EPA 1
Gather a history, perform an examination and create a prioritised differential diagnosis list.
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are high-level activities which are typically part of everyday veterinary practice. They reflect the types of responsibilities veterinary professionals carry out in practice.
How EPAs work
- EPAs focus on broad areas of veterinary work rather than specific tasks. This makes them applicable across various clinical contexts, species and workplaces.
- They incorporate key professional skills, such as communication, decision-making and organisation.
- EPA descriptions set out the evidence required in the e-portfolio, including activities and reflections.
- Graduates and their VetGDP Advisers should regularly consult the EPA descriptions and success criteria to monitor progress.
- To pass peer review, the e-portfolio must show the graduate can carry out each EPA competently, with minimal support, and demonstrate a broad range of experience.
Choosing EPAs
EPAs should be selected collaboratively by the graduate and their VetGDP Adviser.
Choices should reflect the full scope of the graduate's role - not just routine activities, but less frequent tasks too. This ensures that the graduate can reflect on and learn from all aspects of their experience.
If a peer reviewer believes an important EPA is missing, the graduate may be asked to add it and submit additional evidence.
Full list of EPAs
EPA 2
Develop a diagnostic plan and interpret test results.
EPA 3
Develop and implement a management/treatment plan.
EPA 4
Recognise a patient requiring urgent or emergent care and initiate evaluation and management.
EPA 5
Formulate relevant questions and retrieve evidence to advance care.
EPA 6
Perform a common surgical procedure on a patient, including pre-operative and post-operative management.
EPA 7
Perform anaesthetic and analgesic techniques and to monitor, support and recover patients.
EPA 8
Formulate recommendations for preventive healthcare.
EPA 9
Perform a post mortem examination, including macroscopic description and appropriate sampling.
EPA 10
Conduct a basic epidemiological investigation of a disease outbreak in a group of animals.
EPA 11
Perform a welfare assessment of an individual animal or group of animals, and take appropriate action if their welfare is found to be compromised.
EPA 12
Carry out a veterinary risk assessment.
EPA 13
Conduct document and physical checks on live animals as part of expert health certificate requirements.
EPA 14
Conduct physical and document checks on live animals imported to the UK through a border inspection post.
EPA 15
Perform dental and oral examinations and procedures relevant to your role, including routine checks and advice, identifying common dental and oral conditions.
EPA 16
Undertake activities which contribute to the application or development of policy, in relation to animal health and welfare, public health and One Health.
EPA 17
Conduct documentary and physical checks as part of export health certificate requirements.
EPA 18
Conduct import document, identity and physical checks at a Border Control Post.
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