• UEA - University of East Anglia logo

Human Factors in a Healthcare Environment

Learn how the study of human factors can reduce error in healthcare with this course for healthcare professionals.

13,726 enrolled on this course

Human Factors in a Healthcare Environment

13,726 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Discover how understanding human factors can improve patient safety

Human factors is the study of how humans behave and interact with each other and their surroundings. It considers how humans interact in the workplace and how, due to the inevitability of human error, mistakes are likely to occur.

On this course you will look at human factors in a healthcare environment, an area where it is vital to limit mistakes because human error can affect patient safety. You will learn about systems that pre-empt the inevitability of human error and can help improve clinical practice and patient safety as a whole.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The Basic Principles of Human Factors

    • Healthcare workers in a lecture scenario

      Introduction to the course

      An introduction to the course and an opportunity to meet the team responsible for your learning

    • A group of adults from all walks of life

      Introduction to human factors

      Exploring the concept that human error is inevitable and how by embracing this fact we can foster an effective learning environment to improve safety

    • Image of a head with cogs representing the brain

      Cognitive Topics

      Having an awareness of how cognitive topics can affect all of us within the workplace as well as day to day life, will allow us to have a clearer understanding of how error can occur

  • Week 2

    Application of Human Factors to Healthcare

    • Group of healthcare workers around a hospital bed

      Introduction to Week 2

      Introducing Week 2 of the course which is designed to take the fundamental topics we covered in Week 1 and apply them within the context of healthcare

    • Doctor holding a tablet device over a DNA stand background

      Human factors in healthcare

      We learn that an understanding of human factors coupled with improving our safety culture within the healthcare industry could lead to significant improvements in patient safety

    • Group of people with speech bubbles above them

      Communication

      The UK Health and Safety Executive suggests human failure is the cause for 80% of all accidents across all sectors including healthcare with communication, or more often a breakdown in communication, cited as a contributor

    • Stethoscope on a mobile phone

      Applying human factors in healthcare

      Although human factors in healthcare is still in its infancy we can look at transferable examples from other industries for inspiration

  • Week 3

    Implementing Change - Creating a Safety Culture

    • Group of climbers with safety ropes and harnesses

      Introduction to Week 3

      In the final week of the course we look at how we can create and improve a safety culture within healthcare using our understanding of human factors and error

    • Pen in hand hovering over paper report

      Error reporting in healthcare

      Error reporting in healthcare

    • Change infographic with stethoscope

      Implementing change

      Using our newly gained knowledge on human factors what changes could be implemented to our daily and working life practices to attempt to reduce human error

    • Stone staircase leading up

      End of course activities

      End of course feedback

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop an awareness of human error and how this can affect clinical performance
  • Describe the different cognitive categories under the umbrella term of human factors
  • Discuss the importance of effective communication within healthcare
  • Develop an effective and open safety culture within everyday practice

Who is the course for?

This course is for healthcare professionals of all levels, but many of the topics discussed are transferable across other industries.

Who will you learn with?

Anthony Jermy

Lecturer in Operating Department Practice at the school of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia.

Interests include clinical simulation, human factors and patient safety.

Veena Rodrigues

Emeritus Professor of Public Health & Medical Education, Norwich Medical School, UEA.
Lifelong Learner; Supervisor & Mentor; 'early adopter'; and advocate of pedagogy before technology.

Who developed the course?

UEA - University of East Anglia logo

UEA (University of East Anglia)

The University of East Anglia is an internationally renowned university providing top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 15,000 students from over 100 countries around the globe.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 6 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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