You are currently using an unsupported browser which could affect the appearance and functionality of this website. Please consider upgrading to the latest version or using alternatives such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Updated for 2026

Welcome to this updated course on Human factors. The eLearning package has been specifically designed to contain the key elements you need to know about:

  • human factors
  • delivering simulation and debrief
  • preparing to teach human factors to others as a trainer.

This course has been written alongside Capability in Practice 5 (CiP 5) from the RCOG Core Curriculum. It has been designed for trainees, consultants, midwives, obstetric anaesthetists and any healthcare professional working within the multidisciplinary maternity team to understand the concepts of human factors as applied to maternity care, and then reflect on how to implement these in everyday practice. Although these concepts are focused on maternity, they can be further applied to all areas of healthcare.

When you have completed this course you will be able to:

  • define the concept of human factors and identify its key components, including psychology, engineering, and ergonomics
  • explain how human factors principles have improved safety in industries such as aviation and healthcare
  • describe the stages of the decision-making process and summarise the T-DODAR model
  • apply structured decision-making tools (e.g., T-DODAR) and debiasing techniques to clinical scenarios in obstetrics and gynaecology
  • analyse factors that influence decision making, including cognitive biases, situational awareness, and environmental pressures
  • evaluate threats to situational awareness and explain how systemic factors (e.g., migration of boundaries) can impact clinical safety
  • demonstrate effective communication strategies in clinical settings using tools such as SBAR, graded assertiveness, and structured handovers
  • assess workload management strategies, including prioritisation, delegation, and fatigue recognition, to minimise risk and improve patient safety
  • understand the concepts of Safety-I and Safety-II and what this means for safety management
  • examine healthcare delivery from a systems perspective, identifying interactions between people, tasks, technologies, and organisational factors
  • design approaches to foster psychological safety and a just culture within clinical teams, addressing barriers and promoting speaking up and continuous learning.

Hashviniya Sekar (2026)

Dr Sekar is a specialty trainee registrar in the North East and Central London deanery. She has worked as a Clinical Fellow in Simulation at the Royal London Hospital in 2024-25. She is also an accredited Human Factors Trainer as part of Global Air Training.

Wai Yoong (2026)

Mr Yoong is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at North Middlesex University Hospital. He is an accredited Human Factors facilitator and holds Technical Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.

Maud Nauta (2026)

Dr Nauta is a member of the Clinical Human Factors Group and a certified Human Factors/Crew Resource Management instructor.

Wasim Lodhi (2026)

Mr Lodhi is a consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at North Middlesex University Hospital.

Shireen Hickey (2026)

Shireen is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Calderdale & Huddersfield Hospital Trust in Yorkshire. She is the Obstetric Clinical Lead for the Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Academy and the Regional Obstetric Lead for Maternal Enhanced and Critical Care.

Farrah Pradhan (2026)

Farrah is the Head of Maternity Safety at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

Louise Page (2026)

Louise is the clinical director for the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigation (MNSI) programme and Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at West Middlesex Hospital, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Jayne Holden (2026)

Jayne is the education lead at the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) programme.

Louise Roe (2026)

Louise is a maternity investigator at the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) programme.

Sonia Barnfield (2026)

Sonia is the deputy clinical director for the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) and consultant obstetrician and consultant lead for clinical governance in maternity at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust.

Kirsty MacLennan (2026)

Kirsty is an anaesthetic clinical advisor at the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) programme and consultant anaesthetist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) with a specialist interest in obstetric anaesthesia.

Chandrima Biswas (2026)

Chandrima is an obstetric clinical advisor at the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) programme and consultant obstetrician at Whittington Health NHS Trust, specialising in high-risk obstetric care. She is the Lead Obstetrician for Perinatal Quality for the North Central London Integrated Care Board.

This course has been designed for trainees, consultants, midwives, obstetric anaesthetists and any healthcare professional working within the multidisciplinary maternity team to understand the concepts of human factors as applied to O&G, and then reflect on how to implement these in everyday practice.

Although these concepts are focused on O&G, they can be further applied to all areas of healthcare.

The content of this course relates to the following Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) and key skills:

CiP 5: The doctor takes an active role in helping self and others to develop themselves.

Price: Free

Return to Catalogue