scholarly journals Can Teachers Distinguish Competencies From Entrustable Professional Activities?

PRiMER ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Broussenko ◽  
Sarah Burns ◽  
Fok-Han Leung ◽  
Diana Toubassi

Introduction: There has been a recent transition from the use of “competencies” to “entrustable professional activities” (EPAs) in medical education assessment paradigms. Although this transition proceeds apace, few studies have examined these concepts in a practical context. Our study sought to examine how distinct the concepts of competencies and EPAs were to front-line clinical educators.  Methods: A 20-item survey tool was developed based on the University of Calgary Department of Family Medicine’s publicly available lists of competencies and EPAs. This tool required participants to identify given items as either a competency or an EPA, after reading a description of each. The tool was administered to a convenience sample of consenting clinical educators at 5 of the 14 training sites at the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine in 2018. We also collected information on years in practice, hours spent supervising per week, and direct involvement in medical education.  Results: We analyzed a total of 60 surveys. The mean rate of correct responses was 45.3% (+/- 21.8%). Subgroup analysis failed to reveal any correlation between any of the secondary characteristics and correct responses. Conclusion: Clinical educators in our study were not able to distinguish between competencies and EPAs. Further research is recommended prior to intensive curricular changes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237428952110417
Author(s):  
Bronwyn H. Bryant

Entrustable professional activities are an intuitive form of workplace-based assessment that can support competency-based medical education. Many entrustable professional activities have been written and published, but few studies describe the feasibility or implementation of entrustable professional activities in graduate medical education. The frozen section entrustable professional activit was introduced into the pathology residency training at the University of Vermont for postgraduate year 1 at the start of their training in frozen section. The feasibility of the entrustable professional activit was evaluated based on 3 criteria: (a) utilization, (b) support of frozen section training, and (c) generating data to support entrustment decision about residents’ readiness to take call. The entrustable professional activit was well utilized and satisfactory to residents, faculty, pathologists’ assistants, and Clinical Competency Committee members. Most members of the Clinical Competency Committee agreed they had sufficient data and noted higher confidence in assessing resident readiness to take call with the addition of entrustable professional activit to the residents’ assessment portfolio. Residents did not endorse it helped them prepare for call; however, the interruption to frozen section training due to the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant contributing factor. The frozen section entrustable professional activit is a feasible addition to pathology resident training based on utilization, support of training, and generation of data to support entrustment decisions for graduated responsibilities. The implementation and integration of the entrustable professional activit into pathology training at our institution is described with discussion of adjustments for future use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13
Author(s):  
Victoria David ◽  
Michael Walsh ◽  
Jocelyn Lockyer ◽  
Marcy Mintz

AbstractThe Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada introduced Competence by Design (CBD) as an educational model along with Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) as markers of achievement that could be directly observed on a frequent basis. In 2017, the University of Calgary Internal Medicine (IM) program piloted CBD. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess whether written feedback from EPAs were actionable, valuable, and disruptive to workflow and (2) assess the time required to complete an EPA. MethodsSeven Foundations of Discipline EPAs were used with 31 PGY-1 Calgary IM residents. The study used quantitative and qualitative data. Following a discussion on an EPA and completion of both the quantitative and written feedback, residents were asked to comment on the value of the encounter and the degree of disruption to workflow. Assessors provided time to complete an EPA. Data were anonymized. Trainee comments were coded for value and disruption, and assessor’s written feedback was coded for actionability. ResultsOne hundred and five EPA encounters were submitted. The majority of the comments provided to trainees were not actionable (94.3%, n = 99/105). While most residents did not comment on value (73.3%, n = 77/105) or disruption (44.8%, n = 47/105) of the encounter, those that did generally found the encounters valuable (25.7%, n = 27/105) and nondisruptive (35.2%, n = 37/105). A minority found the process nonvaluable (1%, n = 1/105) and disruptive (20%, n = 21/105). The mean time to complete an EPA form and provide feedback was 8.6 min. ConclusionMost written feedback was not actionable, suggesting a potential role for faculty development to guide assessors and help them coach trainees on EPAs.   RÉSUMÉLe Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada a introduit la compétence par conception (CPC) comme modèle d’enseignement, ainsi que les activités professionnelles confiables (APC) comme marqueurs de réussite qui pourraient être observés directement et souvent. En 2017, le programme de médecine interne (MI) de l’Université de Calgary a testé la CPC. L’objectif de cette étude était : 1) d’évaluer si la rétroaction écrite des APC était exploitable, utile et perturbatrice pour le déroulement du travail; 2) d’évaluer le temps nécessaire pour mener à bien une APC. MéthodesSept APC d’acquisition des fondements de la discipline ont été utilisées chez 31 résidents de première année en MI de l’Université de Calgary. L’étude a utilisé des données quantitatives et qualitatives. Après avoir discuté d’une APC et terminé la rétroaction quantitative et écrite, les résidents ont été invités à faire des commentaires sur l’utilité de la rencontre et le degré de perturbation du déroulement du travail. Les évaluateurs ont accordé du temps pour compléter une APC. Les données ont été anonymisées. Les commentaires des stagiaires ont été codés en fonction de l’utilité et du degré de perturbation, et la rétroaction écrite des évaluateurs a été codée en fonction de l’exploitabilité. RésultatsAu total, 105 rencontres d’APC ont été soumises. La majorité des commentaires fournis aux stagiaires n’étaient pas exploitables (94,3 %, n = 99/105). Bien que la plupart des résidents n’aient pas fait de commentaires sur l’utilité (73,3 %, n = 77/105) ou la perturbation (44,8 %, n = 47/105) de la rencontre, ceux qui l’ont fait ont généralement trouvé les rencontres très utiles (25,7 %, n = 27/105) et non perturbatrices (35,2 %, n = 37/105). Une minorité a trouvé le processus inutile (1 %, n = 1/105) et perturbateur (20 %, n = 21/105). Le temps moyen pour remplir un formulaire d’APC et fournir une rétroaction était de 8,6 minutes. ConclusionLa plupart des rétroactions écrites n’étaient pas exploitables, ce qui suggère un rôle que pourrait jouer le perfectionnement du corps professoral afin de guider les évaluateurs et de les aider à encadrer les stagiaires qui effectuent les APC.


2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Edwards ◽  
S. Verma ◽  
R. Zulla

Prevalence of stress-related mental health problems in residents is equal to, or greater than, the general population. Medical training has been identified as the most significant negative influence on resident mental health. At the same time, residents possess inadequate stress management and general wellness skills and poor help-seeking behaviours. Unique barriers prevent residents from self-identifying and seeking assistance. Stress management programs in medical education have been shown to decrease subjective distress and increase wellness and coping skills. The University of Toronto operates the largest postgraduate medical training program in the country. The Director of Resident Wellness position was created in the Postgraduate Medical Education Office to develop a systemic approach to resident wellness that facilitates early detection and intervention of significant stress related problems and promote professionalism. Phase One of this new initiative has been to highlight its presence to residents and program directors by speaking to resident wellness issues at educational events. Resources on stress management, professional services, mental health, and financial management have been identified and posted on the postgraduate medical education website and circulated to program directors. Partnerships have been established with physician health professionals, the University of Toronto, and the Professional Association of Residents and Internes of Ontario. Research opportunities for determining prevalence and effective management strategies for stress related problems are being identified and ultimately programs/resources will be implemented to ensure that resident have readily accessible resources. The establishment of a Resident Wellness Strategy from its embryonic stags and the challenges faced are presented as a template for implementing similar programs at other medical schools. Earle L, Kelly L. Coping Strategies, Depression and Anxiety among Ontario Family Medicine Residents. Canadian Family Physician 2005; 51:242-3. Cohen J, Patten S. Well-being in residency training: a survey examining resident physician satisfaction both within and outside of residency training and mental health in Alberta. BMC Medical Education; 5(21). Levey RE. Sources of stress for residents and recommendations for programs to assist them. Academic Med 2001; 70(2):142-150.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237428952199082
Author(s):  
Kristie White ◽  
Julianne Qualtieri ◽  
Elizabeth L. Courville ◽  
Rose C. Beck ◽  
Bachir Alobeid ◽  
...  

Hematopathology fellowship education has grown in complexity as patient-centered treatment plans have come to depend on integration of clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, molecular, and cytogenetic variables. This complexity is in competition with the need for timely hematopathology care with stewardship of patient, laboratory, and societal resources. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones provide a guidance document for hematopathology training, but fellows and their educators are in need of a simple framework that allows assessment and feedback of growth toward independent hematopathology practice. Entrustable professional activities provide one such framework, and herein, we provide proposed Hematopathology Fellowship Entrustable Professional Activities based on review of pertinent guidelines and literature, with multiple rounds of expert and stakeholder input utilizing a modified mini-Delphi approach. Ten core entrustable professional activities deemed essential for graduating hematopathology fellows were developed together with skills and knowledge statements, example scenarios, and corresponding Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones. Application of these entrustable professional activities in program design, fellow evaluation, and decisions regarding level of supervision is discussed with consideration of benefits and barriers to implementation. These entrustable professional activities may be used by hematopathology fellowship directors and faculty to provide fellows with timely constructive feedback, determine entrustment decisions, provide the Clinical Competency Committee with granular data to support Milestone evaluations, and provide insight into areas of potential improvement in fellowship training. Fellows will benefit from a clear roadmap to independent hematopathology practice with concrete and timely feedback.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 237428951771428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy B. McCloskey ◽  
Ronald E. Domen ◽  
Richard M. Conran ◽  
Robert D. Hoffman ◽  
Miriam D. Post ◽  
...  

Competency-based medical education has evolved over the past decades to include the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Accreditation System of resident evaluation based on the Milestones project. Entrustable professional activities represent another means to determine learner proficiency and evaluate educational outcomes in the workplace and training environment. The objective of this project was to develop entrustable professional activities for pathology graduate medical education encompassing primary anatomic and clinical pathology residency training. The Graduate Medical Education Committee of the College of American Pathologists met over the course of 2 years to identify and define entrustable professional activities for pathology graduate medical education. Nineteen entrustable professional activities were developed, including 7 for anatomic pathology, 4 for clinical pathology, and 8 that apply to both disciplines with 5 of these concerning laboratory management. The content defined for each entrustable professional activity includes the entrustable professional activity title, a description of the knowledge and skills required for competent performance, mapping to relevant Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestone subcompetencies, and general assessment methods. Many critical activities that define the practice of pathology fit well within the entrustable professional activity model. The entrustable professional activities outlined by the Graduate Medical Education Committee are meant to provide an initial framework for the development of entrustable professional activity–related assessment and curricular tools for pathology residency training.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 026-030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Sharma ◽  
Nadeem Tanveer ◽  
Aditi Goyal

Abstract INTRODUCTION: During the past decade, there has been a paradigm shift in medical education from the problem-based learning to competency-based training. This has forced a rethink on the way we evaluate the residents and finally give them the right to handle patients independently. This study makes the first attempt towards designing competency-based training program for pathology residents by formulating the entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for the 1st year pathology residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire comprising 18 potential EPAs in histopathology and 12 potential EPAs in cytology were circulated among the residents of Pathology Department. The respondents were asked to grade the EPAs on a scale of 0–4 based on how important they considered that activity as EPA. The cumulative score of each EPA was divided by the number of respondents to arrive at the average score. The EPAs with an average score of 3 or more qualified to be shortlisted as consensus EPAs. RESULTS: Five activities each of histopathology and cytopathology had an average score of 3 or above and were shortlisted as EPAs for the 1st year pathology postgraduates. Each of these was also mapped to their respective competencies. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to restructure the postgraduate pathology curriculum in line with competency-based training. This study is the first step in this direction.


CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S48
Author(s):  
L. Costello ◽  
N. Argintaru ◽  
A. Wong ◽  
R. Simard ◽  
M. Chacko ◽  
...  

Innovation Concept: Emergency medicine (EM) programs have restructured their training using a Competence by Design model. This model emphasizes entrustable professional activities (EPAs) that residents must fulfill before advancing in their training. The first EPA (EPA 1) for the transition to discipline (TTD) stage involves managing the unstable patient. Data from the University of Toronto (U of T) program suggests residents lack enough exposure to these patient presentations during TTD – creating a disconnect between anticipated clinical exposure and the expectation for residents to achieve competence in EPA 1. Methods: To overcome this gap, U of T EM faculty specifically targeted EPA 1 while designing the TTD curriculum. Kern's six-step approach to curriculum development in medical education was used. This six-step approach involves: problem identification, needs assessment, goals and objectives, education strategies, implementation and evaluation. To maximize feasibility of the new curriculum, existing sessions were mapped against EPAs and required training activities to identify synchrony where possible. Residents were scheduled on EM rotations with weekly academic days that included this novel curriculum. Curriculum, Tool or Material: Didactic lectures, procedural workshops and simulation were closely integrated in TTD to address EPA 1. Lectures introduced approaches to cardinal presentations. An interactive workshop introduced ACLS and PALS algorithms and defibrillator use. Three simulation sessions focused on ACLS, shock, airway, trauma and the altered patient. A final simulation session allowed spaced-repetition and integration of these topics. After the completion of TTD, residents participated in a six-scenario simulation OSCE directly assessing EPA 1. Conclusion: The curriculum was evaluated using a multifaceted approach including surveys, self-assessments, faculty feedback and OSCE performance. Overall, the curriculum achieved its goal in addressing EPA 1. It was well-received by faculty and residents. Residents rated the sessions highly, and self-reported improved confidence in assessing unstable patients and adhering to ACLS algorithms. The simulation OSCE demonstrated expected competency by residents in EPA 1. One limitation identified was the lack of a pediatric simulation session which has now been incorporated into the curriculum. Moving forward, this innovative curriculum will undergo continuous cycles of evaluation and improvement with a goal of applying a similar design to other stages of CBD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 894-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene M. Dewey ◽  
Gersten Jonker ◽  
Olle ten Cate ◽  
Teri L. Turner

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-280
Author(s):  
Gregor Reid ◽  
Andrew W. Bruce

The Lister Symposium was held primarily to review the latest concepts of the mechanisms of bacterial infections, and to highlight the research being carried out currently in Toronto and in Canada. The inclusion of several speakers from outside of Toronto added a strong foundation for the meeting.A wide range of topics were addressed and these demonstrated the many areas of research being pursued to better understand the pathogenesis of microbial infections. By drawing together physicians, scientists, and students from a variety of disciplines, it was hoped that the Lister Symposium would contribute, not only to our knowledge of medicine and science in this field, but also to the continued local and national cooperation required for first-class investigative research.This meeting was the first of its kind held under the auspices of the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, demonstrating its commitment to research and interdepartmental collaboration. We are most grateful to Professor Bernard Langer, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, for his support in this regard. The assistance of our sponsors and the Continuing Medical Education Office facilitated a wide outreach and enabled recognition of the course and accreditation for Canadian and American Medical participants. It is hoped that this material will provide a useful reference for future developments in the field.


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