Development of core entrustable professional activities linked to a competency-based veterinary education framework

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the adoption of competency-based education in some veterinary schools over the past 15 years, only recently has a concerted effort been directed toward this in veterinary education internationally.

Methods: In 2015, educational leaders from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) member schools came together with a strong call to action to create shared tools for clinical competency assessment.

Results: This resulted in the formation of the AAVMC Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Working Group, which then embarked on the creation of a shared competency framework and the development of eight core entrustable professional activities (EPAs) linked to this framework.

Conclusions: This paper will report on the development of these EPAs and their integration with the concurrently-developed CBVE Framework.

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their gratitude to the AAVMC for their support of this project. Special thanks to Dr. Ted Mashima, AAVMC Senior Director of Academic and Research Affairs, Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, AAVMC Chief Executive Officer, and the Deans of the AAVMC veterinary schools for their support of the time and travel required for this engagement.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Glossary

Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE): Is an approach modeled after competency-based medical education and is designed to prepare graduates for professional careers by confirming their ability to meet the needs of animals and the expectations of society. This approach focuses on outcomes-based and learner-centered education and assessment.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laura K. Molgaard

Laura K. Molgaard, DVM, is Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, USA. Her research interests focus on veterinary education, including outcomes assessment, curriculum review and renewal, and admissions.

Kristin P. Chaney

Kristin P. Chaney, DVM, DACVIM (LAIM), DACVECC, is Director of Curriculum Development & Outcomes Assessment at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, USA. Her research interests include veterinary education, curriculum redesign, and novel instructional methodologies.

Harold G. J. Bok

Harold G. J. Bok, DVM, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the Center for Quality Improvement in Veterinary Education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University in the Netherlands. His research interests include work-based learning and assessment, programmatic assessment, feedback, and expertise development.

Emma K. Read

Emma K. Read, DVM, MVSc, DACVS, is Associate Dean for Professional Programs at the College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, USA. Her research interests include assessment, clinical skills teaching and learning, simulation and curriculum design.

Jennifer L. Hodgson

Jennifer L. Hodgson, Ph.D., BVSc(Hons), DAVM, GradCertEdStud (HigherEd), is Professor and Associate Dean for Professional Programs at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, USA. Her research interests focus on veterinary education, including curriculum design, review and renewal, assessment including outcomes assessment, and the student experience.

S. Kathleen Salisbury

S. Kathleen Salisbury, DVM, MS, DACVS, is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, USA. Her research interests focus on veterinary education, including outcomes assessment.

Bonnie R. Rush

Bonnie R. Rush, DVM, MS, DACVIM (large animal), is Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, USA. Her research interests include student wellness, outcomes assessment, and academic success.

Jan E. Ilkiw

Jan E. Ilkiw, BVSc, Ph.D., is Associate Dean – Academic Programs, at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA. Her research interests focus on curricular review and renewal, and outcomes assessment.

Stephen A. May

Stephen A. May, MA VetMB Ph.D. DVR DEO FRCVS DipECVS FHEA, is Senior Vice-Principal of the Royal Veterinary College, UK. His research interests are veterinary education, pedagogy, professional identity development and professional ethics, reflective practice and the scholarship of primary care.

Jared A. Danielson

Jared A. Danielson, MS, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, USA. His research interests include educational assessment and the use of educational technology in veterinary medical education.

Jody S. Frost

Jody S. Frost, PT, DPT, Ph.D., FAPTA, FNAP, is an Education Consultant and Facilitator. Her research interests focus on assessment, strategic planning, interprofessional professionalism, and leadership.

Susan M. Matthew

Susan M. Matthew, Ph.D., BVSc(Hons), BSc(Vet)(Hons), GradCertEdStud(HigherEd), is Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Veterinary Medical Education at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, USA. Her research focuses on veterinary education, including curriculum design, outcomes assessment, experiences of teaching and learning, and veterinary professional practice.