Assessment Considerations for Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2018 Apr 1;118(4):243-251. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2018.049.

Abstract

Context: In the process of analyzing entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for use in medical education, ten Cate and others identified challenges, including the need for valid and reliable EPA assessment strategies.

Objective: To provide osteopathic medical schools with a database of assessment tools compiled from the literature to assist them with the development and implementation of robust, evidence-based assessment methods.

Methods: MEDLINE, ERIC, PubMed, and other relevant databases were searched using MeSH keywords for articles outlining robust, evidence-based assessment tools that could be used in designing assessments for EPAs 1 through 6.

Results: A total of 55 publications were included in content analysis and reporting. All but 2 of the assessment articles were conducted in an undergraduate or graduate medical education setting. The majority of the 55 articles related to assessment of competencies affiliated with EPA 2 (16 articles) and EPA 4 (15 articles). Four articles focused on EPA 3.

Conclusion: Osteopathic medical schools can use this database of assessment tools to support the development of EPA-specific assessment plans that match the unique context and needs of their institution.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence*
  • Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
  • Educational Measurement*
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency / standards*
  • Osteopathic Medicine / education*
  • Schools, Medical