Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences

Palveluohjauksella on merkittävä asema muuttuvassa sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon palvelujärjestelmässä (myöh. sote-palvelut), joka on pitkälti määrittynyt paikallisesti ja tilallisesti uudelleen hyvinvointialueiden aloitettua toimintansa vuonna 2023. Tutkimukset osoittavat, että ikääntyneiden palvelupolut ovat vaihtelevia ja alueellisesti palvelujärjestelmien käytännöt eivät ole yhdenmukaisia (ks. mm. Sinkkonen & Vasara, 2025; Sinkkonen ym., 2026). Ikääntyneiden ja heidän läheistensä voi olla vaikeaa hahmottaa sitä, millaista apua ja tukea on saatavilla sekä miltä tahoilta palveluita voi saada. Nämä vaikeudet ovat näkyneet myös julkisuudessa, esimerkiksi keskusteluissa päivystysjonoista. Tämä lisää entisestään painetta kehittää ikääntyneiden palvelutarpeen arviointia ja palveluja sekä palveluohjausta siten, että jokaiselle voidaan turvata tarkoituksenmukaista tukea ja hoivaa. Tämä ikääntyneiden palveluohjausta tutkiva hanke (myöh. IPO-hanke) sijoittuu sosiaalipoliittisesti merkittävään muutosvaiheeseen. Tutkimus tuottaa uutta tietoa sote-palvelujen ja sosiaalityön työmenetelmistä, niiden vaikutuksista ja asiakasturvallisista palvelukokonaisuuksista, joita voidaan hyödyntää asiakas- ja kehitystyössä sekä päätöksenteossa.

BackgroundVarious special diets have become increasingly common. However, their prevalence and significance in patients with celiac disease (CeD) who already adhere to a gluten-free diet (GFD) are unclear.AimWe studied the abovementioned aspects in youth with CeD and controls.Methods210 patients and 212 controls, all adolescents and young adults with comparable age 16-30 years, completed an anonymous survey. Variables were compared between CeD patients with and without additional dietary restriction.ResultsOverall, 53% of CeD patients and 81% of controls were students and 41% vs. 18% working. One-third of patients and controls reported adhering to special diets, particularly a vegetarian/vegan diet (9%/14%), an allergy diet (8%/7%), and a diet for irritable bowel syndrome (7%/8%). Patients with and without an additional diet besides a GFD were comparable in terms of sex, current age, age at diagnosis, body mass index, student/employment status, physical activity, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco. However, those following only a GFD reported fewer gastrointestinal symptoms at diagnosis (58% vs. 75%, p = 0.021) and fewer challenges with school and workplace meals (27% vs. 39%, p = 0.020) than those with another restrictive diet. Altogether 11% reported difficulties combining GFD and other diet, but there were no differences in adherence (91% vs. 93%, p = 0.705), persistent symptoms, health concerns, or well-being.ConclusionOne-third of CeD patients followed additional special diets, similar to the controls. While additional restrictions may not necessarily compromise well-being or treatment success, including GFD adherence and symptom resolution, they posed challenges that underline the need to consider them in CeD management.

The digital transformation of health is progressing rapidly worldwide, and citizens’ digital health literacy needs to keep pace with technological advancements. To guide future research and interventions, this study aimed to identify which digital health literacy competencies are expected to show the greatest increase in importance for citizens over the next 10 years. In this study, Finnish experts in digital health (n = 29) employed a three-round Delphi method to identify which competencies required to promote and maintain good health and wellbeing through digital technology are expected to show the greatest increase in importance over the next 10 years. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The experts identified 20 competencies expected to show the greatest increase in importance. The top four included the ability to adapt to and embrace technological advances and new practices, use electronic identification, evaluate the reliability of digital information and sources, and share and manage personal information safely across various online platforms. Based on the findings, the digital health literacy competency requirements for citizens are likely to expand over the next 10 years. Citizens will increasingly be required to adapt to technological advances, use electronic identification, evaluate and apply digital health information, protect personal privacy, and interpret and act on personal health data. They will also be required to navigate and access digital healthcare services, communicate effectively in real time digital interactions, manage healthcare appointments and digital documents, interact appropriately with AI tools, and maintain healthy digital habits. These findings should be taken into account when developing digital health literacy models, interventions, policies, and assessment tools.

This paper introduces a lightweight, low-cost framework for CAD-based contour inspection designed for singleboard computers and intended for integration into a modernized MES for an existing FMS cell. The framework converts DXF files into usable contour representations, performs ICP-based contour comparison, and provides both a desktop GUI and a REST-based API for flexible access. The results show that CAD-referenced contour inspection can be effectively implemented on low-cost hardware, enabling accessible and modular solutions for SMEs and legacy manufacturing systems. The approach provides a practical possibility for upgrading existing FMS cells with modern MES capabilities and automated visual quality inspection.