Introducing entrustable professional activities and competency-based development into workplace-based training within...

Area of Science:

• Laboratory animal science
• Veterinary medicine
• Animal welfare science

Background:

• Competent laboratory animal science (LAS) staff are crucial for scientific reproducibility and animal welfare.
• Current training and assessment methods may not fully ensure operator competence.
• Harmonization in competence development is needed for reliable entrustment decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose entrustable professional activities (EPAs) as a framework for developing and assessing competence in laboratory animal science staff.
• To support valid entrustment decisions for individuals working with laboratory animals.
• To encourage harmonization in competence-based development within the field.

Main Methods:

• Proposal of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) as a structured approach.
• Development of concepts for a consensus framework.
• Focus on practical application following or alongside basic training.

Main Results:

• A proposed structure (EPAs) to support and assess competence development.
• Concepts for a consensus framework to promote harmonization.
• Anticipated improvement in reliable competence assessment by supervisors and assessors.

Conclusions:

• Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) offer a robust framework for assessing and developing competence in laboratory animal science.
• A consensus framework can harmonize competence development, ensuring consistent standards.
• Implementation of EPAs will enhance the reliability of entrustment decisions for personnel working with laboratory animals.