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Human Factors in a Healthcare Environment

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

13,282 enrolled on this course

Human Factors in a Healthcare Environment

13,282 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

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.

What topics will you cover?

  • Why Human error occurs
  • Cognitive Short Topics of Human Factors
  • Human factor case studies
  • Participant reflection and self evaluation to promote awareness of human factors
  • Strategies to improve communication within the workplace
  • Developing a safety culture

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?

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

Interests include clinical simulation, human factors and patient safety.

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)

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.

Ways to learn

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. 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

$109/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 9 Apr 2024

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

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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