How human factors makes an impact in healthcare
In the healthcare sector, human factors experts aim to support
clinical staff in delivering safe, high-quality care by researching all
aspects of the clinical environment, including equipment, workspace,
work practices, organisational structure, safety procedures and training
with the aim of ensuring that the system in which they work in runs as
smoothly and safely as possible.
White Paper launch
On 4th October we launched our White Paper on human factors in healthcare which sets out CIEHF's vision for integration of Human
Factors in Health and Social Care and how Human Factors expertise can help and
benefit patients, staff and their organisations. Following an introduction at the evening launch by Dr Ian Randle, CIEHF President 2015/16, two talks were given by the lead authors of the White
Paper, Professor Sue Hignett and Dr Alex Lang, who outlined the CIEHF's
vision for human factors in health and social care. They discussed the
content of the paper and its importance as a strategic landmark in the
push for increased knowledge and competence within the health and social
care sector. Dr Brian Edwards also gave a talk, outlining the multi-faceted work of
CIEHF's unique Pharmaceutical Sector Group and its growing influence in a
number of important areas such as manufacturing, technology and device
design. Finally, the evening's keynote was given by Dr Paul Bowie of NHS
Scotland who discussed the strategies and initiatives being put in place
to help ensure human factors becomes embedded in healthcare practice in
Scotland.
A free digital copy of the White Paper is now available to download.
Download the White Paper now
Education and training in human factors in healthcare
The CIEHF accredits a number of academic degree courses and vocational training courses, a growing number of which centre on healthcare.
Taking a human factors approach
Human factors experts help to identify
potential risks to patient care and propose solutions that fit both
patients and staff, all the while taking a systems approach. See also the video by researchers at Loughborough University about systems thinking in healthcare.
When incidents happen, human factors experts can
examine what went wrong and propose ways to prevent such an incident
happening in the future. Our members work in a range of healthcare
fields. Watch the video of Alex Lang and read other members’ case
studies, reports and articles below.
#CIEHFChat
Sue Hignett, Professor of Healthcare Ergonomics & Patient Safety, Loughborough University
What’s the most significant contribution human factors is making to patient safety?
Right now, definitely in medical device design. We’re finding that a lot
of our graduate students are being employed by medical device companies
as the latest international standards (particularly from the
US) require human factors usability as part of medical device design.
Drug delivery devices is a particularly active area, with many global
pharma companies employing human factors teams to lead on this.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your sector?
To quote Bob Wears, a patient safety expert and emergency room
doctor from the US, “healthcare doesn’t employ safety scientists”. In
the UK, we’re not seeing human factors professionals being brought in.
Back in the 1980/90s when staff wellbeing was a big topic and the EU
directive landed, we saw a rise in ergonomists being employed across
healthcare. Back then I worked in a Nottinghamshire hospital, it was
calculated by the Health & Safety Executive that we saved the Trust
over £3.5million thanks to our work to reduce staff absence due to
musculoskeletal-related conditions. We’re seeing a lot of interest from
doctors and those across the medical profession, however, many are
trying to integrate human factors on top of their own jobs and it’s just
not working. Human factors is a specialist profession and it is my
belief that every NHS Trust must employ those experts, or at the very
least, someone with a post-graduate certificate in human factors.
What are you most excited about in your sector?
At Loughborough University, we’re working on an exciting new research
project with the Ministry of Defence on a global challenge to make
healthcare safer. We hope through the HUMAN-FIIT project, that in 25
years time we will see the engagement at all the right levels to make
human factors mandatory across the healthcare system as it is now in
defence. Please follow @HUMAN-FIIT:
Human Factors (Ergonomics) Integration & Investigation research
team on Twitter for all our updates. Whilst our NHS is very fragmented,
I’m excited to see pockets of best practice springing up. We’re seeing
many more healthcare staff getting their post-grad certificates from
lots of hospitals and as mentioned before, the medical device industry
is also helping our specialists make inroads into the healthcare system.
What advice do you have for students and CIEHF members keen to enter the healthcare sector?
Right now, medical device companies are a great option, the jobs are
plentiful, and the opportunities to learn and make an impact are there.
From a professional development point of view, I would say that we must
value our professional time, and step aside from the budget uncertainty
across the NHS. Myself and many of my colleagues are being asked to
consult on a voluntary basis, which in the long-term could damage our
profession. I’m also seeing the term ‘human factors’ disappearing or
being absorbed into quality initiatives. It is vital that where human
factors is being used, that we stand up and shout about it!