Entrustable Professional Activities
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are important work tasks that trainees need to be able to perform with supervision at a distance by the end of Basic Training.
By the end of Basic Training trainees need to be able to perform each EPA with supervision at a distance.
Each of the EPAs:
- is an exemplar, discrete task, separable from other tasks, which relates to patient care
- can be readily observed and assessed
- relates to safe healthcare in the workplace. There are consequences associated to this task that are not easily reversed.
Entrustable Professional Activities for Basic Trainees in Adult Internal Medicine and Paediatrics & Child Health (PDF 1.1MB)
EPA Behaviours
Each EPA includes the behaviours of a trainee who can perform the task with supervision at a distance and examples of behaviours of a trainee who is not yet ready to perform the task with supervision at a distance. The behaviours are categorised according to the domains of the RACP Professional Practice Framework, however each EPA should be performed and assessed as a complete task.
How to browse related content
Some parts of the curriculum standards relate to content in other curriculum standards. For example, in the Medical Expertise behaviours you can access links to related Competency content. View the related content within each of the following domains by clicking the '+' symbol.
EPA 2 - Communication with patients
Discuss diagnoses and management plans with patients and their families or carers
This activity requires the ability to:
- communicate with patients and their families or carers from a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
- communicate with colleagues and other staff
- use of different modalities for communication, such as face-to-face, email, or phone calls
- perform this activity in multiple settings, including inpatient and ambulatory care settings and in emergency departments.
Behaviours
Each EPA has lists of behaviours. The behaviours help trainees understand how they can improve, and help supervisors to make decisions about whether trainees can be trusted to do the task with supervision at a distance
Medical expertise
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- applies knowledge of the scientific basis of health and disease to the management of patients
- demonstrates understanding of the clinical problem being discussed
- formulates management plans in partnership with patients and in collaboration with the health care team
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
Related competency themes
Communication
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- adapts their communication style in response to patients’ age, developmental level, and cognitive, physical, cultural, socioeconomic, and situational factors
- avoids the use of medical jargon
- engages patients in discussions
- selects appropriate modes of communication, including technology options
- understands the inherent pitfalls of using social media with individual patients
- works in partnership with patients to make choices that are right for them, including explaining diagnoses, management plan and prognosis
- checks patients’ understanding of information
- deals with conflicts appropriately
- collaborates with patient liaison officers as required
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- unnecessarily interrupt a consultation or procedure to check information
- dismiss or interrupt patients’ comments
- defer or avoid difficult or ambiguous conversations
- ignore or inadequately address patients’ questions or concerns
- base communication on a template, with no variation in approach based on age, demographic, cognitive, physical, cultural, socioeconomic, or situational needs
Related competency themes
Quality and safety
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- participates in processes to manage patient complaints
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- become defensive in challenging situations, such as following patient complaints
Related competency themes
Teaching and learning
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- responds appropriately to information sourced by patients and to patients’ knowledge regarding their condition
Related competency themes
Research
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- refers to evidence-based clinical guidelines
- demonstrates understanding of the limitations of evidence and the challenges of applying research in daily practice
Related competency themes
Cultural competence
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- identifies when to use an interpreter and uses them appropriately
- allows sufficient time for communication across linguistic and cultural barriers
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- be discourteous or culturally insensitive
- use unskilled or inappropriate people to translate
Related competency themes
Ethics and professional behaviour
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- consistently considers patient privacy and confidentiality
- respects preferences of patients
- communicates appropriately, consistent with the context, and respects patients’ needs and preferences
- maximises patient autonomy and supports their decision making
Related competency themes
Judgement and decision making
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- recognises their own limitations and seeks help when required in an appropriate way
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- inadequately consult with senior colleagues
Related competency themes
Leadership, management and teamwork
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- communicates with and involves other health professionals as appropriate
Related competency themes
Related Knowledge Guide
Adult Medicine
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Cardiology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Dermatology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Endocrinology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Endocrinology - Important specific issues
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Gastroenterology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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General Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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General Medicine - Important specific issues
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Genetic and Metabolic Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Genetic and Metabolic Medicine - Important specific issues
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Geriatric Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Geriatric Medicine - Important specific issues
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Haematology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Immunology & Allergy - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Infectious Diseases - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Infectious Diseases - Important specific issues
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Medical Obstetrics - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Medical Obstetrics - Important specific issues
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Medical Oncology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Nephrology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Neurology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Palliative Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Palliative Medicine - Important specific tools
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Pharmacology, Toxicology and Addiction Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Pharmacology, Toxicology and Addiction Medicine - Important specific issues
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Respiratory and Sleep Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Rheumatology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
Paediatrics & Child Health
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Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine - Important specific issues
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Clinical Sciences - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Dermatology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Dermatology - Important specific issues
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Emergency Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Endocrinology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Gastroenterology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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General and Community Paediatrics - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Genetic and Metabolic Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Genetic and Metabolic Medicine - Important specific issues
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Haematology and Oncology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Immunology and Allergy - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Infectious Diseases - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Infectious Diseases - Important specific issues
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Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Nephrology and Urology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Neurology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Respiratory and Sleep Medicine - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools
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Rheumatology - Investigations, procedures and clinical assessment tools