Journal of Regional Medical Campuses

Evaluation of Resident Confidence Performing Entrustable Professional Activities During the First Year of Residency Training

Steven Craig, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Hayden Smith, Ph.D., MD

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines

Julie L. Anderson-Suddarth, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Nicholas J. Galioto, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Corrine M. Ganske, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Larry A. Severidt, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Richard A. Sidwell, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

William John Yost, MD

Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v1i1.1001

Keywords: residents, training, entrustable professional activities (EPAs), graduate medical programs

---

Abstract

Background: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for medical students were designed to help prepare students for the clinical roles of residency training. To date, there have been no published studies examining resident confidence performing the EPAs across the first year of post-graduate training.

Objective: To examine self-reported confidence levels of first-year residents performing the 13 activities included in the Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency.

Methods: Entering allopathic and osteopathic residents from seven residency programs were contacted at the start, and after 3, 6, and 12 months of training to complete an electronic survey self-assessing confidence performing EPAs.

Results: All 46 (100%) eligible residents completed surveys at the four study time points for the 13 EPAs, which resulted in 2,392 data points. Residents reported a high level of confidence performing four EPAs (i.e., 1, 5, 6, and 9) at baseline. Conversely, more than two-thirds of residents reported a lack of confidence performing four EPAs (i.e., 4, 8, 12, and 13) at baseline. A significant positive trend in confidence from baseline to 12 months was seen in almost all EPAs. However, more than 10% of residents reported not being confident performing EPAs 12 and 13 at twelve months.

Conclusions: Results revealed not all residents reported being confident performing EPAs at the beginning and end of the first year of training. Medical schools need to examine preparation of graduating students in the EPA areas. Residency programs need to assess entering resident competency to determine the need for increased initial supervision and remediation.

 

Funding/Support: None

Ethical approval: The study received approval from the Human Subjects Committee of UnityPoint Health – Des Moines.

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare they have no competing interests.