Sari Kujala

Aalto University · Department of Computer Science

Background: Previous research reports that patients with mental health conditions experience benefits, for example, increased empowerment and validation, from reading their patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs). In mental health care (MHC), PAEHRs remain controversial, as health care professionals are concerned that patients may fee...

BACKGROUND An online health check can be used to screen health behavior risks in the population, help health care professionals with standardized risk estimation for their patients, and motivate a patient to change unhealthy behaviors. The long-term unemployed comprise a particular subgroup with an increased risk of lifestyle-related diseases. OBJ...

UNSTRUCTURED The Nordic countries are forerunners in online record access (ORA) which has now become widespread. The importance of accessible and structured health data has also been highlighted by policymakers internationally. To ensure the full realization of ORA’spotential in the short and long term, there is a pressing need to study ORA from a...

Digitalization could provide efficient and cost-effective health and well-being services to the rapidly aging population. However, digital services do not always meet their needs. We investigated the experiences and service needs of older employees by collecting quantitative and qualitative data through a survey (n = 497). The results suggested a n...

BACKGROUND Previous research report that patients with mental health conditions report benefits, e.g. increased empowerment and validation, from reading their patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs). Still, in mental healthcare, PAEHRs remain controversial as healthcare professionals are concerned that patients feel worried or offende...

BACKGROUND Patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHR) hold promises in empowering patients, but their impact may vary between mental healthcare and somatic care. Medical professionals and ethicists have expressed concerns about the potential challenges of PAEHR on patients, especially those receiving mental healthcare. OBJECTIVE This stu...

Background Previous research reports that patients with mental health conditions experience benefits, for example, increased empowerment and validation, from reading their patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs). In mental health care (MHC), PAEHRs remain controversial, as health care professionals are concerned that patients may feel...

BACKGROUND While a large number of surveys have been conducted on patients accessing their own health records in recent years, there is a limited number of nationwide cross-country data available on patients’ views and preferences. To address this gap, an international survey of patient users was conducted in the Nordic eHealth project NORDeHEALTH....

Background Although many surveys have been conducted on patients accessing their own health records in recent years, there is a limited amount of nationwide cross-country data available on patients’ views and preferences. To address this gap, an international survey of patient users was conducted in the Nordic eHealth project, NORDeHEALTH. Objecti...

BACKGROUND Patient portals provide patients not only with access to electronic health records (EHRs), but also other functionalities, such as prescription renewals. Patient portals can improve patients’ self-management, engagement with health care professionals (HCPs), and care processes. These benefits, however, depend on patients’ willingness to...

Objectives: Patients’ experiences are increasingly gaining interest in multiple research fields. Researchers have applied various approaches to studying patient experience (PX); however, there is no commonly agreed-upon definition of PX. This scoping review focuses on PX from an eHealth perspective. Our aim was to: 1) describe how PX has been defin...

Background: Patient portals that provide access to electronic health records offer a means for patients to better understand and self-manage their health. Yet, patient access to electronic health records raises many concerns among physicians, and little is known about the use practices and experiences of patients who access their electronic health...

Background Web-based symptom checkers are promising tools that provide help to patients seeking guidance on health problems. Many health organizations have started using them to enhance triage. Patients use the symptom checker to report their symptoms online and submit the report to the health care center through the system. Health care professiona...

Background: In the abnormal circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, patient portals have supported patient empowerment and engagement by providing patients with access to their health care documents and medical information. However, the potential benefits of patient portals cannot be utilized unless the patients accept and use the services....

Background: In the abnormal circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, patient portals have supported patient empowerment and engagement by providing patients with access to their healthcare documents and medical information. However, the potential benefits of patient portals cannot be utilized unless the patients accept and use the services....

BACKGROUND In the abnormal circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, patient portals have supported patient empowerment and engagement by providing patients with access to their health care documents and medical information. However, the potential benefits of patient portals cannot be utilized unless the patients accept and use the services. D...

BACKGROUND Patient portals that provide access to electronic health records offer a means for patients to better understand and self-manage their health. Yet, patient access to electronic health records raises many concerns among physicians, and little is known about the use practices and experiences of patients who access their electronic health r...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has given an unprecedented boost to already increased digital health services, which can place many vulnerable groups at risk of digital exclusion. To improve the likelihood of achieving digital health equity, it is necessary to identify and address the elements that may prevent vulnerable groups from benefiting fro...

[Context and Motivation] Recent studies have highlighted transparency and explainability as important quality requirements of AI systems. However, there are still relatively few case studies that describe the current state of defining these quality requirements in practice. [Question] The goal of our study was to explore what ethical guidelines org...

Background Although the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly boosted the implementation of digital services worldwide, it has become increasingly important to understand how these solutions are integrated into professionals’ routine work. Professionals who are using the services are key influencers in the success of implementations. To ensure succes...

Online symptom checkers (SCs) are eHealth solutions that offer healthcare organizations the possibility to empower their patients to independently assess their symptoms. The successful implementation of eHealth solutions, such as SCs, requires a supportive organizational culture and leadership. However, there is limited knowledge about the factors...

BACKGROUND Web-based symptom checkers are promising tools that provide help to patients seeking guidance on health problems. Many health organizations have started using them to enhance triage. Patients use the symptom checker to report their symptoms online and submit the report to the health care center through the system. Health care professiona...

BACKGROUND Although the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly boosted the implementation of digital services worldwide, it has become increasingly important to understand how these solutions are integrated into professionals’ routine work. Professionals who are using the services are key influencers in the success of implementations. To ensure succes...

This article aims to support the design of remote user studies in the healthcare and well-being field. We introduce lessons learned from conducting remote interviews and using visual timelines as pretasks involving patients from two eHealth projects. Based on our experience, we conclude that remote interviews and visual timelines can provide rich d...

[Motivation] Artificial intelligence (AI) creates many opportunities for public institutions, but the unethical use of AI in public services can reduce citizens’ trust. [Question] The aim of this study was to identify what kind of requirements citizens have for trustworthy AI services in the public sector. The study included 21 interviews and a des...

BACKGROUND Healthcare personnel’s engagement in patient portal implementation is necessary in embedding the use of the portal in everyday practices of a healthcare organization. While portal implementation may raise personnel’s positive expectations of the benefits in patient care, it is often also stressful for them due to increased workloads and...

Background Health care personnel’s (HCP) engagement in patient portal implementation is necessary in embedding the use of the portal in everyday practices of a health care organization. While portal implementation may raise personnel’s positive expectations of the benefits in patient care, it is often also stressful for them due to increased worklo...

BACKGROUND Long-term illnesses and multimorbidity have become more common, thus reducing quality of life and increasing the demand for healthcare services. Lifestyle choices and socioeconomic status have a significant impact on the expected onset of diseases, age of death, and risk factors concerning long-term illnesses and morbidity. STAR is an on...

Background Lifestyle choices and socioeconomic status have a significant impact on the expected onset of diseases, age of death, and risk factors concerning long-term illnesses and morbidity. STAR is an online health examination tool, which gives users a report that includes an evaluation of their life expectancy and an estimated risk for developin...

BACKGROUND High expectations have been set for the implementations of health information systems (HIS) in health care. However, nurses have been dissatisfied after HIS implementations. Especially poorly functioning electronic health records (EHRs) have been found to induce stress and cognitive work load. Moreover, need to learn new systems may requ...

Background High expectations have been set for the implementations of health information systems (HIS) in health care. However, nurses have been dissatisfied after implementations of HIS. In particular, poorly functioning electronic health records (EHRs) have been found to induce stress and cognitive workload. Moreover, the need to learn new system...

Background: The popularity of web-based patient-professional communication over patient portals is constantly increasing. Good patient-professional communication is a prerequisite for high-quality care and patient centeredness. Understanding health care professionals’ experiences of web-based patient-professional communication is important as they...

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a fast-growing trend. Increasingly, organizations are interested in developing AI systems, but many of them have realized that the use of AI technologies can raise ethical questions. The goal of this study was to analyze what kind of ethical guidelines companies have for solving potential ethical issues of AI...

Background The number of public eHealth services that support patient self-management is rapidly increasing. However, the implementation of these eHealth services for self-management has encountered challenges. Objective The purpose of this paper was to analyze the challenges and opportunities of implementing eHealth services for self-management b...

BACKGROUND The popularity of online patient-professional communication over patient portals is constantly increasing. Good patient-professional communication is a prerequisite for high-quality care and patient-centeredness. Understanding healthcare professionals’ experiences of online patient-professional communication is important since they play...

Online symptom checkers and assessment services are used by patients seeking guidance on health problems. In this study, the goal was to identify health professionals' experiences of the benefits and challenges of new symptom checkers providing triage advice. Data was collected through an online survey of 61 health professionals who were target use...

BACKGROUND The number of public eHealth services that support patient self-management is rapidly increasing. However, the implementation of these eHealth services for self-management has encountered challenges. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper was to analyze the challenges and opportunities of implementing eHealth services for self-management b...

1. TIIVISTELMÄ Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon asiakkaille tarjottavat sähköiset asiointi- ja omahoitopalvelut ovat lisääntyneet nopeasti. Nämä palvelut edellyttävät asiakkailta entistä aktiivisempaa roolia oman terveytensä ja hyvinvointinsa hoidossa, mikä muuttaa myös ammattilaisten toimenkuvaa ja tehtäviä. Nopea muutos edellyttää sopeutumista sekä...

The training and competence of healthcare professionals are key factors in adopting new eHealth services. The scope of eHealth is broadening from information systems to eHealth services such as patient portals supporting self-management, which create a need for new competencies. In this study, we evaluated clinical leaders' eHealth competencies and...

Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) are an elementary part of the work of registered nurses (RNs) in healthcare. RNs are the largest group of healthcare workers, and their experiences with EHRs and their informatics competence play a crucial role in a fluent workflow. The present study examined EHR usability factors and nurses' informatic...

Background Effective leadership and change management are thought to contribute to the successful implementation of health information technology innovations. However, limited attention has been paid to the role of frontline leaders in building health professional support for new technical innovations. Objective First, we examined whether frontlin...

BACKGROUND Constantly changing and difficult to use information systems (IS) have arisen as one important source of stress in physicians’ work. Physicians report several usability problems, system failures, lack of integration between the systems and experience that systems poorly support the documentation and retrieval of patient data. This stress...

Background: Constantly changing and difficult-to-use information systems have arisen as a significant source of stress in physicians' work. Physicians have reported several usability problems, system failures, and a lack of integration between the systems and have experienced that systems poorly support the documentation and retrieval of patient d...

To promote eHealth services effectively, it is important to understand what motivates people to use these services and how they can be further supported. Our aim was to explore user experiences with eHealth services from the viewpoint of patients with chronic illnesses. The survey data included responses from 397 patients actively using eHealth ser...

From the point of view of the software framework owner, attracting new and supporting existing application developers is crucial for the long-term success of the framework. This mixed-methods study explores the factors that support developers in adopting and continuously using a framework. Data was collected from two sources: interviews with experi...

BACKGROUND Effective leadership and change management are thought to contribute to the successful implementation of health information technology innovations. However, limited attention has been paid to the role of frontline leaders in building health professional support for new technical innovations. OBJECTIVE First, we examined whether frontlin...

Objective: Patient portals have the potential to support patient empowerment, self-care, and management, but their adoption and use have reported to be limited. Patients' more active role creates tension, as health professionals need to change their traditional expert role and share control with patients. Professionals may also have other expectat...

Previous literature in person–product attachment has identified factors in long-term relationships responsible for the strengthening of bonds between users and products, stimulating longevity in use. Interested in further understanding the matter in the realm of fashion, this study investigates how relationships between individuals and the clothes...

Terveydenhuollon sähköisten palveluiden määrä on lisääntynyt merkittävästi. Potilaiden odotetaan osallistuvan aktiivisemmin hoitoonsa, mutta erityisesti kroonisesti sairaat käyttävät sähköisiä palveluita terveitä harvemmin. Kansainvälisten tutkimusten mukaan hoitohenkilökunnan motivointi ja tuki vaikuttavat merkittävästi potilaiden halukkuuteen ja...

ODA (Omat digiajan hyvinvointipalvelut) ja Virtuaalisairaala 2.0 -hankkeet kehittävät Suomeen uusia kansalaisille suunnattuja sähköisiä omahoitopalveluita. Sähköiset palvelut muuttavat terveysammattilaisten työtä ja aiheuttavat usein myös vastustusta. Uusien palveluiden onnistunut käyttöönotto niiden suunnittelusta ja kokeilusta vakiintuneeseen käy...

Background: Among the important stress factors for physicians nowadays are poorly functioning, time consuming and inadequate information systems. The present study examined the predictors of physicians' stress related to information systems (SRIS) among Finnish physicians. The examined predictors were cognitive workload, staffing problems, time pr...

In recent times, health care professionals (HCP) have come across a number of migrants as their patients. The cultural differences lead to communicational challenges between the migrant patients and health care professionals. Our project aimed to discover HCPs' attitudes, challenges and needs on cross-cultural communication, so that we can develop...

An increasing number of new eHealth services that support patients' self-management has changed health professionals' work and has created a need for a new eHealth competence. In this study, we evaluated the health professionals' eHealth competences and training needs in a public health organization in Finland. The target organization's goal was to...

Background Poorly functioning, time-consuming, and inadequate information systems are among the most important work-related psychosocial factors causing stress in physicians. The present study examined the trend in the perceived stress that was related to information systems (SRIS) among Finnish physicians during a nine-year follow-up. In addition,...

We develop and test a model that suggests that expectations influence subjective usability and emotional experiences and, thereby, behavioral intentions to continue use and to recommend the service to others. A longitudinal study of 165 real-life users examined the proposed model in a proximity mobile payment domain at three time points: before use...

Combining business and IT viewpoints in large development projects is a big challenge for many organizations in the outsourced environment. The goal of this paper is to describe process and good practices that can support a case-study organization in connecting business and IT development during the requirements definition. The results are based on...

Pre-use expectations are believed to influence user experience evaluations. The goal of this study is to understand the role of expectations and emotions in the evaluation of a product – a mobile phone – over a five-month period of use in a real-life setting. The results show that expected enjoyment has long-lasting effects on product evaluations a...

The purpose of this study was to understand how fashion-oriented females in two different countries evaluate three use-oriented product–service systems (PSS): clothing consultancy, renting and swapping. A mixed-method approach was utilized, including focus group interviews and a questionnaire. Both countries exhibited a higher level of interest in...

[Context and motivation] The increasingly complex business and development environment brings challenges to IT system development and requirements engineering (RE) activities. [Question/problem] The goal of the case study was to investigate what the challenges of a customer organization’s RE process are in the outsourced development environment and...

The aim of this research was to explore the role of Schwartz's ten universal human values in the context of using products and services. Seventy-five participants were asked to qualitatively describe a product or service especially well in line with their values and a product or service in conflict with their values, and to evaluate them on a numbe...

Positive user experience (UX) is an important goal in product design. Positive long-term UX is believed to improve customer loyalty, therefore being vital for continuous commercial success. Most UX research investigates momentary or short-term UX although the relationship between the user and the product evolves over time. There is a need to develo...

Multi-component products employ multiple devices and services to support users' tasks. In order to design for good user experience (UX) for such products, designers need to gain feedback on how the different components contribute to the overall UX. In this study, we evaluated the long-term UX of a multi-component product from the sports domain over...

Visual attractiveness is increasingly seen as an essential factor in perceived usability, interaction, and overall appraisal of user interfaces. Visual elements in technological products are capable of evoking emotions and affective responses in users. In this paper, we focus on the role of visual usability and visual aesthetics in an experimental...

Due to the complex nature of multi-component products, methods for their user experience (UX) evaluation are critical. In this study, we evaluated the long-term UX of a multi-component product from the sports domain. We present a comparison of two remote UX evaluation methods: a weekly filled-in electronic diary and the UX Curve method for retrospe...

Positive emotional experiences with an interactive product are assumed to lead to good user experience and, ultimately, to product success. However, the path from emotional experiences to product evaluation may not be direct, as emotions fluctuate over time, and some experiences are easier to recall than others. In this study, we examined emotions...

The long-term and dynamic nature of user experience (UX) is challenging both UX design and evaluation activities. Although the CHI community acknowledges the importance of a temporal perspective on UX, we are still lacking an understanding of time and the meaning of temporal aspects in UX. In order to close this gap, we organized a workshop at Nord...

Projective techniques are used in psychology and consumer research to provide information about individuals' motivations, thoughts and feelings. This paper reviews the use of projective techniques in marketing research and user experience (UX) research and discusses their potential role in understanding users, their needs and values, and evaluating...

The long-term and dynamic nature of user experience (UX) is challenging both UX design and evaluation activities. Although the CHI community acknowledges the importance of a temporal perspective on UX, we are still lacking an understanding of time and the meaning of temporal aspects in UX. In order to close this gap, we organized a workshop at Nord...

Symbolic meaning refers to the image and associations that spring to mind in regard to a product. Products can act as symbols for humans, providing personal meaning and communicating the owner's personal characteristics to others. The meanings that we attach to products play an essential role in how we feel about them and evaluate them. In this pap...