Surgery & Medicine - Human Factors in Patient Safety

This inter-professional part-time online programme in Human Factors and Patient Safety from the RCSI Department of Surgical Affairs is for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of hospital patients.



Human factors recognises that non-technical skills are critical to enhanced patient care in hospital settings, and its study makes care safer and more effective in healthcare settings.



With access to an interprofessional team of experts you will develop an understanding of the theory around patient safety, errors, and the individual and system level factors which contribute to these. You will also gain a greater awareness of risk and error in the workplace by honing skills required to mitigate risk and prevent adverse outcomes.



Expand the skills and knowledge required to become involved in and lead patient safety initiatives and improve personal effectiveness through enhanced teamwork, leadership and communication.



You will attend online interactive sessions and workshops one day per month. The rest of the multi-disciplinary programme including didactic teaching, discussion boards, reading, and resources are offered online, which you can access in your own time.



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications



Suitable for

This online programme is suitable for surgeons, physicians, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine doctors, obstetricians, pharmacists, nurses and midwives working in the hospital setting, as well as safety and quality managers. Graduates achieve an in-depth understanding of error and risk in healthcare systems, you will acquire the skills to be safer and more efficient in your own practice, and gain the knowledge and skills to improve the safety and quality of care in your work systems.

What you will learn



Module 1

Error and Safety in Acute Healthcare

Introduce patient safety with a systems perspective, exploring foundational and seminal literature



Module 2

Personal Effectiveness and Non-technical Skills

Improve personal effectiveness and team performance factors in healthcare settings



Module 3

Leadership of Process and Quality Improvement

Explore theoretical principles and practical strategies behind quality improvement in healthcare



Module 4

Professionalism and Advanced Communications

Explore professionalism, ethical practice, and advanced communication, including end-of-life care



Module 5

Research Methods

Study various research methodologies and develop a proposal for a research dissertation

This is an inter-professional programme. Applications are invited from all those working in the acute hospital setting including surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians, obstetricians, radiologists, acute care nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, social workers, dietitians, occupational therapists, other allied healthcare professionals and quality managers.



To be eligible, you must hold a Bachelor of Medicine (MB) or a primary degree in a health and social sciences field with a qualification achieved at the level of 2.2 honours.



All candidates must also provide evidence of at least two years’ work experience in healthcare.



As part of the application process you are required to submit the following supporting documentation:



CV.



Copy of passport.



Copy of educational transcripts.



Proof of sponsorship (where applicable).



A 500-800 word response to the question 'Why is healthcare still not safe?'. Please note that all responses will be screened for AI generated content. Before submitting your application please review our AI guidelines.



Letter from current employer.



Evidence of English language qualification (where applicable).



English language requirement exceptions

If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply a copy of an academic Opens in new windowIELTS examination, or equivalent, with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no individual band below 6.5*, unless exempt.



Exemptions may apply if you have:



Completed school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) through English in a country where English is the majority native language



Completed school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) in an English speaking institution in a country where English is not the majority native language and where an IELTS score of 5 or more was a requirement for admissions to the programme



Been working in a country (two years or more) where English is the majority native language or for an employer where English language is the official language



Please note: Certified proof must be uploaded as part of your application.



Read more about minimum English language requirements at https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements

1 year



Mode of delivery

Online - Part-time

Next start date September 2025

Following the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, you may opt to progress to the MSc in Human Factors in Patient Safety. The MSc consists of a 30 credit Advanced Research Methods and Dissertation module which culminates in a submission-ready empirical research or quality improvement article plus an extended literature review.



Progression from Postgraduate Diploma to MSc



The MSc in Human Factors in Patient Safety is a two-year programme; the first year leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma, while the second leads to the award of MSc in Human Factors in Patient Safety.



At the end of year one and on the successful completion of five modules, you will be given the opportunity to indicate if you wish to progress to the MSc. Provided you have met the requirements to progress, you may continue to the MSc.



If, at this point, you do not wish to progress to the MSc, you can graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Factors in Patient Safety.



You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma year to be eligible to progress to the MSc. There is no option to enter straight into the MSc as this is a two-year programme.