Postgraduate Diploma in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics. 8 modules covering IEC 62366-1 (usability engineering for medical devices), IEC/TR 62366-2 (usability application guidance) and Figma. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics — studying from Ireland
Ireland is a significant centre for medical technology and pharmaceuticals, with many international device manufacturers and a strong cluster of biomedical research in Galway, Limerick and Dublin. Biomechanics, wearable sensing and occupational health technologies are developed by companies, hospitals and research institutes such as the National University of Ireland Galway's research groups. Engineers in this area design medical devices, rehabilitation systems and safety monitoring solutions under strict regulatory requirements. Oversight comes from the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Health and Safety Authority.
Fees for Ireland: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Will this qualification be recognised by professional bodies in Ireland for this area?
SEIUM's qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and they are not accredited by any national body. Recognition is decided by individual employers or the relevant body. In Ireland, engineers in this field may look to Engineers Ireland for professional membership, but completing a SEIUM programme does not by itself grant membership of any body. Check requirements directly with the body concerned before enrolling.
How might this training be used by employers in Ireland working in this area?
Employers in Ireland decide for themselves how much weight to give a private online qualification. Many assess it alongside your existing experience, the final project and your portfolio. Roles in medical devices, occupational health and workplace safety may value specialist knowledge, but there is no guarantee of recognition or of any salary or promotion outcome. Ask prospective employers whether they would accept the qualification.
Can I study this alongside a full-time job, and does my employer need to fund it?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home at your own pace around work. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly commitment accordingly. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible if your company agrees. Each student is assigned a technical tutor for support.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply the usability engineering process of IEC 62366-1.
Plan user research with patients and clinical professionals.
Carry out heuristic evaluations and cognitive walkthroughs.
Design clinical interfaces that reduce use errors.
Prototype and run iterative formative evaluations.
Design and document a summative validation.
Maintain usability throughout the product lifecycle.
Who it's for
- Healthcare usability engineer wishing to specialise in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics.
- Clinical software UX designer wishing to specialise in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics.
- Human factors specialist wishing to specialise in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics.
- User researcher wishing to specialise in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics.
- Medical device interface designer wishing to specialise in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics.
- Summative validation consultant wishing to specialise in Patient/Clinician-Centred Design and Heuristics.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter health technology.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62366-1 (usability engineering for medical devices)
- IEC/TR 62366-2 (usability application guidance)
- IEC 60601-1-6 (usability of medical electrical equipment)
- ANSI/AAMI HE75 (human factors engineering)
- ISO 9241-210 (user-centred design)
- ISO 9241-110 (interaction principles)
- FDA guidance on human factors and usability engineering (2016)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Human factors in health technology1.2Use errors and adverse events1.3Users: patients, carers and clinicians1.4Use environments: hospital, home and ambulance1.5The IEC 62366-1 process1.6Intended use specification and user profiles1.7Critical tasks and hazard scenarios1.8Relationship with ISO 14971 risk management1.9FDA human factors guidance1.10Case study: analysis of an infusion pump programming error
2.1Contextual interviews on the ward2.2Observation of clinical workflows2.3Patient journey maps2.4Personas and scenarios2.5Hierarchical task analysis2.6Workload and interruptions2.7Health and digital literacy2.8Accessibility and reduced capabilities2.9Synthesis of findings2.10Practice: task analysis of a blood glucose meter
3.1Nielsen's heuristics3.2Zhang's heuristics for medical devices3.3Cognitive walkthrough3.4PCA analysis of perception, cognition and action3.5Problem severity classification3.6Evaluation of labelling and instructions3.7Review of alarms and alerts3.8Consistency between devices in the environment3.9Heuristic evaluation report3.10Workshop: heuristic evaluation of a vital signs monitor
4.1Information architecture for clinicians4.2Visualisation of physiological data4.3Form design and dose entry4.4Error prevention and confirmations4.5Touchscreens used with gloves4.6Interface design for older patients4.7Plain language and ISO 15223-1 pictograms4.8Home interfaces and remote monitoring4.9Design systems for healthcare software4.10Practice: prescription screen prototype
5.1Low- and high-fidelity prototypes5.2Clinical simulation to evaluate designs5.3Formative usability tests5.4Think-aloud5.5Metrics: effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction5.6SUS and NASA-TLX scales5.7Participant sampling5.8Root cause analysis of use errors5.9Design iteration5.10Laboratory: formative test with five users
6.1Purpose of the summative evaluation6.2Protocol and critical tasks6.3Sample size per user group6.4Prior training and representative environment6.5Data collection and video6.6Classification of errors and difficulties6.7Residual risk analysis6.8Usability engineering report6.9FDA and MDR requirements6.10Case study: summative validation plan for an auto-injector
7.1Integration with design controls7.2Usability of clinical AI software7.3Post-market surveillance and use complaints7.4Design changes and re-evaluation7.5Usability in high-pressure environments7.6Inclusive design and equity7.7Document management of the usability file7.8Training design teams7.9Notified body audits7.10Practice: complaint review to detect use errors
8.1Device selection and context8.2User research8.3Critical task analysis8.4Heuristic evaluation8.5Interface redesign8.6Formative test8.7Summative validation plan8.8Usability engineering file8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Figma, Axure RP, Tobii Pro Lab, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real usability laboratory procedures with a simulated clinical environment, heuristic evaluations with experts, and formative and summative tests with representative users. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Apply the usability engineering process of IEC 62366-1.
Plan user research with patients and clinical professionals.
Carry out heuristic evaluations and cognitive walkthroughs.
Design clinical interfaces that reduce use errors.
Prototype and run iterative formative evaluations.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Figma, Axure RP, Tobii Pro Lab, Lookback, Optimal Workshop. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An in-house diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed on a course or diploma in the same area can be recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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