List of Publications by Department for the Academic Year International Delphi study on developing entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for master’s learners in health professions education
Abstract
Background Competencies-based education has gained global recognition, emphasizing the need for educators to
align educational outcomes with healthcare system requirements. However, limited literature exists on competency
frameworks and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) specific to health professions educationists, hindering the
development of tailored Master’s programs.
Aim This study aimed to develop a competency framework outlining the roles and functions for Master’s learners
in Health Professions Education (MHPE) and identify the key EPAs that form the foundation of a task-based MHPE
curriculum, along with the expected levels of entrustment.
Methods An international Delphi study was conducted involving three rounds of surveys and qualitative discussions
with an expert panel of health professions educationists from diverse contexts (n=29). The Delphi technique,
including open-ended and quantitative rating scales, was employed to reach consensus on the EPAs and their levels
of entrustment. The final list of EPAs was validated using the EQual rubric.
Results A total of 16 EPAs were identified and validated, mapped to core and potential roles and functions of health
professions educationists. There is less agreement on the level of entrustment that should be attained at the master
level, resulting in EPAs that must be fully entrusted before graduation and others which need further development
afterwards.
Conclusion The study presents a comprehensive competency framework and a set of EPAs tailored for MHPE
programs, providing a structured approach to curriculum design and learner assessment. The findings underscore the
importance of incorporating context-specific considerations and aligning educational objectives with the evolving
roles and responsibilities of health professions educationists.
Journal/Conference Information
BMC Medical Education,DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06377-z, ISSN: ISSN: 1472-6920, Volume: 24, Issue: 1, Pages Range: 1-12,