Entrustable professional activities framework for assessment in predoctoral dental education, developed using a modified Delphi process

Abstract

Purpose/objectives The purpose of this study was to define and develop a set of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for dental education using a modified Delphi consensus approach. EPAs define the core tasks that a graduating dentist needs to perform independently in practice. The EPA framework facilitates assessment of competencies as they manifest in the tasks and independence needed to be ready for practice. Methods Feedback was obtained from participants about a list of EPAs, with modifications made after each of the 3 rounds, using a modified Delphi approach. Phase 1 included attendees at the ADEA Fall 2017 meeting (n = 35) who participated in an EPA workshop primarily composed of academic deans. The Phase 2 “reactor panel” consisted of 10 dental schools’ academic deans and other individuals with expertise and interest in dental curriculum and assessment (n = 31). Phase 3 participants were attendees at the ADEA CCI 2019 meeting (n = 91) who also participated in a 2‐day EPA workshop. Results In phase 1, overall ratings for acceptability of the EPAs were satisfactory. In phase 2, the next iteration of EPAs was judged as satisfactory for inclusion in curriculum, match well with clinical practice and clarity. In phase 3, the EPAs were judged as satisfactory for being an “entrustable, essential, and important task of the profession.” Qualitative feedback suggested wording, measurability, and specific focus of EPA statements is important. Conclusions A preliminary set of EPAs was designed for predoctoral dental education through a systematic, careful consensus building approach involving a diverse set of participants.

Entrustable professional activities in nursing education: a scoping review protocol

“…Even though EPAs have gained popularity in health professions such as, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical education and global health, it is unclear how much has been proposed in this form for academic nursing programmes. [8][9][10][11][12][13] The most well known of these are the North American Quality and Safety Education in Nursing project, which proposed two groups of competencies for nurses from undergraduate and postgraduate level education as proto-EPAs; as well as the development of EPAs in a Delphi study for application in nursing telehealth in the Netherlands. 14 15 When developing higher education programmes for nursing qualification, it is important to note that nursing trainees have to be fully equipped from the time they begin their professional careers to care for patients of various age groups, conditions, as well as in different settings.…”

“…Even though EPAs have gained popularity in health professions such as, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical education and global health, it is unclear how much has been proposed in this form for academic nursing programmes 8–13. The most well known of these are the North American Quality and Safety Education in Nursing project, which proposed two groups of competencies for nurses from undergraduate and postgraduate level education as proto-EPAs; as well as the development of EPAs in a Delphi study for application in nursing telehealth in the Netherlands 14 15…”

Oral anesthesia manikin training reduces student anxiety and builds local anesthesia delivery skills: A pilot study

“…Manikins provide a highly realistic experiential space for students to improve technique. Among EPA assessable criteria developed for predoctoral dental education is patient pain management through techniques including local anesthesia 5 . As part of their clinical training, select dental hygiene programs by state allowance also train students in the delivery of intraoral anesthesia.…”

“…Among EPA assessable criteria developed for predoctoral dental education is patient pain management through techniques including local anesthesia. 5 As part of their clinical training, select dental hygiene programs by state allowance also train students in the delivery of intraoral anesthesia. Local anesthesia delivery encompasses armamentarium comfort, technique comfort, and knowledge of anatomy.…”

A literature review: Entrustable professional activities, an assessment tool for postgraduate dental training?

“…An EPA framework is described as EPAs encompassing several competency domains, with multiple competencies within in each EPA, mapped to milestones in the training programme, and adapted to relate to patient outcomes (Figure 1) [1,29].…”