The COPA model: a comprehensive framework designed to promote quality care and competence for patient safety

Patient safety and quality care are issues of major concern for nursing and all health care professions. Initiatives driven by these concerns have been undertaken during the past decade by organizations and agencies at the local, state, and national levels. One comprehensive framework used by many schools and agencies is Lenburg's Competency Outcomes and Performance Assessment Model (COPA). This article explores the basic concepts and related principles that are fundamental in refocusing the curriculum to promote practice-based competence. The framework emphasizes eight core practice competencies; competency-based outcomes; practice-driven learning; and competency performance examinations. The article also highlights Klein's doctoral research, which compares the effects on teaching and learning in a sample of diverse nursing programs, some of which use and some that do not use the model. Key findings are summarized with recommendations for further study. The COPA Model also is briefly compared to an emerging competency initiative.