Key facts

Overview

The Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication course introduces the principles of Human Factors science as applied to the system of care. It teaches about the skills needed to function effectively and safely in teams in a modern surgical environment, and how to apply human factors principles to the design of tasks, the assessment of equipment, and the measurement of human performance.

Offered by Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education’s CPD Centre, the taught week is led by Dr Ken Catchpole, Associate Director of Surgical Safety and Human Factors Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles. It features face-to-face lectures and tutorials in small groups. Teaching is delivered by members of the Quality, Reliability, Safety and Teamwork Unit research group, and invited speakers from other prestigious patient safety units.

The course is a one-week module from the Surgical Science and Practice programme. It can be taken as a stand-alone short course or as part of the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice.

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Description

"This is a whole new concept and it's not only fascinating but something that should be taught to everyone in healthcare... I have gained a method by which to assess and hopefully tackle some of the more subtle problems we face in healthcare."

"More surgeons should be exposed to these topics. A fabulous module with a great instructor."

The Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication course provides the opportunity to learn more about and discuss the following topics:

• Introduction to human factors
• Surgical perspective on patient safety and human factors
• Human factors in healthcare
• Statistics and study design
• Systems approach to quality and safety in healthcare
• Practical skills in patient safety
• Task analysis and synthesis
• Equipment and workspace design
• Behavioural safety
• Teamwork, simulation and non-technical skills
• Safety and quality improvement in healthcare.

The course introduces the topic area with the 5-dimension Systems Engineering In Patient Safety (SEIPS) model, then takes one dimension to focus on each day. Most lectures have an accompanying practical session to practice the skills learned.

Click here to see an example schedule for the course.

Class sizes are kept small to allow full interaction with tutors. Study before and after the course is supported by a rich virtual learning environment.

Programme details

This course can be taken:

• as a 5 day short course (for credit or not for credit)
• as part of the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice

Venue

This course will be held at Trinity College in the heart of historic Oxford. Students will also have access to the facilities at the Department for Continuing Education, Rewley House, Oxford.

Staff

Dr Ken Catchpole

Role: Tutor

Associate Director of Surgical Safety and Human Factors Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles

Dr Ken Catchpole is a...more research psychologist and human factors practitioner who seeks to understand and improve human performance in complex systems. After leading a nationwide project developing human abilities in weapon detection at UK airports, he began research in healthcare in 2003, examining the mechanisms of teamwork and safety in surgery. He now works with clinicians to develop and scientifically evaluate interventions to improve safety, while taking a semi-ethnographic approach to understanding the complex nature of safety, quality and human error in healthcare. He has contributed to healthcare research and improvement in the UK, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA; and assists the Clinical Human Factors Group, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and the Royal College of Surgeons in the establishment of human factors principles in healthcare; and is an Associate Editor for BMJ Quality and Safety. Through popular and scientific articles, keynote addresses, and media coverage, he has sought to engage a worldwide audience in the evaluation and improvement of safety in healthcare from a human factors perspective.

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Certification

Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the assessed work required for academic credit but who do satisfy the course attendance requirements will receive a Certificate of Attendance. The pdf sample above is an illustration only, and the wording will reflect the course and dates attended.

Those successfully completing the couse for credit can apply to receive a CATS point transcript.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on multiple choice questions or structured short questions, online project working and practical tests.

Academic credit

Those wishing to may apply to take the course with accreditation. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for the course. Participants attending at least 75% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS-equivalent points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms are rated 4-star, and come with free high-speed internet access and TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

Payment

The course fee includes tuition, course materials, refreshments and a three course lunch on each day of the course at our silver service restaurant.

Please see the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice page for more information regarding module fees when taking this course as a part of the MSc Programme.

Scholarships

Details of funding opportunities including grants, bursaries and scholarships are available here.

Fee options

Programme Fee

For students enrolled on the MSc: £1575.00

Stand-alone short course fee: £1890.00

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Programmes including this module

This module can be studied as part of these programmes:

• MSc in Surgical Science and Practice
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research
• Short courses in health sciences