Welcome to the Human Factors Hub

In this article, we describe and promote a NES-led faculty development initiative – created in collaboration with multiple partners from higher education and professional bodies – with the goal of building capacity and capability amongst educators in foundational Human Factors & Ergonomics (HFE) concepts and tools.  The Brilliant Basics HFE Teaching Packs can be flexibly adapted by health and care educators at all levels and incorporated into existing curricula, educational programmes or used as stand-alone.  A summary of the prototype resource and access to the full article are below:

SUMMARY

What is the educational challenge?

The need to embed Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) in healthcare education and practice is strongly advocated. However, knowledge of HFE is limited and often mistranslated with many curricula and journal publications containing fundamental misunderstandings of the discipline, including perpetuating myths and fallacies. To embed high quality teaching and learning of HFE in healthcare curricula, including in low- and middle-income countries, educators require a secure understanding of core HFE principles and practices. This knowledge is essential for developing HFE capacity and capability in the existing and future healthcare workforces.

What are the proposed solutions?

Foundational HFE principles and methods are introduced in the education resources described. We signpost to publicly available learning materials containing six Phase 1 Open Access Brilliant Basics HFE Teaching Packs (e.g. ‘Introduction to Human Factors’ and ‘Designing for People’). Each pack contains a Facilitator’s Guide with a lesson plan, learning objectives and Microsoft PowerPoint slides with instructional notes and practical activities for Learners. Resources can be flexibly integrated into educational programmes and teaching sessions.

What are the potential benefits to a wider global audience?

The curriculum represents a necessary first step in providing healthcare educators internationally with Open Access, practical teaching materials on foundational HFE theory and methods developed by subject matter experts. These targeted educational materials can help to bridge gaps in HFE knowledge and practice, replacing misunderstandings with secure, accurate information around the discipline’s core purpose, approach and benefits.

What are the next steps? The next steps involve the release of a further Open Access self-directed certificated continuing professional development module (hosted on Microsoft Sway) for anyone with a professional interest in HFE. Phase 2 of the Brilliant Basics HFE teaching packs (e.g. Task Analysis, HFE and Quality Improvement) is currently in development to be released in 2026.