Creation of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in obstetrics and gynecology for medical undergraduate students

Abstract

Introduction: This article features “Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)” in the Obstetrics and Gynecology field designed for medical undergraduates, aiming to support the teaching/learning process. Objective: The aim is for the graduate to be competent to meet the minimum requirements necessary for the student in this field. Method: In this study, EPAs were created based on an international template already in use and validated using the Delphi technique. The structuring of the EPAs was based on the international literature: “Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency: Curriculum Developer’s Guide” from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The content for the topics of each EPA was based on the publication “The Obstetrics and Gynecology Milestone Project” from the joint action of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). Results: Thirteen EPAs were created with topics for teaching in that field during undergraduate school. A checklist was created for each EPA, aiming to guide the evaluator and the student regarding the performance of the tasks defined in the EPAs. Conclusion: The EPAs with checklists bring an innovative proposal for Obstetrics and Gynecology teaching in medical graduation since they facilitate and operationalize the learning, the development, and the observation of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the performance of each topic in the area, thus helping the training of a competent professional. At the end of the medical course, the ability to perform all EPAs identifies a competent graduate in Gynecology and Obstetrics regarding the general practitioner.