Developing Entrustable Professional Activities for Entry-Level Dietitians: A Nationwide Consensus Study in Taiwan

Authors

• Meng-Chuan Huang, Department of Public Health and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; AND Academic and Teaching Quality Committee, Taiwan Dietitian Association, Taipei, Taiwan
• Su-E Kuo, Academic and Teaching Quality Committee, Taiwan Dietitian Association, Taipei, Taiwan AND Department of Nutritional Services, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
• Hui-Ping Chang, Academic and Teaching Quality Committee, Taiwan Dietitian Association, Taipei, Taiwan AND Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
• Hsiu-Yueh Su, Academic and Teaching Quality Committee, Taiwan Dietitian Association, Taipei, Taiwan AND Department of Dietetics, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
• Huei-Min Linda Chin, Academic and Teaching Quality Committee, Taiwan Dietitian Association, Taipei, Taiwan AND Department of Nutrition Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
• Chiao-I Chang, Department of Public Health and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Chih-Wei Yang, Department of Medical Education, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; AND Department and Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Bioethics, National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei, TaiwanFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Meng-Chuan Huang: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2188-2121

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) translate competency-based education into observable workplace tasks. This study aimed to develop EPAs for entry-level dietitians in Taiwan using a nationwide consensus-based approach.
Methods: A three-phase design was applied: (1) job analysis to identify core tasks; (2) three national workshops with 101 experts to draft EPAs; and (3) two consensus meetings with 29–30 experts using structured focus group discussions (FGDs) with anonymous voting to finalize the EPA framework and EPA/competency matrix. Consensus was defined as ≥ 50% agreement.
Results: In Phase 1, candidate EPAs were identified through job analysis and expert ratings, with items achieving strong agreement retained for workshop discussion. In Phase 2, participants refined EPA descriptions and competency domains using a standardized template. In Phase 3, structured FGDs and anonymous voting finalized seven core EPAs mapped to six competency domains, including nutritional care for inpatients with common diseases, nutritional care for outpatients with common chronic diseases, nutritional care in critical care units; hospital plate-meal preparation and supervision; meal design and cost management; group education for disease-specific nutrition; and nutritional care in residential long-term care institutions. The development process resulted in seven EPAs aligned with six competency domains reflecting authentic clinical and foodservice practice in Taiwan.
Conclusion: This study presents a nationally derived, consensus-based EPA framework for entry-level dietitians in Taiwan. The findings support the feasibility of a structured multi-phase consensus approach for defining EPAs and aligning competency-based clinical nutrition training and assessment in Taiwan and similar settings.

First Page

102

Last Page

114

Recommended Citation

Huang, Meng-Chuan; Kuo, Su-E; Chang, Hui-Ping; Su, Hsiu-Yueh; Chin, Huei-Min Linda; Chang, Chiao-I; and Yang, Chih-Wei (2026) "Developing Entrustable Professional Activities for Entry-Level Dietitians: A Nationwide Consensus Study in Taiwan," Journal of Medical Education: Vol. 30: Iss. 2, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.67010/1028-2424.2055
Available at: https://jme.researchcommons.org/journal/vol30/iss2/6