Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This subject builds on the foundational knowledge and clinical skills acquired in Podiatric Medicine 1 enabling you to consolidate these skills and effectively treat patients without mentoring by senior students. The unit introduces you to concepts in clinical biomechanics, orthoses manufacture, the assessment and prescription of footwear, and health issues affecting the elderly. The content is developed to enable you to integrate information from other subjects (Disease Processes, Pharmacology).

Designated unit
This is a designated unit. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring the demonstration of certain personal qualities, and are deemed to be critical to progress in your course. At the end of each semester, if you fail to achieve a passing grade in this unit you may be eligible for a period of probation or exclusion.

Aims

This unit aims to increase your proficiency in examining and treating patients who have common foot conditions, and continue to increase your awareness of the role of the podiatry profession in the community with particular emphasis on aged care. The subject also aims to increase your understanding of biomechanical foot problems and diabetes and assist you to access information about podiatry using various forms of information technology.

Objectives

Throughout all aspects of this unit sensitivity to and an understanding of cultural and gender-related issues will be demonstrated as appropriate. On completion of this unit, you should have:

1. demonstrated competency in the clinical skills required to diagnose and manage foot problems in the elderly, using a range of assessment and treatment methods including non-casted foot orthoses and medicaments;


2. demonstrated an understanding of footwear construction, assessment and prescription;


3. developed knowledge of the effects of diabetes on the foot and lower limb and the national and international protocols for assessment and management of people with diabetes. This includes a demonstrated understanding of wound healing and wound evaluation and management;


4. modified clinical practice after engaging in self-evaluation, peer assisted learning and self-directed learning tasks; and


5. demonstrated proficiency in conducting clinical biomechanical measurements, interpreting these findings and relating the results to foot pathology and demonstrated skills in the fabrication of functional foot orthoses.

Content

This unit covers the following:

Introduction to Clinical Biomechanics- joint axes in the foot, normal and abnormal function of the joints within the foot, the gait cycle, clinical measurement of joint position and motion, issues affecting the accuracy of clinical measurements, visual gait analysis, introduction to pathomechanics - rearfoot, forefoot, 1st ray and ankle disorders, assessment of foot structure and posture -the foot posture index, pes planus, pes cavus, The elderly and the ageing foot, Diabetes- National and International guidelines for the management of the diabetic foot, Medicaments, Wound Healing, Wound care products, Footwear - construction, assessment, prescription, custom footwear, Foot orthoses - materials, impression taking, insole fabrication, National Guidelines for orthotic therapy.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The integration of theory and practice is achieved by linking lectures and tutorials to teaching activities in the podiatry clinic. Teaching methods include lectures, discussion groups, self-directed learning, peer-assisted learning and clinical practice.

Assessment

Clinical attendance is mandatory for all students and students who miss any clinic will be required to make up the time subject to availability. Each student's clinical workload will need to be completed by semester's end and no make-up clinics are available after this time. Students who do not complete all the clinical work prior to the semester's end will not be eligible to undertake the final clinical exam. Full attendance is mandatory and any digression from this rule must be either accompanied by a medical certificate or prior approval, in writing, obtained from the unit coordinator. Verbal notification will not suffice. Students are advised that this rule will be strictly enforced and any breach could result in a "fail grade" being recorded for the unit. Please check the student by-laws, as these are applicable to all students.

Note: Students must pass each of the assessment items to pass this unit.

Note: This is a designated unit. Designated units are units which are deemed to be critical in a student's progress in the course. Such units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills and units requiring the demonstration of certain personal qualities. At the end of each year students who have failed to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit will be eligible for exclusion. A satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit is a grade of 4 or higher, or S - Satisfactory, where appropriate. Supplementary Assessment will NOT be granted to students enrolled in designated units.

PUB439 Podiatric Medicine 2 is a prerequisite for PUB539 Podiatric Medicine 3. You must pass PUB439 Podiatric Medicine 2 to progress to PUB539 Podiatric Medicine 3.Formative Assessment
Assessment name: Virtual Patient Scenarios
Description: You will be required to complete virtual patient scenarios which demonstrate your application of theory to the management of a simulated patient. This activity builds on the virtual patient scenarios used in the pre-requisite unit PUB339.
Relates to learning outcomes: 1,2,3

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Biomechanical examination, Gait analysis and Orthoses fabrication.

Description: You will be assessed on your ability to perform a biomechanical examination of the foot and lower limb, perform video/computerised gait analysis, take negative impression casts and fabricate functional foot orthoses.

Summative Assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1,5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Assessment name: Clinical Skills Assessment
Description: Assessment of Patient Treatment and Clinical Skills

Description: You will be required to elicit a medical history, demonstrate competence in completing the patient's medical record, conduct relevant screening tests, apply podiatric theory to the diagnosis of the patient's foot condition(s), demonstrate competence in infection control procedures and clinical skills and provide patient care independent of supervision.

Summative assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1,4
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Theory Exam
Description: A final examination paper will be used to assess theoretical knowledge about all aspects of the unit content.

Summative assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Turner, W., & Merriman, L. M. (2005). Clinical skills in treating the foot (2nd ed.). Edinburgh, New York: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Valmassy, R. L. (1996). Clinical biomechanics of the lower extremities. St. Louis: Mosby.

Risk assessment statement

Risk assessment statement

This unit will involve lab-based and clinic-based sessions in on campus clinic facilities. All students will be required to attend the induction sessions at the commencement of the semester where the safety precautions to be observed while working in the labs and clinic will be outlined. You are required to read the Clinic Policies and Procedures documents, and sign forms indicating that you have read and understood the material contained in these manuals. Please direct any questions regarding safe working procedures to the unit coordinator. Protective clothing must be worn at all times in the laboratories (face mask, goggles/face shield, lab coat) and closed in footwear and the clinic uniform during all clinic sessions. This unit involves contact with patients, and risks associated with the clinical environment (e.g. scalpel injury and exposure to patients with Hepatitis B) are outlined in the policies and procedures manuals for podiatry students. Students are expected to comply with these procedures and guidelines at all times.

Requirements for Placements
1. Blue Card: A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website
2. Hepatitis B Immunisation: It is now a requirement that students who go on Clinical placements during the course of their degree must have undergone Hepatitis B vaccinations. The Hepatitis B vaccinations (3 inoculations) are done over a period of six months. This means that you need to prepare for your clinical placements well in advance. Hepatitis B vaccinations are available from the University Health Services (Kelvin Grove Campus - ph: 3138 3161, Building C, Level 4) or from your local GP.
3. First Aid Certificate: You are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate before you begin your podiatry placement. There are a variety of First Aid certificate courses that are delivered by approved providers and duly authorised under the Ambulance Service Act 1991.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Dec-2012