio, Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care, Porvoo, Sodankylä, South Karelia Social and Health Care District, and the Hospital Districts of Central and Southwest Finland are all involved. During the first phase, the service is available only in Finnish.
More information:
Krista Särkkä, Business Program Manager, Mediconsult Oy, tel. +358 40 7720059, krista.sarkka@mediconsult.fi
Vesa Sainio, Director of Operations, Solita Health, tel. +358 40 5062268, vesa.sainio@solita.fi
Omaolo.fi
Omaolo is a new, electronic public sector-based social/health Service in Finland, whose aim is to offer a direct 24/7 channel to assess your own life situation as well as arrange electronic contact and communications with health and social services in your own region. SoteDigi Oy, a development company, is responsible for the development and distribution of this service. Mediconsult Oy and Solita Oy are responsible for its technical implementation.
