EHFCN.org
Background
The European Healthcare Fraud & Corruption Network (EHFCN) is a European organisation dedicated to combating fraud and corruption in the healthcare sector across Europe. Today, the network represents 23 member associations in 10 countries, which provide healthcare services to millions of people in Europe.
EHFCN provides information, tools, training and assistance in fighting fraud and corruption as well as a platform for its members to exchange information and ideas.
Challenges
The EHFCN had a website with basic information about the network. A part of this website was an extranet functionality (only available after login) where members could read case studies, post messages to a forum and submit content of their own.
The EHFCN felt that the design and tone of the website did not give a proper overview of the network's role and importance.
New users to the extranet had to be manually added, and registered users were very few. The only messages in the forum were submitted by the EHFCN staff.
When submitting new content to the extranet there was a multitude of categorization options, most of which focused on the type of content (document, case study, e.t.c) rather than on the context (e.g. information related to patient fraud). As a result, many of the categories were practically empty and searching for documents related to a certain context had to be performed in each category separately.
Also there was an fatal security problem in that the search from the main website also searched within the (supposedly) locked extranet and allowed non-authenticated users to access pages that should have been restricted.
Solutions
After a thorough evaluation of the content management systems that fulfilled their requirement, the EHFCN chose the Eplica system and Hugsmidjan's professional services.
In collaboration between EHFCN and Hugsmidjan the visual presentation of the website was totally redesigned, implementing a clearer visual structure and a more focused use of color. The site map and navigational labels were revised in an effort to make them clearer and more informative to the defined user groups.
In a 2 day workshop session EHFCN's editors got a thorough introduction to the Eplica system, and the structure and layout was adjusted to the copy that was being written.
The extranet functionality is based on existing solutions within the Eplica system with a few additions specific to EHFCN's requirements. The structure of the extranet was redesigned to better match the actual usage and due to the limited use of the old forum, it was excluded from the new site. Instead focusing on lowering the threshold for users to submit other types of content (documents and textual descriptions).
A new signup process for extranet access was designed and implemented, where new users can register automatically - as long as they have access to an email-address belonging to one of the registered member institutions. As a further security measure the EHFCN webmaster gets a notification whenever a new user signs up.
Result
The public portion of the website, ehfcn.org was launched in July 2009 and the extranet was then opened later that year.
The redesign has met with general approval as a more modern and informative public representation of the network and its importance.
EHFCN's editors have full control over all content, and all daily administration is fully in their hands - with Hugsmidjan only assisting with larger changes and restructuring when needed.