Program Overview

Human Factors and Patient Safety MSc

Overview

This course is delivered through distance learning, making it suitable for those working in clinical or leadership healthcare roles in the UK or internationally. You study part-time, with the flexibility to engage with the interactive learning materials at a time suitable to you.

Course Details

Core Modules

• Advanced Human Factors
  • You explore ergonomics and examples of human factors influences with more complex tools and techniques explained.
• Developing Research Projects
  • Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation.
  • You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.
  • You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.
• Dissertation
  • Here you consolidate and develop further skills and knowledge from previous modules.
  • More specifically you synthesise learning as you apply your research-related knowledge to identify a researchable problem, plan and execute a study.
  • You use a range of different methodologies for your study, such as quantitative, qualitative or systematic review.
• Human Factors
  • In this module, you review the science of human factors, and you consider the tools and techniques for implementing the assessment of errors.
  • The psychological capital and systems thinking approaches are features of the module.
• Leadership, Culture and Context
  • This module explores how the organisational culture impacts on the leadership style and effectiveness of clinical areas.
  • You consider how the context of where you work impacts on the safety of patients.
• Legal and Ethical Influences of Leadership
  • In this module, you study wider influences of leadership and the impact this has on performance.
  • A personal review of ethical philosophy is a feature of the indicative content.
• Principles and Practice of Patient Safety
  • This module focuses on the governance and involvement of service users in the service provision.
  • You explore risk assessment and management strategies.

How You Learn

• The course is entirely online, so there will be engagement with Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and different strategies will be used:
  • Recorded key lectures
  • Directed reading
  • Video resources
  • Webinar type events
  • Group seminar through Collaborate Extra

How You Are Assessed

• The transition to master’s level study is embedded in the first core module, which is formatively assessed.
• All material is available through the virtual learning environment.
• Summative assessments include poster presentations, written assignments, contribution to written commentary as well as a final dissertation.

Entry Requirements

• You should have an honours degree at 2.2 classification or above.
• Applicants who do not have English as their first language are expected to demonstrate an IELTS score of 6.5.

Employability

• Career Opportunities
  • You are prepared for a career in a human factors or patient safety leadership role.

Learning Platform

• Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is the platform you use to access your online course.
• Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment.
• Here are some of the benefits:
  • You can use it on your smartphone, tablet and computer.
  • And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
  • It's easy to use and navigate.
  • Modules are set out by topics and themes.
  • You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
  • We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
  • You get feedback, help and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
  • Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
  • You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students and take part in online discussion forums.

Fees

• Part-time: £855 for each 20 credits

Duration

• 2 years

Attendance

• 100% online

Start Date

• September

Semester Dates

• Available upon request

University Information

• Teesside University ranked in the top 50 for online learning in the Uswitch Online Learning Index 2022.
• Teesside University was named University of the Year at the Edufuturists Awards 2022.
• Ranked in the top 350 list of global universities aged 50 years or under.
• Over 1,000 students enrolled on our open learning courses
• High-quality, stand-alone, open learning education for over 30 years