A primer on entrustable professional activities

Korean J Med Educ. 2018 Mar;30(1):1-10. doi: 10.3946/kjme.2018.76. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Abstract

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) have become a popular topic within competency-based medical education programs in many countries and hundreds of publications within only a few years. This paper was written to introduce the ins and outs of EPAs. After a brief historical overview, the rational of EPAs, as a bridge between a competency framework and daily clinical practice, is explained. Next, entrustment decision-making as a form of assessment is elaborated and framework of levels of supervision is presented. For readers interested to apply the concept in practice a stepwise approach to curriculum development is proposed. The paper concludes with an overview of the state of the art of working with EPAs in across disciplines, professions and countries.

Keywords: Competency; Curriculum; Entrustable professional activities; Medical education; Clinical practice.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence / standards*
  • Competency-Based Education*
  • Curriculum
  • Decision Making
  • Delivery of Health Care / standards*
  • Education, Medical*
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate
  • Educational Measurement
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency
  • Job Description*
  • Physicians
  • Trust