gms | German Medical Science

Background: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) describe in detail and verifiably the diverse activities of the professional task spectrum (“Professional Activities”). The degree to which these activities can be carried out independently after completion of the practical training or commencement of the professional activity is defined (“Entrustability”).

In the course of the academisation of midwifery training, the professional practical training also undergoes a paradigm shift. In order to involve the participants from the professional field of activity of the graduates in the process of curriculum development and the creation of competence-oriented catalogs of learning objectives, the concept of EPA-based catalogs of learning objectives has been established internationally.

Aim: Experts of the professional practice define the practical activities of obstetrics, which they expect from graduates of a primary qualifying dual study program. In addition, the minimum level of performance expected upon entering the profession is defined.

Method: As part of a master’s thesis, a modified online Delphi analysis was conducted on the development of relevant EPAs in practical obstetrics for midwifery students in Hamburg. Twelve local experts in obstetrics from the environment of the study program were interviewed by means of an anonymous and guideline-supported group discussion procedure about the activities they consider relevant for a competence-oriented catalog of learning objectives in practical midwifery education.

Results: A catalog of 124 relevant activities was developed and categorized, which was again evaluated by the experts in a second phase. It should be emphasized that 51% of the activities mentioned describe personal competencies, especially in the categories of communication and self-management. Furthermore, the results on the degree of expectation of performance show a wide range of opinion among the experts.

Relevance and conclusion: Entrustable Professional Activities place the graduate profile relevant to practice at the center of curriculum development. The joint discourse and structured interaction processes for the development of EPA-based educational concepts have already proven to be very successful in other medical disciplines. Obstetrics as an interdisciplinary profession and various fields of action is no exception in the complexity of the educational task. The online Delphi analysis has proven itself as a valid method for developing a catalog of obstetric task for midwives. With the consensus and transfer of this into a structure-giving EPA catalog, the framework is prepared for local practice concept as well as a pilot project in obstetrics.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: This abstract was written in the context of a master’s thesis. A vote on ethics was not necessary. The research was financed by own resources. There are no conflicts of interest.