PhD defence M.P. (Maaike) Smit

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

This dissertation focuses on working and learning within an EPA-based training program in Dutch paediatrics. Central to this training is the entrustment of identifiable professional tasks, with the goal of gradually allowing residents to become independent practitioners within a safe and educational environment. Through several qualitative studies, this research explores how residents and supervisors experience this form of training in practice. Themes such as autonomy, feedback, trust, entrustment decisions, and self-regulated learning emerge throughout the research. The results show that the EPA structure provides space for personalized learning and enhances ownership. At the same time, residents and supervisors face various challenges in practice. Tensions exist between formal training frameworks and the reality of clinical work, and key aspects of learning and assessment often remain implicit.

The findings also led to the development of supportive initiatives, such as the podcast Resident Talks, where experiences and underexplored themes are made accessible for discussion. As such, this dissertation not only contributes to scientific insights on EPA-based training but also fosters educational innovation and knowledge valorisation within medical postgraduate education.