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 unit has been specifically designed for students who are entering the graduate entry podiatry course who have completed a prior degree in a health-related field e.g. nursing, biomedical science. The unit introduces the knowledge and clinical skills required for podiatry students iwho are commencing patient management at the QUT Podiatry clinic.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to introduce, reinforce and further develop clinical skills, theoretical knowledge and the professional standards and protocols that are the basis of podiatry practice. The subject will aim to increase your understanding of gait, podiatry practice, biomechanics, diabetes and the elderly patient. Further development of anatomy knowledge and physical examination skills are important aims of this subject.

Objectives

When you have completed this unit, you should be able to;
1. Understand and apply relevant podiatry practice principles and theoretical concepts.
2. Interpret evidence to form a diagnosis and management plan which involves identifying common foot conditions, conducting physical examinations, interpreting test results and selecting and using podiatry treatments, with adherence to relevant protocols.
3. Demonstrate competency in the clinical skills required to diagnose and manage foot problems (including application of anatomy knowledge) through the use of range of assessment and treatment methods. These skills will include

• fabrication of cast and non-casted foot orthoses,


• use of medicaments,


• footwear assessment and prescription


• podiatric clinical skills


• podiatric biomechanical assessment skills

4. Modify clinical practice after engaging in self-evaluation, peer assisted learning and self-directed learning tasks;
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the gait cycle and skills in the use of gait analysis equipment, including being able to safely apply known procedures for the collection of gait data.


These learning outcomes address elements of the National Podiatry Competencies from the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council:

• PC 1. Practise podiatry in a professional manner


• PC 2. Continue to acquire and review knowledge for ongoing clinical and professional practice improvement


• PC 3. Communicate and interrelate effectively in diverse contexts


• PC 4. Conduct patient/client Interview and physical examination


• PC 5. Analyse Interpret and diagnose.

These learning outcomes support the development of students towards demonstrating QUT graduate capabilities:

• knowledge and skills pertinent to the professional area


• critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving


• effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes


• the capacity for life-long learning


• the ability to work independently and collaboratively


• social and ethical responsibility and an understanding of Indigenous and international perspectives


• characteristics of self-reliance and leadership.

Content

This unit content is situated in four modules:
1. Biomedical sciences - review of Anatomy :

• Study areas from the pelvis to the feet on all aspects of anatomy, including regional and surface anatomy.


• Microbiology, physiology, pathology as related to podiatry

2. Podiatric Medicine:

• Assessment of the foot and lower limb- vascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, dermatological


• Diagnosis and management of common foot conditions, foot problems in the elderly and in diabetes, wound management and material medica.


• The podiatry profession, principles of ethical practice in podiatry

2. Podiatric Clinical Practice

• Principles and practice of infection control


• Podiatric clinical skills


• Physical examination skills e.g. vascular assessment, neurological assessment


• Use of medicaments


• Fabrication of cast and non-cast foot orthoses


• Footwear assessment and prescription

3. Podiatric Clinical Biomechanics and Gait analysis

• Terminology


• Lower Extremity Function and normal mechanics


• Fundamental descriptions of the gait cycle


• Lower extremity biomechanical examination


• Pathomechanics of the foot and lower limb


• Development and changes in gait across the age spectrum


• Neurophysiology of gait


• Gait analysis techniques


• Pathological Gait

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The integration of theory and practice is achieved by linking lectures and tutorials to teaching activities in the podiatry laboratories and podiatry clinic. Teaching methods include lectures, online learning activities, discussion groups, self-directed learning, peer-assisted learning and clinical practice.
To assist with the integration of the learning within the workplace environment, tutorials are based around clinical cases and followed by critical discussions of cases. The principles of quality, safety and professional practice in health care are explained in lectures, which present the new knowledge you need to begin to work within the podiatry context. You will also be required to utilise the various gait analysis systems in the University podiatry clinic.

Evidence -based practice is explained and applied to the selection of physical examination and treatment techniques that would be considered most appropriate for the management of the clinical cases presented. The transition to professional practice is facilitated through learning activities in the podiatry clinic and the podiatry skills laboratories. These sessions use simulations to assist you to acquire physical examinations skills, clinical skills and orthotic fabrication skills.

The student cohort forms the initial patient group for development of the practical skills. Communication skills within teams and with other professionals are developed by requiring you to use professional communication with peers and supervisors. You will be required to attend additional clinical rotations during semester breaks.

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 assessment item 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.

Assessment 1: Demonstration (clinical procedures)
Description: You will be provided with feedback on your clinical performance during your clinical sessions and with virtual patient scenarios. Supervisors will provide direction and suggestions for improvement of your clinical skills on an ongoing basis and you will be responsible for recording and implementing these comments/suggestions eg in a personal log book.
Formative assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1-5.
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: ContinuousSupervisors will provide feedback on your clinical performance during the rostered clinical sessions. Formative assessment items will be used to provide feedback on your learning in the theoretical areas of the course.
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.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Portfolio of activity including physical examination skills, clinical biomechanics, gait analysis and orthoses fabrication.

You will be assessed on your ability to perform tasks in physical examination of the foot and lower limb, a biomechanical examination, including gait analysis of the foot and lower limb, take negative impression casts and fabricate functional foot orthoses.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-semester

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Demonstration (Clinical procedures in the context of podiatry clinic) Clinical skills assessment:

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: 1-5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Examination (written)
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: 50%
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

To participate in this unit, you are required to purchase a QUT Health Clinic uniform, physical examination equipment, personal protective equipment and textbooks.

Required Textbooks
Lorimer et al (2006) Neale's Disorders of the Foot, 7th Edition, Edinburgh; New York: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Merriman, L. M. & Turner, W. (2002) Assessment of the Lower Limb, 2nd Edition, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Clinical Gait Analysis: Theory and Practice (Kirtley) Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier (ISBN 0 4431 0009 8)
QUT PUB339 Podiatric Medicine 1: Physical Examination of the Foot and Ankle (TBA)

QUT PUB339 Podiatric Medicine 1: Padding, Strapping and Bandaging Techniques for the Foot and Ankle

Recommended Texts:

Gait Analysis: An Introduction (Whittle) Butterwoth Heinemann, Elsevier (ISBN 10: 0 7506 8883 1 or 13: 9 780 7506 8883 3)

Foot and Ankle Motion Analysis: Clinical Treatment and Technology (Harris, Smith & Marks) CRC Press: Biomedical Engineering Series (ISBN 13: 978 0 8493 3971 4)
Macdonald BW (2009) LSB235 Teaching and Learning Manual, QUT Publishing

Romanes GJ (1986) Cunningham's Manual of Practical Anatomy Volume 1 - Upper and Lower Limbs, Oxford Medical Publications

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 undergo 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.

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: 13-Sep-2012