As the landscape of surgical education undergoes rapid evolution, one innovation promises to redefine how future vascular surgeons are trained and certified: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). A group of experts shed light yesterday on their potential to transform surgical training during an afternoon education session.
Described as “the most disruptive innovation in assessment in more than a decade,” Brigitte Smith, MD, from the University of Utah Health, emphasized the pivotal role EPAs have in reshaping competency evaluation. Unlike traditional time-based training, EPAs focus on abilities essential for unsupervised practice, ensuring graduates deliver safe, high-quality patient care across diverse settings.
“The implementation of EPAs marks a paradigm shift in how we prepare vascular surgeons,” said Smith. “These activities not only assess competence but also define the core of our specialty, setting clear benchmarks for performance.”
EPAs delineate specific tasks that trainees must demonstrate proficiency in before being entrusted with independent practice. The American Board of Surgery (ABS) clarifies that EPAs are not the same as competencies. Instead, they complement competencies by providing a practical way to apply the broad concept of competency in daily practice. This approach, already integrated into general surgery, now positions vascular surgery as the next frontier for this competency-based model.
Smith’s presentation outlined the developmental journey of vascular surgery EPAs and provided insights into their implementation process. With the ABS paving the way in general surgery, the adoption of EPAs in vascular surgery signifies a proactive step toward aligning training with contemporary healthcare demands, Smith said.
“EPAs are not just a new assessment tool; they represent a fundamental evolution in how we prepare the next generation of vascular surgeons,” she added.
