Clarifying terminologies related to entrustable professional activities and entrustment decision-making

Abstract

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and entrustment decision-making have become common language in competency-based education in the health professions. Since its introduction, several other related concepts have been introduced, which has made it more complex to get an overview of the domain. This chapter sets out to discuss OPAs (observable practice activities), EPA specifications, nested EPAs, core EPAs versus elective EPAs, transdisciplinary EPAs, Practice Activities as used by the WHO, retrospective versus prospective entrustment-supervision scales, STARs (statements of awarded responsibility), microcredentials, and hospital privileging. The concepts are defined and elaborated with examples.