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University of Exeter Medical School

Human Factors - Situational Awareness

Module titleHuman Factors - Situational Awareness
Module codeHPDM102
Academic year2021/2
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Malcolm Hilton (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

6

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

Module description

Delivery of medicine in remote and extreme environments usually involves elements of challenge that are not experienced in conventional medical paradigms. The challenges are particularly evident in managing disaster and humanitarian relief projects and medical staff frequently assume a leadership role beyond delivery of medical care. The challenges which lead to breakdown of team dynamics and situational awareness are pressures of time, complexity and uncertainty.

This module develops your skill in evaluating the human factor challenges you will find yourself facing in remote and extreme environments.

Module aims - intentions of the module

You will acquire an in-depth understanding of the key aspects relating to how different personality types interact and function, with specific reference to and reflection on your own personality. An understanding of team roles, dynamics and leadership styles will be developed through a combination of academic study and practical experience. The focus of the module will be a weekend residential course employing a range of activities, exercises and challenges to stimulate discussion and foster reflection on personality, team interaction and situational awareness through practical experience and applied involvement.  

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Describe in detail a range of personality types and traits.
  • 2. Discuss and deliberate different team and leadership styles and evaluate circumstances where specific styles and roles are beneficial/detrimental.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Explain clearly patterns of behaviour and interaction arising when teams face adversity or uncertainty.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Develop critical self-reflection of your own behaviour and actions.
  • 5. Develop skills for delivering effective and constructive feedback, and critically reflect on feedback received.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module's precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows: 

Personality profiling, styles

Leadership styles

Team roles and dynamics

Situational awareness

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
307248

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities30Scenario and task based team activities and debrief
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities4848 hour residential weekend at Outdoor activity centre in remote location eg. Dartmoor
Guided independent study72Guided independent study includes preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, revision, etc.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Facilitator led discussion analysing group actions and interactions 1 hour2-5Verbal, personal reflection and peer feedback
Critical reflection on own personality type and leadership style1000 words1,2,5Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Analysis of residential course activities, outcomes and personal learning1002000 words1-5Written
0
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Critical reflection on own personality type and leadership style (20%)Critical reflection on own personality type and leadership style (1000 words)1,2,5Typically within six weeks of the result
Analysis of residential course activities, outcomes and personal learning (80%)Analysis of residential course activities, outcomes and personal learning (4000 words)1-5Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE –http://as.exeter.ac.uk/it/systems/ele

Key words search

Extreme medicine, personality, leadership, human factors

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

N/A

Module co-requisites

N/A

NQF level (module)

7.5

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/04/2016

Last revision date

19/09/2019