TY - JOUR T1 - Response to separating fact from opinion: a response to ‘the science of human factors: separating fact from fiction’ JF - BMJ Quality & Safety JO - BMJ Qual Saf SP - 964 LP - 966 DO - 10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002125 VL - 22 IS - 11 AU - Alissa L Russ AU - Laura G Militello AU - Jason J Saleem AU - Rollin J Fairbanks AU - Robert L Wears Y1 - 2013/11/01 UR - http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/22/11/964.2.abstract N2 - We would like to thank Dr Baysari1 for extending the discussion of our article, ‘The science of human factors: separating fact from fiction’.2 We appreciate the opportunity to respond. Dr Baysari raises an excellent point in that some authors using the term ‘human factors’ may not intend to align their work with human factors science. This is likely the case. Our concern, however, is not with the intent, but the resulting misunderstandings. Although broad use of the term appears innocuous initially, we have found that it creates real confusion. Use of the term ‘human factors’ to describe any and all factors related to human behaviour creates the impression that human factors methods and models have been applied when they have not. Certainly, studies of communication style or personality types may have a positive impact on the healthcare practice. Nonetheless, the use of human factors language in these studies is misleading. A second important point for discussion is a … ER -