EUPHIX workplan - EUPHIX WorkInProgress

Description time table

The activities are divided in Work Packages. One Full Project Meeting (FPM) will be held roughly every six months. We plan to offer an improved version of the web application, called ‘Integrated Pilot’, for each FPM.

In the first half of the project period we will focus on the basic web technology aspects and database functionalities, while the production of the content will be in focus in the second half. More attention will be given to the links with other EU projects and activities in the second half as well.

Milestones (IP1.1-1.4, 2.0) are marked in the time table.

Time table

Time	WPc1	WPc2	WPc3	WPc4
Year-months	Management, sustainability	Content	Application	Networks
2005/ 4-7	Elaborate project aims; 1^st FPM June 9-10	First designs for content structure	First designs for application; writing functional design	Plan for establishing of the expert network
2005/ 8-10	Organise work in RIVM EUPHIX team; employ a broader expertise in RIVM/VTV	Elaborate the basics of EUphact/EUphocus structure	Develop Work-in-Progress (WiP) site	PR activities: leaflet, EUPHA presentation
2005/ 11 to 2006/ 1	Prepare integrated pilot 1.1; organise next FPM	Prepare pilot application (2 EUphoci, 6 EUphacts)	Prepare pilot application; develop database and map production
2006/ 2-3	2^nd FPM 2-3 February :IP 1.1; discuss first pilot; expand contacts with DG SANCO	Consolidate pilot with partners, reviewers; select 2 new EUphoci, 5-7 new EUphacts	Consolidate pilot with partners, reviewers	Start building networks and partner co-operation for new EUphacts, EUphoci
2006/ 4-8	Prepare next meeting; work with partners	Start work on new EUphacts/EUphoci; devise publishing procedures	Implement the adapted style sheet. Develop further application tools: database, maps, graphs	Work with partners; establish target group panel
2006/ 9-12	3^rd FPM 19-20 October, Luxembourg: IP1.2; discuss improvements oand additions to the first pilot, further plans; expand PR activities. Consider conditions for sustainable maintenance	Implement new EUphoci and associated EUphacts; implement production protocols on editing and reviewing. Select and start on 2 new EUphoci, 6-8 new EUphacts; start work on policy overviews	Implement standards in database; production of tables, graphs, maps. Consider maintenance after end of project	Consult target group panel. Establish inventory of network partners
2007/ 1-4	4^th FPM April: IP 1.3; discuss system extensions; further plans;	Implement new EUphoci and EUphacts; select extra EUphacts to cover (part of) the ECHI shortlist	Adaptations for maintenance outside RIVM?	Continue involvement of partners, networks
2007/ 5-8	IP 1.4	Have more ECHI shortlist EUphacts covered; draft policy overviews	Prepare for handing over, depending on success application	2nd consultation target group panel
2007/ 9-12	5^th FPM November:IP 2.0; agreement on project finalisation	Last update of EUphacts and EUphoci	Last update of technical improvements
2008/ 1-6	Prepare final report; final web site release; transfer to SANCO	Consolidation of content	Consolidation	Consolidation and establishment of the EUPHIX network

Milestones

Deliverables are indicated in the columns corresponding to the Work Packages. In the column WPc 1 (management), five ‘integrated pilots’ are mentioned. These integrated pilots are accessible only for the EUPHIX team at the RIVM and for the project partners.

These can be roughly described as:

IP 1.1: The web site environment is experimental, the content is implemented as drafts, serving as examples for the first discussion of the structure and content.

IP 1.2: The web site environment is substantially upgraded, the content elements are reviewed, EUphacts extended by the first two EUphoci on smoking and obesity. Some exchange of expertise with project partners has been implemented.

IP 1.3: Limited upgrade of the web site environment; substantial extension of EUphoci and EUphacts, increasingly using the expertise of the project partners, the expert networks and the target group panel.

IP 1.4: Consolidation of web site environment; further extension of indicator-related EUphacts. Focus on sustainability of the system.

IP 2.0: The final product of the EUPHIX project. A functioning prototype including information on a variety of ECHI shortlist indicators, and a set of policy-relevant health EUphoci; a network of experts and the procedures for further maintenance are set up

WPc 1: Project management and co-ordination; ensuring sustainability

WPc 2: Content design, development and structure

WPc 3: Building and implementing the web application

WPc 4: Building expert networks and ensuring expert input

WPc 1: Project management and co-ordination; ensuring sustainability

This work package implies steering and controlling the attainment of EUPHIX’ deliverables and objectives, within the agreed budget and time frame. It includes

project co-ordination
ensuring of the coherence of activities, and
guiding the system to the point of sustainability.

WPc 2: Content design, development and structure

This work package aims to structure, select, gather, analyse and integrate the content within EUPHIX. There are two guiding principles:

EUPHIX aims to present the information from the ECHI shortlist indicators, and
EUPHIX aims to deal with policy-relevant issues in a comprehensive and integrative manner.

The issue of policy relevance implies that the information on (public) health policies, along with the information and data on health status and determinants, will be included. In addition, it means that policy considerations will be guiding in selecting the content issues.

In terms of the structure of the website, the principles (1) and (2) are translated into two types of ‘content elements’, called ‘EUphact’ and ‘EUphocus’.

EUphact

EUphacts are concise information packs, including basic statistical information related to one or two indicators, presented as tables, graphs and maps. In addition, they feature some explanatory text and relevant links and references. EUphacts largely coincide with the indicators included in the ECHI shortlist, or at least these will be used as a starting point. They are principally structured according to the hierarchical tree used in the ECHI project, with some changes and additions related to the anticipated use of EUPHIX. The most apparent addition compared to the ECHI list is the inclusion of the conceptual category “Health policies”. Furthermore, some changes in the order of the categories distinguish the two conceptual trees.

EUphocus

EUphoci will be selected for their policy relevance. They are broader and more comprehensive than EUphacts. EUphoci will be built as a frame of integrative or analytical text and information, linked to a selected set of EUphacts that provide the necessary basic information. The information presented in a particular EUphocus will thus encompass more than the sum of the included separate EUphacts. Within the context of EUphoci, health data will be linked with the information on preventive measures and (public) health policies.

WPc 3: Building and implementing the web application

The aim of this work package is to develop the EUPHIX web application which will provide access to all content matter described above in a systematic, logical and integrated way. This includes all characteristics that are needed to regularly update and maintain the system.

The web application is based on technology developed for the Dutch public health information websites ‘Nationaal Kompas Volksgezondheid’ and ‘Nationale Atlas Volksgezondheid’. This includes a Content Management System (CMS) with functionalities needed to create the lay-out, to edit documents, and to use internal links to background databases containing literature references, abbreviations, and a glossary of terms. It also features functionalities for creating tables, graphics and maps, either ‘stand-alone’ or (at a later stage) in connection with a separate database containing an underlying data repository. This data repository will be developed specially for EUPHIX. Technically, the application uses ASP.NET as the internet software and MS SQL server as the database software.

WPc 4: Building expert networks and ensuring expert input

The aim of this work package is

to map the existing expertise within and across EU Member Statesexisting expertise within and across EU Member States
to develop expert networks that will contribute to the content of EUPHIXexpert networks that will contribute to the content of EUPHIX, and
to guide these experts in the process of contributingese experts in the process of contributing.

The deliverable of this Work package thus consist of the ‘expertise map’ and a set of working procedures using and maintaining the expertise network.

EUPHIX will derive its content matter from:

statistical data
reports and publications
actual expert input

While the project partners may be relatively well equipped to identify and access statistical data (1) linked to ECHI shortlist indicators, some ‘data doors’ at national level may still need opening. In addition, the ‘EUphocus’ approach requires in-depth understanding and specific expertise, both at cross-national and national level. External experts may help EUPHIX staff and partners to identify relevant reports and publications (2), including the work carried out by EU-funded projects and networks. They may also help to highlight the groundbreaking national approaches.

Expert advice on (public) health policy reports (2) is also important, particularly when national structures and policy priorities are concerned