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 builds on foundational studies in physiology, disease processes, medicine, podiatric medicine, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. Podiatrists make therapeutic decisions which are complex and require practitioners to consider legal, ethical, pharmacological, medical and patient factors as they determine the most efficacious approaches to treatment.
This requires collaboration with members of the health care team and reference to appropriate information resources. This unit also recognises the need to equip graduates for the changing role of the podiatrist in managing patients health by prescribing medications.

Aims

The aim of the PU43 course is
¿to meet the needs of the community by preparing graduates with the contemporary knowledge, skills and attributes expected of independent health practitioners in podiatry¿
The aim of this unit is to enable students to develop the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills necessary to safely prescribe and/or administer medications and restricted substances for treatment of podiatric conditions.

Objectives

At completion of this unit students should be able to

1. Understand the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with the use of pharmacological interventions
2. Research, evaluate and apply information from accepted sources (e.g Therapeutic Guidelines) to make clinical decisions in accordance with evidence-based practice.
3. Combine information such as the patient's medical, medication, podiatric and social history to select the most appropriate medications (including dosages, routes of administration etc.) for the management of podiatric conditions.
4. Design therapeutic interventions in accordance with the principles of quality use of medicines and safe prescribing (including prescription writing, record keeping, reporting of adverse drug reactions).

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
PC 6. Develop a patient/client-focused management plan
PC 7. Implement and evaluate management plan
PC 8. Provide education and contribute to an effective health care system

Content

This unit follows LSB384 Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists which considered the pharmacology, indications, contraindications, interactions and adverse effects of medications encountered in podiatric practice. This unit focuses on the safe and effective clinical use of pharmacological agents in therapeutic interventions for the management of podiatric conditions. The list of pharmacological agents taught are those approved by the Podiatrist Board of Australia

Elements of safe prescribing are discussed in detail and topics include;
1. National and international guidelines for safe prescribing (World Health Organisation, National Prescribing Service guidelines)
2. Pharmacovigilance
3. Impact of CAMS (complementary and alternative medicines)
4. Patient factors influencing clinical decisions (age, polypharmacy, BMI, disease states and disease management protocols)
5. Best practice pathways for pharmacological management of podiatric disorders using a podiatric formulary(e.g. infection, inflammation, pain, anaesthesia)

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Evidence-based practice is explained and illustrated through lectures, discussions, simulations, online scenarios and practical sessions. Readings and online resources will be used as students critically evaluate information to inform clinical decisions.
Note: Students must pass each item of assessment in order to complete this unit successfully. Emphasis will be placed on communication in the prescribing environment.

Assessment name: (OSCE) Case Studies
Description: Students apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills to simulated cases and scenarios.
Relates to objectives: 3,4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Theoretical knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are assessed.
Relates to objectives: 3,4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Viva
Description: Students will be required to compile a portfolio of activities from tutorial and clinical sessions. The portfolio must be formulated to comply with relevant legislation, regulations, standards of care and guidelines and clearly illustrate a critical evaluation of the information when deciding the approach to managing the podiatric condition. Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the portfolio material in a viva exam.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4
Weight: 20%
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

Bochner F and Rossi s (2007) Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide, South Australia: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

De Vries et al () Guide to Good Prescribing. A practice Manual. Geneva: WHO

eTG complete [Internet]. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2006 Jan. Accessed 2009 April 13
.

Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Flower R.J. (2007). Pharmacology (6th ed.) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Shakib S et al (2001) The Easy Guide to good prescribing. Sydney: National Prescribing Service.

Therapeutic Guidelines (Current Edition), Melbourne, VIC; Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, (electronic version available through QUT Library Databases website)

Australian Medicines Handbook (Current Edition), Adelaide, SA; AMH Pty Ltd (electronic version available through QUT Library Databases website)

MIMS (Current Edition), Sydney, NSW, MIMS Australia and UBM Media Pty Ltd (electronic version available through QUT Library Databases website)

Prescribing Guidelines for acute pain management in adults, Swinburne and Marlborough trust NHS

Sydney children's hospital drug utilisation review committee therapeutic guideline

Levine SR, Cohen MR, Blanchard NR et al. Guidelines for preventing medication errors in paediatrics. J Paediatr Pharmacol Ther 2001; 6:426-42 at:

Chapter eight Good prescribing practice Steve Chapman, Pierre Durieux and
Tom Walley

Podiatrist Board of Australia Website for up-to date guidelines:

Risk assessment statement

Any particular risks associated with the unit.

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