Entrustable Professional Activities in Hematopathology Pathology Fellowship Training: Consensus Design and Proposal

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Hematopathology
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Hematopathology fellowship education is complex, requiring integration of diverse diagnostic variables.
• Existing training frameworks like Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones need complementary tools for practical skill assessment.
• There is a need for a streamlined system to evaluate fellow competency and provide constructive feedback for independent practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and propose a set of core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for hematopathology fellowship training.
• To create a practical framework for assessing fellow competence and guiding their progression toward independent practice.
• To align training with the need for timely, patient-centered hematopathology care and resource stewardship.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of hematopathology training guidelines and related educational frameworks.
• Modified mini-Delphi approach involving multiple rounds of expert and stakeholder input.
• Development of 10 core EPAs with associated skills, knowledge statements, scenarios, and ACGME Milestones.

Main Results:

• Ten core EPAs were defined as essential for graduating hematopathology fellows.
• Each EPA includes specific competencies, example scenarios, and links to ACGME Milestones.
• The proposed EPAs provide a structured approach for program evaluation and fellow assessment.

Conclusions:

• Hematopathology Fellowship EPAs offer a practical framework for evaluating trainee competence and providing feedback.
• Implementation can enhance fellowship program design, supervision decisions, and overall training quality.
• These EPAs serve as a roadmap for fellows, facilitating their transition to independent practice.