SoteDataLab is a research project funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (7/2024-6/2026) and implemented by THL, Aalto University and the University of Turku. In particular, the project examined the use, users and impact of digital services and artificial intelligence solutions in social and health services. The GAINS project continues and expands the research carried out during the SoteDataLab project.

The main output of the project was extensive with the Ostrobothnia Welfare Region
a randomised controlled trial of the effects of medical chat reception. According to preliminary results, the digital clinic improved access to primary public health care, reduced calls, consultations and assessments of the need for care, but did not significantly reduce attendance. Chat receptions increased all contacts by about 2.4 per cent. Care and management staff anticipate a higher replacement effect for attendance. In the observation data, the users of the digital clinic differed sociodemographically from the customers of traditional channels, and the conversations were shortened as the professional's experience gained. The service was introduced alongside other channels, and patients were not specifically directed away from them.

The project also built a quarterly updated register-based data infrastructure that combines data from THL, Kela and Statistics Finland in the Fiona remote access environment. This will be used in the GAINS and E-DigiHealth projects funded by the Academy of Finland, as well as in the THL and Kela research on the freedom of choice experiment for people aged 65 or over.

Authors: Tapio Haaga, Alex Kivimäki, What is Kortelainen,Oskari Nokso-Koivisto, Tanja Saxell, Lauri Sääksvuori, Vivi Mauno, SoteDataLab research group (Laura Jernström, Kaisa Kujansivu, Annu Laurikka, Aurora Morén, Viet Nguyen, Meeri Seppä, Martinos Therapontos, Lotta Virtanen)