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A system consisting of an industrial robot and a computer was provided with a camera of high resolution. The camera/computer interface was provided with an electronic window which was made controllable by computer program. A rough raster scan was used for detection of presence and approximate location of the objects. A finer raster and a set of seven thresholds for the brightness were then applied in a limited window around each object only, in order to save memory space and time without losing accuracy. Thus, e.g. two objects could be detected at the location of an originally unified area, or objects of the same form but differing colors were distinguished. The observation, indentification and classification of the objects by the robot were performed as a fully automatic sequence.

This study aims to compare Finnish medical students' perceptions of the suitability of three experiential methods in learning interpersonal communication competence (ICC). The three methods it seeks to explore are: theatre in education; simulated patient interview with amateur actors; and role‐play with peers. The methods were introduced in a pilot course of speech communication.

Students (n=132) were randomly assigned to three groups. The data were collected via questionnaire and focus group interviews, and analysed using qualitative content analysis and cross‐case analysis.

Most of the medical students thought these methods were suitable or very suitable for learning ICC. The methods had five similar elements: the doctor's role, the patient's role, reflective participation, emotional reactions and teachers' actions. Being in a doctor's role, realistic scripts and patient‐roles, observing the interaction and reflection in small groups were the most helpful elements in these methods.

The results of this study show that simulated patient interview with amateur actors, role‐play with peers, and TIE are very suitable methods for practising professionally relevant ICC in the context of doctor‐patient encounters from the medical students' perspective.

Purpose – This chapter aims at analysing the spatial pattern of the impending shortage of rural labour in North Karelia, Finland. The focus of the analysis is on forestry, which has a demand for labour that is spread evenly over the entire region.

Methodology – Future population development up to 2020 is predicted by roll-up calculation model, which reveals the future potential of local labour in forestry by area type.

Findings – Economic development shapes the socio-economic landscape. The economic boom since the mid-1990s towards advanced production and services has led to the strengthening of a concentrated regional structure in North Karelia. Forest resources are increasingly being utilized through labour living in the municipal centres, as the supply of competent labour in the distant and core rural areas has been on the decline. Therefore, in the future municipality centres will have to supply the labour force for forestry and its associated services within a reasonable commuting distance.

Practical implications – In order to enable the efficient use of forest resources in the future new policy options such as more efficient forest management through the enlarging of the forest holdings to be harvested, the use of foreign labour, contract work and the better utilization of redundant rural housing and infrastructure should be considered as an addition to the traditional engineering approaches aimed at increasing mechanization. At any rate, if nothing is done, the aim of making more intensive use of forest resources and converting the forest biomass to energy may not be achieved in a region such as this.