Physiatry Specific EPA/OPA Project-EPA for Residency Training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

EPA for Residency Training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

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The article outlines the development and validation of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). EPAs are defined as observable units of professional practice, serving as a bridge between competency-based medical education and clinical practice. A subcommittee from the Association of Academic Physiatrists Education Committee identified essential EPAs for PM&R residency programs using a modified Delphi process. <br /><br />Nineteen final EPAs were established after validation by residency program directors. EPAs aim to enhance resident assessment by focusing on entrustment decisions related to supervision levels needed for safe activity completion. This framework allows more intuitive evaluations and helps determine when a resident is ready for increased independence.<br /><br />The research underscores that residency programs must evaluate progress to identify struggling learners, close knowledge gaps, and ensure patient safety. Competency-based education provides a learning framework, while EPAs offer practical assessment tools that integrate multiple competencies needed in clinical practice.<br /><br />EPAs encompass a range of activities, including patient management with musculoskeletal, neurological, and chronic pain conditions, conducting electrodiagnostic consultations, leading interdisciplinary teams, and managing healthcare system navigation. They are not meant to introduce new content but are derived from existing training guidelines and examination outlines.<br /><br />This study presents 19 validated EPAs as key clinical activities expected of a PM&R physician, highlighting their practical role in evaluating residents. While EPAs facilitate a comprehensive assessment framework, particularly in clinical settings, the article notes the challenges and potential future directions, such as developing observable practice activities and integrating them into residency programs more broadly.

Keywords

Entrustable Professional Activities

EPAs

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

PM&R residency

competency-based education

resident assessment

clinical practice

interdisciplinary teams

patient management

healthcare system navigation