Presenting the case for implementing entrustable professional activities (EPA) in Sport and Exercise Sciences teaching: Application and alignment to develop student competencies

Abstract

Entrustable professional activities (EPA) are commonly integrated within competency frameworks across many healthcare curricula but are less evident in the training of Sport and Exercise Scientists. Equipping graduates with the key knowledge, skills and professional attributes to complete practical tasks competently with minimal supervision in the workplace is essential. Entrustable professional activities are an indicator of practical competency within a field of work, enabling students to independently display specific practical expertise in an authentic workplace setting. The aim of this paper is to describe how entrustable professional activities can be implemented into Sport and Exercise Sciences teaching in Higher Education. To guide the paper, a narrative review approach was utilised to identify current EPA frameworks and processes in use. A framework and competency matrix were developed based on the accreditation criteria of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and implemented into an introductory module. The EPA framework was evaluated by asking students (n = 47) to rank the importance of the competency action statements. The EPA framework was successfully used within a module and the framework was defined as a matrix, with statements aligned to a selection of expected graduate competencies, as EPAs were not related to specific tasks but were designed to cover the tests included in the module. EPAs offer a well-structured teaching and learning tool with clear alignment to the overall discipline of Sport and Exercise Sciences. EPAs may aid the professional development of key attributes and skills to produce work-ready Sport and Exercise Science graduates.