How much is enough? Proposing achievement thresholds for core EPAs of graduating medical students in Canada

Abstract

Purpose The transition towards Competency-Based Medical Education at the Cumming School of Medicine was accelerated by the reduced clinical time caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to define a standard protocol for setting Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA) achievement thresholds and examine their feasibility within the clinical clerkship. Methods Achievement thresholds for each of the 12 AFMC EPAs for graduating Canadian medical students were set by using sequential rounds of revision by three consecutive groups of stakeholders and evaluation experts. Structured communication was guided by a modified Delphi technique. The feasibility/consequence models of these EPAs were then assessed by tracking their completion by the graduating class of 2021. Results The threshold-setting process resulted in set EPA achievement levels ranging from 1 to 8 across the 12 AFMC EPAs. Estimates were stable after the first round for 9 of 12 EPAs. 96.27% of EPAs were successfully completed by clerkship students despite the shortened clinical period. Feasibility was predicted by the slowing rate of EPA accumulation overtime during the clerkship. Conclusion The process described led to consensus on EPA achievement thresholds. Successful completion of the assigned thresholds was feasible within the shortened clerkship. Practice points The modified Delphi technique is a feasible methodology that can be used to propose achievement thresholds for all 12 EPAs for graduating undergraduate medical students. Recommended achievement thresholds for each EPA ranged from 1 (e.g. ‘Participate in health quality improvement initiatives’) to 8 (e.g. ‘Obtain a history and perform a physical examination adapted to the patient’s clinical situation’).