A framework for assessing practical competence in laboratory animal science (LAS): development of direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) by the ETPLAS Working Group

Laboratory Animals, vol. 60, pp. 332–345

Abstract

Assessment of practical skills is a key component in ensuring competence in laboratory animal science (LAS), particularly for practitioners performing functions A, C and D as defined in the Directive 2010/63/EU, namely those who carry out procedures on animals, care for them and perform humane killing, respectively. To address the need for a harmonised, objective and transparent approach to assessing practical competence, Working Group 4 (WG4) of the Education and Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS) has developed a set of Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) tools. These tools are tailored specifically to evaluate the intended learning outcomes of Modules 3.2, 6.2, 8 and 20-22 of the European Union (EU) Education and Training Framework. This report outlines the rationale, structure and guidance for implementing the DOPS tools. Based on Miller's pyramid and established educational principles, DOPS tools are suitable for formative and summative assessments in simulated or real environments. They can be used both formatively to monitor progress during training and summatively to support end-of-training decisions about competence. Their implementation is crucial to supporting harmonised training, facilitating mutual recognition of competence and ultimately advancing both animal welfare and the quality of scientific research in the EU and beyond. The DOPS forms are available as supplemental material to this article and from the ETPLAS website.

Authors 9

1. Rafael Frías Beneyto corresponding

   Karolinska Institutet · Maanmittauslaitos

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

   R3FINED International Oy Ltd, Piikkiö, Finland

2. Ivo ACW Tiebosch

   Utrecht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Animal Welfare Body Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands

3. Andreia Costa

   i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto

   Affiliation as printed

   i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Portugal

4. Daniel Kylmann Hansen

   University of Copenhagen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

5. Åsa Holmberg

   Karolinska Institutet

   Affiliation as printed

   Comparative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden

6. Ronald Vlasbom

   University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

   Affiliation as printed

   HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands

7. Lucy E Whitfield
   Affiliation as printed

   OWL Vets Ltd., Suffolk, UK

8. Anne‐Dominique A. Y. Degryse
   Affiliation as printed

   SWS FELASA, ETPLAS, Puylaurens, France

9. Jan‐Bas Prins Aachen

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands