Use of Omaolo’s Digital Symptom Assessments Doubled Last Year  

Omaolo symptom assessments were completed 439 times during February last year, whereas in December, the number had increased already to 1,063. More than 7,600 symptom assessments were completed over the course of the year.

Finnish-speakers have discovered the service more actively than other language groups, even though it is also available in Swedish and English. 

– 77% of users are Finnish-speaking, with the highest number of users in Vaasa and Jakobstad. People living in rural areas are not yet making much use of Omaolo, even though the service would be just as beneficial for them, if not more so, as distances to health centres can be long, says public health nurse Jessica Småfisk. 

Last year, one in four users who completed a symptom assessment received self-care instructions prepared by healthcare professionals via the service. One in ten users sent their symptom assessment to a professional through Omaolo and received help with their situation. 

Quick and Easy Way to Get Help and Advice 

Two new symptom assessments were added to the Omaolo service in January: tick bites and men’s urinary and genital symptoms. A total of 16 symptom assessments are now available throughout Ostrobothnia. Moreover, residents of Vaasa, Jakobstad, Pedersöre, Larsmo, and Nykarleby can complete a symptom assessment for suspected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 

– The most popular symptom assessments are sore throat or throat symptoms, respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections. Suspected STDs are the fourth most used, says Småfisk. 

Omaolo symptom assessments: 

• Lower back pain or injury 
• Urinary tract infection 
• Men’s urinary or genital symptoms 
• Diarrhoea 
• Painful or blocked ear 
• Heartburn 
• Shoulder pain, stiffness or injury 
• Anal region symptom 
• Knee symptom or injury 
• Headache 
• Discharge from the eye, watery or reddish eye 
• Cough 
• Sore throat or throat symptom 
• Respiratory tract infection 
• Tick bite 
• Sexually transmitted disease (Vaasa, Jakobstad, Pedersöre, Larsmo, Nykarleby) 

Småfisk encourages everyone to try using Omaolo, as it is a quick and easy way to get help. The service can be accessed directly at omaolo.fi, but a link is also available on the wellbeing services county’s website under ”E-Services”. The service is available 24/7. 

When you complete a symptom assessment, you will receive either self-care instructions or guidance on how to seek treatment based on your responses.  

– If your symptoms require treatment, you can send your completed symptom assessment to a nurse via Omaolo. The assessments are reviewed in the evenings and on weekends as well, and you can choose whether you want to receive a notification about the nurse’s response via text message or email, explains Småfisk.  

Healthcare professionals process incoming symptom assessments based on their level of urgency. When submitting a symptom assessment, you will receive an estimate of when to expect a response. 

Omaolo also offers health coaching programmes e.g. on physical activity and reducing alcohol consumption. Users can also complete a digital health check form in Omaolo. 

Omaolo is a CE-marked medical device.