title: The epidemiology of competence: protocol for a scoping review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Factors that are important to the competence of healthcare providers have important consequences for quality of healthcare. Although some previous research has discussed risks or supports to the competence of clinicians, a thorough exploration is currently lacking. The purpose of this review is to examine the literature examining risks and supports to clinical competence of healthcare practitioners and trainees engaged in field-based education. In this study, field-based education refers to teaching or training in a real-world/work-based setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We will employ an established scoping review methodology. Eligible studies will include those that mention (1) a healthcare professional, (2) competence from field-based education throughout the lifespan/career and (3) a risk or support to competence. Four authors will independently apply the inclusion criteria to all studies, regardless of study design. Our data extraction will include information on study design, location and type of study and we will develop a comprehensive list of risks and supports that are discussed in the literature.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Since this is a review of the literature, ethics approval is not indicated. We will disseminate the findings from this study in publications in peer-reviewed journals as well as presentations at relevant national and international conferences.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Education and Research Unit, Post Graduate Medical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glover Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Education and Research Unit, Post Graduate Medical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herold
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Education and Research Unit, Post Graduate Medical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Marla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nayer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Education and Research Unit, Post Graduate Medical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sheena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bance
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013663:Teaching; D000098584:Scoping Reviews as Topic
keywords: EDUCATION & TRAINING (see Medical Education & Training); EPIDEMIOLOGY; MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING