Twelve tips for embedding human factors and ergonomics principles in healthcare education

TLDR

Healthcare education and practice often neglect human factors and ergonomics, limiting safety and improvement efforts, yet integrating HFE theory into curricula can enhance system performance and the well‑being of all stakeholders. The authors provide practical tips for educators to embed human factors and ergonomics principles into curricula and professional development, aiming to improve frontline safety and challenge prevailing misconceptions.

Abstract

Safety and improvement efforts in healthcare education and practice are often limited by inadequate attention to human factors/ergonomics (HFE) principles and methods. Integration of HFE theory and approaches within undergraduate curricula, postgraduate training and healthcare improvement programs will enhance both the performance of care systems (productivity, safety, efficiency, quality) and the well-being (experiences, joy, satisfaction, health and safety) of all the people (patients, staff, visitors) interacting with these systems. Patient safety and quality improvement education/training are embedded to some extent in most curricula, providing a potential conduit to integrate HFE concepts. To support evolving curricula and professional development at all levels – and also challenge prevailing “human factors myths and misunderstandings” – we offer professional guidance as “tips” for educators on fundamental HFE systems and design approaches. The goal is to further enhance the effectiveness of safety and improvement work in frontline healthcare practice.