Qrare
Digital transformation for healthcare: unified booking platform enabling 24/7 scheduling, automated GDPR compliance, and streamlined patient engagement.
Project Overview
Q-Rare is a digital platform developed for the Italian Huntington Research League Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to Huntington’s disease research and patient support services.
The platform serves as the foundation’s primary digital touchpoint, enabling patients and families to discover specialized medical professionals, book consultations, and access research services—all through a modern, accessible web experience.
Business Challenge
The foundation faced several operational challenges with their existing processes:
| Challenge | Impact |
|---|---|
| Manual Scheduling | Staff spent hours coordinating appointments via phone and email |
| Limited Visibility | Potential patients had difficulty finding specialized staff expertise |
| Fragmented Systems | Multiple tools for calendar, payments, and communications created inefficiencies |
| Compliance Risk | GDPR consent tracking was manual and error-prone |
| Accessibility | Services were only available during office hours |
Solution Delivered
A unified digital platform that transforms how the foundation connects with patients:
24/7 Online Booking
Patients can browse available services, view staff credentials, and book appointments at any time—eliminating phone tag and scheduling delays.
Professional Staff Profiles
Comprehensive profiles showcase each medical professional’s:
- Educational background and certifications
- Areas of specialization
- Prior experience
- Published research and papers
Integrated Calendar Management
Automatic synchronization with staff calendars (Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook) prevents double-bookings and keeps everyone aligned.
Virtual Consultation Support
Built-in Zoom integration enables remote consultations, expanding access for patients who cannot travel to Rome.
Secure Payment Processing
Multiple payment options (credit card, PayPal) with automatic invoicing streamline the financial workflow.
Automated Communications
Confirmation emails, SMS reminders, and WhatsApp notifications reduce no-shows and improve patient experience.
GDPR Compliance
Automated consent collection and logging ensures regulatory compliance with minimal administrative overhead.
Business Outcomes
Operational Efficiency
| Metric | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Booking Time | Reduced from 15+ minutes (phone) to under 2 minutes (online) |
| Administrative Tasks | Eliminated manual calendar coordination |
| After-Hours Bookings | Now possible 24/7 without staff involvement |
| Payment Processing | Automated with immediate confirmation |
Patient Experience
- Self-Service Access — Patients control their own scheduling
- Informed Decisions — Detailed staff profiles build confidence
- Flexible Options — In-person or virtual consultations available
- Reliable Reminders — Multi-channel notifications reduce missed appointments
Risk Reduction
- GDPR Compliance — Automated consent tracking eliminates manual errors
- Data Security — Enterprise-grade protection for sensitive patient information
- Business Continuity — 99.9% uptime ensures services remain available
Platform Capabilities
For Patients
- Browse services and staff specializations
- View real-time availability
- Book and manage appointments online
- Choose payment method
- Receive automated reminders
- Join video consultations
For Staff
- Synchronized calendar management
- Patient information at a glance
- Automated booking notifications
- Reduced administrative burden
For Administration
- Centralized booking dashboard
- Payment reconciliation
- Waitlist management
- Reporting and analytics
- Consent audit trail
Technology Investment
The platform was built on proven, enterprise-ready technologies:
- Content Management — WordPress, the world’s most popular CMS, ensuring long-term maintainability
- Booking Engine — BookingPress Pro, a specialized appointment system with 13 integrated modules
- Performance — Enterprise caching delivers fast page loads regardless of traffic
- Security — Web application firewall, encrypted connections, and regular security monitoring
This technology stack balances capability with cost-effectiveness, avoiding expensive custom development while delivering professional-grade functionality.
Return on Investment
Cost Savings
- Reduced staff time on scheduling and coordination
- Eliminated need for separate calendar, payment, and communication tools
- Lower compliance costs through automation
Revenue Enablement
- 24/7 booking availability captures more appointments
- Professional online presence attracts new patients
- Virtual consultations expand geographic reach
Risk Mitigation
- GDPR compliance reduces regulatory exposure
- Reliable infrastructure prevents service disruptions
- Secure systems protect organizational reputation
Project Delivery
| Phase | Activities |
|---|---|
| Discovery | Requirements gathering, stakeholder interviews, workflow analysis |
| Architecture | Technology selection, system design, integration planning |
| Development | Platform build, customization, third-party integrations |
| Testing | Quality assurance, user acceptance testing, security review |
| Launch | Deployment, staff training, go-live support |
| Optimization | Performance tuning, feedback incorporation, ongoing maintenance |
Why This Approach Works
Scalability
The platform grows with the organization—adding new staff, services, or locations requires no architectural changes.
Maintainability
Built on WordPress, the world’s most widely-used content management system, ensuring access to ongoing support and updates.
Flexibility
Modular design allows features to be added, modified, or removed as needs evolve.
Cost-Effectiveness
Leverages proven open-source and commercial solutions rather than expensive custom development.
Summary
Q-Rare demonstrates how strategic digital investment transforms healthcare service delivery. By unifying booking, payments, communications, and compliance into a single platform, the Huntington Research Foundation now operates more efficiently while providing a superior experience for the patients and families they serve.
The platform positions the foundation for continued growth, with infrastructure ready to support expanded services, additional staff, and new patient engagement initiatives.