The research group provides cross-disciplinary peer-reviewed research data for the development and application of smart, predictive and scalable digital solutions that promote well-being, health and safety in an ethically sustainable and human-oriented way.
Research information is used to develop new expertise and innovations in partnerships with companies, the public sector, other social actors and research institutes. Key research perspectives include knowledge of data and technology, data-driven management, ethical sustainability, innovation value chains, development of digital services and digital encounters, client and patient safety, and anticipation and preparedness.
Members of the research group
Soile Komssi
Chief Specialist, Research group leader. Hospital physicist, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Special expertise in medical imaging and technology, neurophysiology, radiation and equipment safety, digital service development, as well as information systems, processes, management and regulation in healthcare.
Jenni Hämäläinen
Lecturer in primary care, Doctor of Health Sciences (TtT), registered nurse (RN). Special expertise in acute nursing, pain nursing and research method expertise. Belongs to the team responsible for the teaching and guidance of international programs. Belongs to the national expert working group of the Nursing Research Foundation (HOTUS).
Annamaija Id-Korhonen
Lecturer in social and health care, physiotherapist and project manager (M.Sc. Health). Special expertise in rehabilitation of the elderly, health promotion, strengthening the digital competences of social and health care professionals, promoting entrepreneurship and developing learning environments, also in an international context.
Arja-Tuulikki Malin
Lector, Senior researcher. PhD, Lic.Ed, M. Soc.Sci. Special expertise in regional sciences, adult education and learning, as well as social and healthcare management. Current research interests in system management (including system resilience) and value creation from digital transition point of view.
Marketta Niemelä
Chief Specialist, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science and Information Systems, Master of Psychology (minors: Computer Science and Statistics). Areas of expertise include digital transformation in wellbeing services, artificial intelligence and robotics, technology in elderly care services, and human-technology interaction. Member of the National Coordination Group for Agetech.
Antti Tanninen
Lecturer in Emergency Care, Master of Health Care (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), Doctoral Researcher (University of Helsinki), Vocational Teacher, Social and Healthcare Lean Master. Special expertise in leadership in emergency care, competence management and development, leadership structures in social and healthcare services, and various aspects of multiauthority collaboration.
Susanna Tella
Chief specialist, Doctor of Health Sciences (FT), RN, chair of Augmented Intelligence Unit of Finnish Patient and Client Safety Association. Special expertise in learning about patient safety, second victim and psychological safety, development of personal protective equipment, multidisciplinary and international research collaboration.
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Anu Venesoja
Principal Lecturer in Emergency Care, PhD, MHSc, RN. Member of the patient and client safety strategy working group, leader of the national RDI cooperation group of the emergency care teacher network, member of the international ERNST research network (2020–2024). Special expertise in occupational and patient safety culture in emergency care, well-being and coping at work, emergency care management, occupational safety and patient safety.
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Xiaolei Wang
Chief Specialist, Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, expertise in interdisciplinary research on AI and applications in the fields of healthcare, building automation, and renewable energy, focusing on data mining, machine learning, optimization, robotics, signal processing, control, and industrial electronics, over 20 years of teaching and research experiences.
Recent publications
Sustainable digital innovations for health and safety
Niemelä, M., Kemppainen, T., & Vuollet, J. (2025). Artificial intelligence in wellbeing services counties: management and experts’ perspectives on opportunities, challenges and AI readiness. Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare, 17(1), 57-72. https://journal.fi/finjehew/article/view/155471.
Digital capabilities for healthier society
Pérez-Esteve, C., Guilabert, M., Matarredona, V., Srulovici, E., Tella, S., Strametz, R., & Mira, J. J. (2025). AI in Home Care—Evaluation of Large Language Models for Future Training of Informal Caregivers: Observational Comparative Case Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e70703. Journal of Medical Internet Research - AI in Home Care—Evaluation of Large Language Models for Future Training of Informal Caregivers: Observational Comparative Case Study.
Seppänen, K., Tanninen, A., & Venesoja, A. (2025). Paramedic nursing students’ experiences of clinical placement in an ambulance where the teacher is another clinical supervisor− A qualitative study. International Emergency Nursing, 83, 101698. Paramedic nursing students’ experiences of clinical placement in an ambulance where the teacher is another clinical supervisor − A qualitative study - ScienceDirect.
Tanninen, A., Kouvonen, A., & Nordquist, H. (2025). Competence expected from advanced-level paramedics by emergency medical services managers in Finland: a modified Delphi study. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 33(1), 62. Competence expected from advanced-level paramedics by emergency medical services managers in Finland: a modified Delphi study | Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Springer Nature Link.
Carrillo, I Skoumalová, I Bruus, V Klemm, S Guerra-Paiva, B Knežević, A Jankauskiene, D Jocic, S Tella, SC Buttigieg, E Srulovici, AM Geckova, k Polluste, R Strametz, P Sousa, M Odalovic, JJ Mira (2024). Psychological Safety Competency Training During the Clinical Internship From the Perspective of Health Care Trainee Mentors in 11 Pan-European Countries: Mixed Methods Observational Study. JMIR Med Educ 10, e64125.
P Torkki, L Rotinen, S Taponen, S Tella, K Grönman, I Deviatkin, LJ Pitkänen, A Venesoja, K Koljonen, E Repo, K Laatikainen (2024). Increasing the role of sustainability in public procurement of personal protective equipment. Journal of Cleaner Production 455, 142335.
Digitally enhanced safety and preparedness
Key elements for designing effective second victim support interventions: a focus group study in European clinical settings. BMJ open, 15(1), e089923. Key elements for designing effective second victim support interventions: a focus group study in European clinical settings | BMJ Open
Pietilä, Emma, Koivu, Inka, Tuhkanen, Rosa, Tanninen, Antti, & Venesoja, Anu 2025. Ensihoitaja (AMK) -koulutettujen kokemuksia kriisinhallintaoperaatioiden lääkinnällisistä tehtävistä. Sotilaslääketieteen aikakauslehti. Vol. 100, 15-23. Sotilaslääketieteen aikakauslehti 1/2025
Srulovici, E., Tumelty, M. E., Skoumalova, I. M., Bonanno, P. V., Kubilienė, E., Mira, J. J., ... & Buttigieg, S. C. (2025). Patient safety and the second victim phenomenon in nursing and medical curricula: A qualitative study. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 100403. Patient safety and the second victim phenomenon in nursing and medical curricula: A qualitative study - ScienceDirect.
Vella Bonanno, P., Srulovici, E., Mira, J. J., Strametz, R., Tella, S., Marinkovic, V., ... & Buttigieg, S. C. (2025). A framework for integrated safety in safety-management systems in healthcare. International Journal of Health Governance, 30(4), 436-450. A framework for integrated safety in safety-management systems in healthcare - ScienceDirect.
J Mira, I Carillo, S Tella, K Vanhaecht, M Panella, D Seys, MI Ungureanu, P Sousa, SC Buttigieg, P Vella-Bonanno, G Popovici, E Srulovici, S Guerra-Paiva, B Knezevic, S Lorenzo, P Lachman, S Ushiro, SD Scott, A Wu, R Strametz (2024). The European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victim (ERNST) Policy Statement on the Second Victim Phenomenon for Increasing Patient Safety. Public Health Rev 45, 1607175.
Contact info
lab [dot] fi