Evaluating the user experience of the Beacon Decision Support System: a mixed-methods study of a digital platform for equity-oriented cancer care
- 1Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement (SPPEFF), University of Palermo
- 2Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- 3SporeData OÜ Tallinn
Abstract
The Beacon Decision Support System (DSS) is a digital platform developed under the EU-funded BEACON project to address disparities in cancer care across Europe. It aims to provide patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers with centralized, validated access to oncology information. To evaluate the usability and acceptability of the Beacon DSS, we used a complementary qualitative and quantitative evaluation consisting of two independent studies aimed at informing the iterative development of a patient-centered and stakeholder-relevant tool. Study 1 involved qualitative interviews with 10 participants (five cancer patients and five oncology professionals/researchers) to assess usability, barriers, and expectations. Study 2 used a quantitative survey administered to 45 stakeholders, combining the System Usability Scale (SUS) and AttrakDiff Mini to assess functional and experiential aspects of usability. Patients appreciated the DSS’s visual clarity but reported technical issues such as app freezing and language accessibility, which were promptly resolved and did not persist in subsequent use. Professionals valued resource credibility but noted limitations in search specificity and data coverage. SUS scores (M = 60.3, SD = 9.6) indicated acceptable usability. AttrakDiff results showed strong scores for pragmatic quality and overall attractiveness, but more modest scores for hedonic quality. Feedback led to enhancements, including better filtering, glossary links, language geolocation, and onboarding tutorials. The Beacon DSS is perceived as a useful and credible tool for improving oncology navigation. Addressing usability challenges, particularly in personalization, search logic, and content accessibility, may further enhance the platform’s usefulness and accessibility for a broad range of users.
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BibTeX
@article{daho2026evaluating,
title = {{Evaluating the user experience of the Beacon Decision Support System: a mixed-methods study of a digital platform for equity-oriented cancer care}},
author = {Margherita Dahò and Dario Monzani and Veronica Coppini and Maria Vittoria Ferrari and Giulia Ferraris and Roberto Grasso and Victor Galvão and Chloe Laurent and Aline Machiavelli and Ricardo Pietrobon and Lucas Teixeira and Gabriella Pravettoni},
journal = {BMC Health Services Research},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12913-026-15210-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15210-w},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluating the user experience of the Beacon Decision Support System: a mixed-methods study of a digital platform for equity-oriented cancer care
AU - Margherita Dahò
AU - Dario Monzani
AU - Veronica Coppini
AU - Maria Vittoria Ferrari
AU - Giulia Ferraris
AU - Roberto Grasso
AU - Victor Galvão
AU - Chloe Laurent
AU - Aline Machiavelli
AU - Ricardo Pietrobon
AU - Lucas Teixeira
AU - Gabriella Pravettoni
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC Health Services Research
DO - 10.1186/s12913-026-15210-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15210-w
AB - The Beacon Decision Support System (DSS) is a digital platform developed under the EU-funded BEACON project to address disparities in cancer care across Europe. It aims to provide patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers with centralized, validated access to oncology information. To evaluate the usability and acceptability of the Beacon DSS, we used a complementary qualitative and quantitative evaluation consisting of two independent studies aimed at informing the iterative development of a patient-centered and stakeholder-relevant tool. Study 1 involved qualitative interviews with 10 participants (five cancer patients and five oncology professionals/researchers) to assess usability, barriers, and expectations. Study 2 used a quantitative survey administered to 45 stakeholders, combining the System Usability Scale (SUS) and AttrakDiff Mini to assess functional and experiential aspects of usability. Patients appreciated the DSS’s visual clarity but reported technical issues such as app freezing and language accessibility, which were promptly resolved and did not persist in subsequent use. Professionals valued resource credibility but noted limitations in search specificity and data coverage. SUS scores (M = 60.3, SD = 9.6) indicated acceptable usability. AttrakDiff results showed strong scores for pragmatic quality and overall attractiveness, but more modest scores for hedonic quality. Feedback led to enhancements, including better filtering, glossary links, language geolocation, and onboarding tutorials. The Beacon DSS is perceived as a useful and credible tool for improving oncology navigation. Addressing usability challenges, particularly in personalization, search logic, and content accessibility, may further enhance the platform’s usefulness and accessibility for a broad range of users.
SN - 1472-6963
ER -