Entrustable Professional Activities in Radiology Medical Residency Programs: A Scoping Review

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) have emerged as a framework to integrate competency-based education into clinical practice. EPAs refer to tasks routinely performed within a given specialty and can serve as the foundation for the curriculum of a medical residency program (MRP). The study aims to map the use of EPAs within Radiology MRPs.

A scoping review protocol was developed following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping Review Guidelines. A systematic search was conducted across four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and LILACS). Data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.

In total, 8 studies were included. They were conducted in North America and Europe. The number of EPAs described in each study ranged from 4 to 59, with a median of 9. A total of 132 EPAs were described. After excluding duplicates, 112 unique EPAs remained. Using inductive coding, the EPAs were organized into six categories: clinical care, procedures, disease or patient groups, academic activities, management activities, and personal competencies. The number of categories used to organize EPAs in each study ranged from 2 to 6. The vast majority of EPAs described real, observable tasks. Only two studies provided detailed descriptions of the EPAs, as recommended in the literature.

The limited number of studies included in this review highlights the nascent nature of EPA implementation in Radiology. A clear understanding of the characteristics of EPAs' and the commonly used approaches in their development can support institutions aiming to develop their own set of EPAs.