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E-learning module: Human Factors | Ngā Āhua Tangata

20 Feb 2023

The e-learning module, Human Factors | Ngā Āhua Tangata in health care includes seven videos and is available free to all health care professionals   via the LearnOnline platform.

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand (HFESNZ) Professional Affairs Board supports this e-learning module for a specific number of relevant competencies up to Novice Level. Any trainees wishing to pursue professional certification with the HFESNZ is advised to let the HFESNZ know they have completed the module successfully.

Human Factors is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding the interactions between people and other parts of the systems they work within.

It applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design improvements that optimise both human wellbeing and system performance.

The module has been produced by the Health Quality & Safety Commission, videos funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and supported by WorkSafe.

English and te reo Māori captions are available when accessing the videos through YouTube. Accessible transcripts are also available.

Video one: Defining Human Factors | Te tautuhi Āhua Tangata 

WorkSafe’s Katie Buckley, a speech language pathologist and expert in ergonomics, explains the scientific discipline of Human Factors | Ngā Āhua Tangata.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here  (30KB,docx).

Video two: Embedding Human Factors in a critical care environment | Te tāmau Āhua Tangata i te ao whāomoomo

Dr Carl Horsley is an intensive care specialist and expert in Human Factors. He explains how the design of systems can support people in the realities of their work. Carl says Human Factors is about seeing people within the systems in which they work. He explains how design can help staff feel safe and supported, enabling them to give patients with the best care and to safeguard their own wellbeing.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here (36KB, docx).

Video three: Human Factors in nursing leadership | Ngā Āhua Tangata ki te kaihāutūtanga tapuhi

Intensive care nurse Lyn Maughan has more than 30 years of nursing experience, most of which she’s spent in critical care. Lyn uses Human Factors models to help understand the needs of whānau and to roster staff. She explains that using Human Factors ways of working are about leadership and a shared vision of excellent care.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here (31KB, docx).

Video four: Human Factors in anaesthesia | Te Āhua Tangata i te rehunga

Dr Matt Drake, a specialist anaesthetist and service clinical director at Auckland City Hospital, explains how Human Factors, including systems, processes and the way a surgical theatre is set up, combine to help clinicians do their best work.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here (36KB, docx).

Video five: Working relationally: A te ao Māori perspective | Te mahi tahi: Tā te Māori titiro

Māori midwives Lisa Kelly and TeRina Joseph explain the synergies between Human Factors models and te ao Māori, where the importance of whakapapa is acknowledged, and people are looked at as physical and spiritual beings. TeRina shares how te ao Māori is about keeping the mana of both the person and the clinician intact.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here (32KB, docx).

Video six: The value of Human Factors for paramedics | Te hua o ngā Āhua Tangata mā ngā manapou

Cameron Small is a registered paramedic with Wellington Free Ambulance and a degree lecturer on the Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) programme at Te Pūkenga (Whitirea and WelTec). Cam values Human Factors training because paramedics work in a high-stakes, high-acuity and often high-stress environment. A knowledge of Human Factors helps paramedics make the best decisions for each situation.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here (30KB, docx).

Video seven: User-centred design as part of Human Factors | Te hoahoa ā-kiritaki hei wāhanga o Ngā Āhua Tangata

Sarah Lakomy is an industrial designer and a Master’s student at Massey University. She’s also in the improvement and innovation team at her local hospital. Sarah explains how she used Human Factors models to design Hatch, a bassinet that encourages maternal bonding and helps parents give their newborns independent care in the directly after birth.

View the video below. View the accessible transcript here (29KB, docx).