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Human Factors, Teamwork, and Communication

Gain the essential non-clinical skills, knowledge, and insight for a successful clinical career

Interested? Stay in touch

Student experience

'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.'

Taught modules

Human factors, teamwork and communication

Overview  

The Human Factors, Teamwork, and Communication module introduces practical and academic principles of human factors science as applied to systems of care. Students will be equipped with the skills needed to apply human factors principles to the design of tasks, the assessment of equipment, and the measurement of human performance.  

What will you learn? 

Students will be equipped with the ability to apply human factors approaches to healthcare improvement through highly interactive small group discussions, hands on activities, real world examples, and written assignments. The Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication course provides the opportunity to learn more about and discuss the following topics: 

  • Introduction to human factors 
  • Surgical and medical perspectives 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 
  • Teamwork, simulation and non-technical skills 
  • Analysing and making recommendations from incidents. 

Who will you learn from? 

Dr Helen Higham, Module Lead 

Consultant Anaesthetist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford 
Director of the University of Oxford Simulation Centre 
Doctoral research on situational awareness in the operating theatre 
Module lead for Human Factors, Communication and Teamwork 

Previous guest speakers have included, but are not limited to: 

Assessment  

Assessment is by written assignment.

Mode of attendance 

This course can be taken: 

Short course participants who later enrol in the MSc or PGCert

Short course participants who submit a module assignment and achieve a pass, and within two years enrol in an award-bearing course (e.g. MSc, PGDip, PGCert) which includes the module, may request exemption from re-taking the module. 

Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the written assignment but who do satisfy the course attendance requirements will receive a certificate of attendance. 

Venue and accommodation 

The course is run at a central Oxford teaching venue.  

The course administrators are able to advise on accommodation for your stay in Oxford, including booking university-owned accommodation. 

Fees for 2025-2026 

The fee for standalone modules is £3,390 for both home and overseas students. The course fee includes: 

  • Tuition
  • Course materials
  • Refreshments
  • Access to University of Oxford libraries and services including:
  • Radcliffe Science Library
  • Bodleian Libraries e-Resources
  • Exclusive access to the course’s online resources.

Please see the “Fees and Funding” page for more information.

Funding 

Details of funding opportunities including grants, bursaries and scholarships are available on our sources of funding page. 

Applying for the course 

Places on standalone modules are currently full. Therefore, applications for standalone modules are not being accepted this year. Sign up to our mailing list to stay abreast of standalone module information, including applications. See the "When and how do I apply?" tabs on the MSc and PGCert pages for more information about applying to the MSc and PGCert.

Selection criteria 

To apply for this course, you should: 

  • be a graduate or have a professional healthcare-related qualification 
  • have at least two years' professional work experience in healthcare or a health-related field 
  • be comfortable in an academic teaching environment and with engaging in academic discourse 
  • have the opportunity, usually through your workplace, to apply what you learn in a healthcare setting 
  • demonstrate an adequate level of English (if English is not your first language) 
  • if taking the module for credit, be able to write academic English to a good standard.


Join our Oxford Open Grand Rounds, a series of virtual events featuring core concepts from the course. Open to all.

Our previous and upcoming events include:

Join our Programme Information Event

Course related enquiries

Email: ssp@nds.ox.ac.uk