Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements best describes the science of human factors?

1. It is applied to address problems by modifying the design of the system to better aid the people in it.

2. It is about eliminating human error.

3. It consists of a set of principles that can be learned during training.

4. It represents the intersection of medicine and engineering.

The correct answer is: It is applied to address problems by modifying the design of the system to better aid the people in it.

The statement that best describes the science of human factors is that it is applied to address problems by modifying the design of the system to better aid the people in it. This perspective is central to human factors engineering, which emphasizes the importance of understanding how people interact with various systems, tools, and environments. By focusing on optimizing the design of these systems, human factors science aims to enhance usability, improve performance, and reduce the risk of errors. The goal of human factors is not solely to eliminate human error, but rather to create systems that anticipate human capabilities and limitations. While it's true that human factors can contribute to reducing errors, the broader scope involves enhancing overall system design to make it more effective and user-friendly. Furthermore, while there are principles within human factors that can be learned through training, the essence of the field lies in practical application rather than solely theoretical knowledge. It also spans beyond just training into a comprehensive approach that involves research, design, and iterative improvement. Lastly, while there is an intersection of medicine and engineering in human factors, the science itself is broader, encompassing psychology, sociology, and design fields, thereby focusing on how to create systems that work better for human users in various contexts.