1. Practically apply Human Factors scientific data to the assessment of a work or home environment to support health, well-being and safety of those who work or live there
Knowledge and Understanding, Application, Professional Requirement

2. Analyse and combine physical, psychological and social data through a systems approach to provide a Human Factors input to the selection, assessment or design of technology eg suitable medical equipment, work tools, health apps, and more traditional human interfaces such as medication packaging, procedures Knowledge and understanding, Analysis, Application, Professional Requirement

3. Effectively communicate any significant concerns with equipment, information or physical environment along with your improvement recommendations, in order to support the health, safety and well-being of patients and others Problem Solving, Communication

4. Select, critically evaluate and if appropriate modify existing human factors tools, methods, techniques, standards and guidelines to collect data to underpin any improvement recommendations that you make Problem Solving, Application, Reflection

This module recaps the importance of the Human Sciences and a Systems approach, including the relevant underpinning theory, before addressing how the physical environment, instructions and equipment can support the safety of patients and service users. This module addresses the possible health, safety and well-being issues for anyone interacting with or within health and social care systems that have failed to adequately consider Human Factors. During this module you will:

1. Review and build on your knowledge of the Human Sciences and Systems theory.

2. Consider the physical environment and why this is important, including Health and Safety legal requirements.

3. Address how and when to undertake an environmental assessment in order to support those who work or live within it. This will also consider the underlying theories that link poor environmental conditions to human error.

4. Learn the importance of Equipment functionality and the need to assess how people will interact with equipment (including manual handling, patient hand dexterity, human equipment interfaces).

5. Identify Human Factors principles and guidance for Human Interface Design - visual, auditory and tactile materials (including user instructions, checklists and their value, signage and place finding). This will include theories of cognitive information processing, signal detection theory and theories of memory.

6. Be given the opportunity to reflect on the use of a Human Factors Integration plan, Human Factors reviews, audits and risk assessments for designing or modifying existing equipment and materials (visual/tactile/auditory). This will include patients, service users and carers as co-producers during design.

What should you do if you think that your equipment is difficult to use? Or your workplace (or someone else’s work or home environment) is making them ill? Or you don’t understand the signage in your building? Or a medical device’s user instructions don’t make sense? A health app doesn’t make sense or you simply can’t reach the storage shelf?

This module provides you with the Human Factors knowledge and tools to make a difference. You will find out how and when to engage with those who will be influenced by the environment or will have to use the equipment, including the need to engage with patients and families as co-producers in the design process. You will be able to scientifically assess the situation, record your supporting data and effectively communicate appropriate suggestions for purchasing decisions, or for making improvements. Just remember, simple solutions are more likely to succeed but can be complex to develop.

This module recaps the Human Sciences, including such challenges as aging and inclusivity. You will also be provided with an overview of the module topic areas and when they will be addressed. A new topic area will be released on-line each week and once released these materials will remain open for you to use at any time, at your own pace. At the start of each topic there will be an introduction supported by additional materials and references.

There will be a Discussion Board available to discuss the concepts with others on the course and with your module lecturers.

During week 12 (University week 29) you will need to work with your assigned group to achieve the summative assessment group project.

In addition to scheduled teaching and learning, you will be expected to undertake guided independent study to consolidate your learning and to complete your summative assignment.

Scheduled teaching and learning (15):
Video and online lectures, interactive discussion, individual tutorial

Guided Independent Study Hours (45):
Online materials, exercises, links, group project work

Independent Study Hours (140):
Assignment writing, portfolio logbook entries, additional reading and researching

Berlin, C. and Adams, C. (2017) Production Ergonomics designing work systems to support optimal human performance. London: Ubiquity Press Ltd

Bridger, R. (2017) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th edition. London: CRC Press

Pheasant, S. and Haslegrave, C.M. (2005) Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, third edition. London: Taylor and Francis

Tillman, B. (2016) Human Factors and Ergonomics design handbook, 3rd edit. London: McGaw-Hill

Travis, D. and Hodgson, P. (2019) Think like a UX researcher. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press

Successful completion of this module will require you to have access to a Computer and good internet access

Pre-requisites Successful completion of PGCert Human Factors for Patient Safety

Summative Assessments:
1: Select/Design/Modify and use a HF audit tool for an environment review. You will need to produce a HF
Environment Assessment Report that is appropriate to present to your manager that explains the importance
of any positive or negative findings of your audit.
The brief will be made available once the environmental assessment topics have been introduced and will need
to be submitted the end of University week 27. This assessment links to Learning Outcomes 1,3 and 4
2: Review & potential Re-design project with reflexive report. Following a whole cohort brainstorm session,
you will review the design given to you and suggest potential improvements within a short individual
presentation. This will receive formative feedback from the whole cohort. You will then write a report that
presents and reflects on the process and result.
Presentations will take place during University week 29/30 and individual reports to be submitted end of
University week 32. This assignment links to Learning Outcomes 2,3 and 4
Formative Assessments
Various activities will be provided for you to check your understanding of HF environment requirements and
their potential impact. This supports learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module recaps the importance of the Human Sciences and a Systems approach, including the relevant
underpinning theory, before addressing how the physical environment, instructions and equipment can
support the safety of patients and service users. This module addresses the possible health, safety and wellbeing issues for anyone interacting with or within health and social care systems that have failed to adequately
consider Human Factors. During this module you will:
1. Review and build on your knowledge of the Human Sciences and Systems theory.
2. Consider the physical environment and why this is important, including Health and Safety legal
requirements.
3. Address how and when to undertake an environmental assessment in order to support those who
work or live within it. This will also consider the underlying theories that link poor environmental
conditions to human error.
4. Learn the importance of Equipment functionality and the need to assess how people will interact with
equipment (including manual handling, patient hand dexterity, human equipment interfaces).
5. Identify Human Factors principles and guidance for Human Interface Design - visual, auditory and
tactile materials (including user instructions, checklists and their value, signage and place finding). This
will include theories of cognitive information processing, signal detection theory and theories of
memory.
6. Be given the opportunity to reflect on the use of a Human Factors Integration plan, Human Factors
reviews, audits and risk assessments for designing or modifying existing equipment and materials
(visual/tactile/auditory). This will include patients, service users and carers as co-producers during
design.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
What should you do if you think that your equipment is difficult to use? Or your workplace (or someone else’s
work or home environment) is making them ill? Or you don’t understand the signage in your building? Or a
medical device’s user instructions don’t make sense? A health app doesn’t make sense or you simply can’t
reach the storage shelf?
This module provides you with the Human Factors knowledge and tools to make a difference. You will find out
how and when to engage with those who will be influenced by the environment or will have to use the
equipment, including the need to engage with patients and families as co-producers in the design process. You
will be able to scientifically assess the situation, record your supporting data and effectively communicate
appropriate suggestions for purchasing decisions, or for making improvements. Just remember, simple
solutions are more likely to succeed but can be complex to develop.
Various activities (including a language complexity check) will be provided to embed your understanding of HF
linked to equipment design, task requirements and development of information. This supports learning
outcomes 2,3 and 4.
You will be encouraged to contribute your opinions and answers to topics posed on the discussion board. This
links to all learning outcomes.