Mr. de Raad : Physician Assistant and Educator, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.Dr. Wiersma : Staff Member of the MSc Physician Assistant Program at the University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Dr. Kuilman : Program Manager of the MSc Physician Assistant Program at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands, and Adjunct Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Health and Human Service, Northern Arizona University, Phoenix BMC, AZ. Dr. ten Cate : Professor of Medical Education and Senior Scientist, Utrecht Center for Research and Development of Health Professions Education, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2023 Jan 1;43(1):28-33. doi: 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000467. Epub 2022 Dec 21.
Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are used during training but may also have significance after graduation. This domain has not yet been much explored. We investigated the use of EPAs among alumni of Master Physician Assistant programs in the Netherlands, where EPAs have been used since 2010. We aim to describe if and how EPAs have a role after graduation. Are EPAs used for continuous entrustment decisions or when shifting work settings?
In September 2020, all registered Dutch physician assistants (PAs) ( n = 1441) were invited to participate in a voluntary, anonymous survey focusing on the use of EPAs after graduation. Survey items included questions regarding the use and usefulness of EPAs, views on continuous entrustment decisions, and how PAs document their competence.
A total of 421 PAs (response rate 29%) yielded information about the significance of EPAs after training. Among the respondents, 60% ( n = 252) reported adding new competencies and skills after graduation. One-third ( n = 120) of the respondents were trained in EPA-based programs. Almost all EPA-trained PAs (96%; n = 103) considered the EPA structure suitable to maintain and renew entrustment. Furthermore, PAs reported continued use of the EPA framework to seek formal qualifications through entrustment decisions.
This study shows that EPAs can play an ongoing role for PAs after graduation. EPA-trained PAs overwhelmingly support the continuous use of the EPA framework for entrustment decisions from graduation until retirement.
可委托专业活动（EPAs）在培训期间使用，但在毕业后也可能具有重要意义。这个领域尚未得到充分探索。我们调查了荷兰硕士医师助理课程的校友使用 EPAs 的情况，自 2010 年以来，荷兰一直在使用 EPAs。我们旨在描述 EPAs 在毕业后是否以及如何发挥作用。EPAs 是否用于持续的委托决策或工作环境发生变化时？
2020 年 9 月，邀请所有注册的荷兰医师助理（PA）（n=1441）参加一项自愿的、匿名的调查，重点是毕业后 EPAs 的使用情况。调查项目包括有关 EPAs 使用和有用性、对持续委托决策的看法以及 PA 如何记录其能力的问题。
共有 421 名 PA（回应率 29%）提供了培训后 EPAs 重要性的信息。在受访者中，60%（n=252）报告毕业后增加了新的能力和技能。三分之一（n=120）的受访者接受了基于 EPA 的培训计划。几乎所有接受 EPA 培训的 PA（96%；n=103）都认为 EPA 结构适合维持和更新委托。此外，PA 报告继续使用 EPA 框架通过委托决策寻求正式资格。
这项研究表明，EPAs 可以在毕业后为 PA 继续发挥作用。接受 EPA 培训的 PA 绝大多数支持在毕业后直至退休期间持续使用 EPA 框架进行委托决策。
