Human Factors in Extreme Environments – EMM711

This module will equip students with a critical understanding of human factors and how to apply knowledge of non-technical skills to reduce risk and mitigate against error, when operating in remote and expedition environments
CPD for healthcare professionals
Beautiful view of mount Ama Dablam, Himalayas - Getty Images  

Human Factors in Extreme Environments – EMM711

This module will equip students with a critical understanding of human factors and how to apply knowledge of non-technical skills to reduce risk and mitigate against error, when operating in remote and expedition environments
CPD for healthcare professionals

Key features

This module provides students with an opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of how human factors relating to psychological processes and environmental factors can impact both positively and negatively on the provision of effective healthcare in expedition medicine.  
Students will look to analyse the role of non-technical skills systems, from a broad range of disciplines, to encourage their utilisation in professional practice to reduce human error in challenging environments.
The module will include a week-long, skills-based residential course run by Endeavour Medical, which will be held in the mountains of Morocco or Spain. 
Two people trekking in the snow, walking away from a mountain at sunrise.
Remote medicine on a mountain
Module code

EMM711

Credits

20

FHEQ Level 

Level 7 – masters degree

Location 

Blended learning approach with face to face delivery at °µÍø½âÃÜ 

Module details

This module is suitable for any healthcare professional looking to gain an understanding of the role of human factors when working as a clinician in a remote, wilderness or expedition setting.
Learning outcomes
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and a critical understanding of what human factors are and an awareness of how non-technical skills can improve healthcare provision and systems. 
  • Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding of risk in health systems (conventional and remote) and methods of mitigation. 
  • Demonstrate ability to think, learn and act proactively and reactively to adverse incidents, record, report and debrief incidents in health systems. 
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and interpret a range of evidence from wider disciplines (including aviation) in order to integrate non-technical skills methodology into decision making within healthcare provision and systems.
  • Critically examine the role of human factors in improving culture and delivering psychological safety within systems. 
Summary of module content
  • Professional competencies: Chartered institute for human factors and ergonomics.
  • Practical applications: Applying non-technical skills in health systems.
  • Risk and error: Exploring concepts of hazards, risk and human error. How to plan for and mitigate against risk 
  • Culture and human factors: Understanding how human factors affects culture and psychology in systems. 
  • How to optimise safety through human factors in remote and extreme environments. 
  • Learning from other sectors: Understanding what we can learn from other industries including aviation and expedition industry in safety of flying, avalanche and mountain safety and how to apply this to health systems in urban and remote settings 
  • Practical training in human factors and risk in extreme locations. 
This module is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and simulation based practical sessions during an international residential. The teaching is supplemented with self-directed learning and supported tutorials, culminating in the completion of a written assignment.

Admissions information 

Additional information and documentation required for the application process.
  • Application forms. 
  • Change of name forms.
  • Pre-course information.
  • Downloadable guides.
  • Student card.
Admissions information Additional information and documentation required for the application process.Access to application forms, download guides and confirmation information. Visit our admissions homepage.

Module dates

Provisional dates for 2026-27: 9, 10 March, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 April 2027 
The module is run in two blocks; the first block is an introduction to the theory of human factors, and the second block is a skills-based residential in either Spain or Morocco, run by Endeavour Medical.
Occasionally, delivery dates might be subject to change – always check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit. Please be aware that all modules run to minimum numbers. In the event that there are low numbers, this module may be rescheduled to an alternative date. Some modules are also subject to maximum numbers.

Entry requirements

You will normally be a healthcare professional with a first degree or a related academic degree. BSc (Hons) at 2:1 or above, or European first cycle equivalent. Clinicians who achieved a lower grade from their first degree or without a degree but with appropriate experience may still be eligible to apply. Overseas students require an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.  
The international residential course is a compulsory element of this module. Applicants must therefore have a reasonable level of fitness, suitable for working in mountains at altitude, and will need to hold a passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of the November residential.   

Fees

The fees for this module are £2,230 in 2026-27.

Module lead

The lead for this module is Dr Lucy Obolensky

Useful links

Green figure with heartbeat image

You can contact the Professional Development Unit with any queries

Prospective student enquiries:
Current student enquiries:
Professional Development Unit, Floor 9, InterCity Place, Faculty of Health, °µÍø½âÃÜ, °µÍø½âÃÜ PL4 6AB
Monday – Thursday 08:30–17:00 and Friday 08:30–16:30