The patient perspective in human factors, improving patient experience in the radiology department and patient-centred simulation were among the key topics discussed at the fifth National Human Factors in Patient Safety Conference, hosted by RCSI.

The conference, in its fifth year, is organised by RCSI in collaboration with the Human Factors in Patient Safety Alumni Academy. The conference brought an inter-professional community of patient safety advocates exploring the theme of 'People in Patient Safety'.

Keynote speakers included Professor Dara Byrne, National Clinical Lead for Simulation HSE, Professor of Simulation University of Galway, who spoke about patients in simulation-based training.

Professor Tanja Manser, Director of the School of Applied Psychology at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland explored the impact of technology and taking a human factors approach to patient safety.

Dr Geoffrey Ronan, Consultant Interventional Radiologist, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork spoke about improving patient safety in the Radiology department through technology.

Improving patient outcomes

The conference awarded two attendees for their exceptional presentations. First place was awarded to Eoghain Quinn for his presentation 'Interpretation Services as a Human Factor in Patient Safety: A Retrospective Study of Language Access at Tallaght University Hospital' and second place was awarded to Sinead Caroll for her presentation titled 'Improving Early Recognition and Timely Transfer of Deteriorating Patients: A Human Factors Approach'.

Dr Emily O’Dowd, Senior Lecturer in Postgraduate Surgical Education, said: “The fifth National Human Factors in Patient Safety Conference was an exciting display of where we are with the discipline in 2025. I would like to thank our three inspiring keynotes for their contributions, and the engaging discussions that they kickstarted. Congratulations to all from the human factors community who presented their research and showed just how much work is being done on patient safety in healthcare across Ireland and beyond.

“Finally, a huge thank you to the Human Factors Academy committee, Human Factors faculty, and the RCSI Surgical Affairs staff who made the day possible.”

Ms Dara O’Keeffe, Simulation Lead in Postgraduate Surgical Education and Training at RCSI, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many attendees from all areas of healthcare and patient safety to the fifth national Human Factors and Patient Safety Conference. This conference coincides with the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the national human factors training programme, and it was wonderful to see so many of our trainees, alumni of our master's programme, faculty and human factors enthusiasts in attendance.

“Together with our national and international attendees and speakers, and patient advocacy representatives, we discussed and debated many key issues. Chief amongst these were how to involve the patient and frontline healthcare workers in the design of safety systems and training to improve patient outcomes.”

Learn more about our MSc and PgDip in Human Factors in Patient Safety here.