Work packages - EUPHIX WorkInProgress

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