Topic outline

  • Course Description

    Doctors in training must engage with safety and quality. Human Factors is a person-centred safety science exploring how individuals interact with work systems. It is recognised by the GMC (and other regulators) as offering a practical framework for developing safety competencies. If you have been studying on the Aberdeen MBChB, you will know that we have a two-stranded Human Factors curriculum. One strand covers foundation Human Factors material for all students, while the second is an advanced strand, delivered through student-selected and elective components. If you take advantage of these advanced options, you may well be eligible to apply for professional recognition as a healthcare technical Human Factors specialist by the time you leave the MBChB. This will require the submission of a portfolio demonstrating your competency.

    ME33HF is one of these advanced options. It has been designed to meet UK workforce planning around roles with a specific safety focus. It offers a more detailed introduction to systems-thinking as well as a ‘Human Factors toolkit’ and would suit anyone with an interest in this as a possible career option, or those with a general interest in safety and quality. You might also be interested to know that ME33HF is accredited by the UK professional body for Human Factors (the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors). Your assessment piece will therefore form at least one portfolio piece towards that professional recognition.



    This course is capped at 16

    Human factors course outline video - Dr Helen Vosper

    Course coordinator; helen.vosper@abdn.ac.uk 


    • What skills does the course develop?

      Intended learning outcomes to demonstrate.

      ·       understanding of the role and application of Human Factors/ergonomics principles to optimising system performance across the healthcare sector, taking into account workforce and patient capabilities;

      ·       the ability to identify potential and existing high-risk tasks, activities, and environments.

      ·       understanding of the theoretical and practice bases for healthcare systems analysis, re-design and/or development.


      • What will the timetable be like?

        2 interactive lectures and one 2hr seminar each week


        • How will I be assessed?

          Formative-  To complete an individual hierarchical task analysis.

          Summative – Reflective report

          Students will submit a 3000-word report describing a partial analysis of a relevant system using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety as a framework.


          • Anything else I should know?

            • What did previous students think about this course?

              “There were so many good things about this course… a clear linear structure, starting with easier to understand concepts before segueing to more complex ones. The interactive classes were also enjoyable, getting us all to share ideas over a coffee and practice tasks with one another gave me more confidence to do it by myself and allowed me to know my classmates better which was really nice!”

               Student view 24-25

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              • Useful links

                Staff Profile Dr Helen Vosper https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/helen.vosper