Entrustment in physician-patient communication: a modified Delphi study using the EPA approach

Abstract Background Competency based curricula across the globe stress on importance of effective physician patient communication. A variety courses have been used to train physicians for this purpose. However, few them link competencies with practice resulting in confusions implementation and assessment. This issue can be resolved by treating certain specific communication related tasks as acts entrustment or entrustable professional activities (EPAs). In study, we aimed define a competency-based framework assessing using language EPAs. Methods modified Delphi study was conducted three stages. The first stage an extensive literature review identify elaborate which could treated second content validation medical education experts clarity representativeness. third iterative rounds predefined consensus levels. McNemar test check response stability Rounds. Results Expert resulted development 4 EPAs focused physician-patient their respective assessment strategies all aiming level 5 unsupervised practice. These include Providing information family about diagnosis prognosis; Breaking Bad news family; Counseling regarding disease illness; Resolving conflicts patients families. Conclusions Physician-patient are step toward integrative, all-inclusive patient-centered care. They meant improve quality interaction standardizing decision entrustment. linked competency frameworks around world provide useful training integrated into any post graduate curriculum also serve self-assessment tool postgraduate programs curricula.