Competency-Based Education and Entrustable Professional Activities

Abstract

Competency-based education presents challenges in the management of competency attainment, validation, and documentation, especially in clinical education arenas. One approach to competency management is the use of "entrustable professional activities" (EPAs), which are units of professional practice that break down competencies into tasks that students are expected to perform, to equip them to practice safely and independently. Entrustable professional activities can be complex and difficult to manage. An electronic clinical tracking system with an EPA platform provides clarity and targeted outcomes to direct both students and preceptors on what is expected during clinical education, and allows faculty to monitor student progress and facilitate the generation of outcome reports that align with internal and external requirements.

A Tool to Teach and Assess Clinical Nurse Specialist Student Prescribing Competency

“…10,11 The EPA is growing in popularity in NP education to evaluate NP student learning objectives. 12,13 The EPA is used to connect competencies to practice. Using a written set of competencies, a supervising mentor evaluates student knowledge and actions in meeting competencies to determine one's level of needed supervision.…”

“…The EPA evaluation method has a long-time tradition in medical education and residents in training by closing the gap between education and real-time patient care 10,11 . The EPA is growing in popularity in NP education to evaluate NP student learning objectives 12,13 …”