Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This unit recognises that podiatrists make clinical decisions in a socio-political and socio-cultural environment. Real world workplaces present complex, diverse and unpredictable challenges. Confidence and resilience in approaching these challenges is scaffolded through exposure to podiatry practice in diverse clinical and non-clinical settings.

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

The aim of this 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¿

Professional competency embodies the ability to generalise competence or transfer and apply skills and knowledge from one situation and environment to another.
The aim of this unit is to build the coherence and relevance of the course experience by transitioning students from the on-campus clinics to diverse external clinical and non-clinical settings. A complex interaction and integration of skills, knowledge, judgment and personal qualities builds resilience and confidence in the student as a pre-professional.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1: understand the multifaceted nature of health care delivery in a variety of settings and appreciate the diverse roles that podiatrists may have in the health care system;
2: demonstrate competence in clinical and research skills
3: communicate effectively using interpersonal communication skills, reporting and presentation skills in diverse contexts, including working with other professionals in a team environment;
4: demonstrate effective clinical decision-making skills and professional competencies (Podiatry Board of Australia and ANZPAC) relevant to patient case management
5: engage in reflective practice to appraise your knowledge, skills, attributes and reactions to the workplace situations

These learning outcomes address elements of the Australian and New Zealand Competencies Standards for Podiatrists from the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC), primarily:

· 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
· PC8. Provide education and contribute to a safe and effective health system.

Content

Orientation to private practice, orientation to public sector practice, reflective practice, researching best-practice guidelines and evidence-based practice, continuing professional development, clinical placements and observational visits. You will be required to undertake clinical placements during both semester and non-semester times.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Online resources, lectures, tutorials, simulations and role play are used to orientate you to the expectations of clinical placements, the nature of reflective practice and the expectations of the podiatry profession regarding reflective practice and continuing professional development. A module on advanced information literacy skills will be presented by specialist librarians.

You will be required to document your reflections on your clinical placements in a reflective journal.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed by the end of the semester.
* You must pass each of the assessment items to pass the unit.

Special note:
Completion of the required number of clinical placement days is mandatory for all students. Clinical hours must be documented to demonstrate fulfilment of Podiatry Board requirements.You will have opportunity to discuss your progress on your Literature review and Reflective journal in tutorial classes. You will be provided with feedback from the unit coordinator on your Placement Portfolio after it has been assessed in mid semester, and you will continue to add to this portfolio as you progress towards CSB542 in semester 2.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Clinical logbook and supervisor evaluations.

External placement supervisors will evaluate your performance and competency in knowledge, clinical skills, communication and professionalism.
The supervisor evaluations form a component of the portfolio along with your records of your clinical experiences in a placement log book. You will also be required to complete a number of brief case reports relating to podiatric therapeutics. This portfolio will be viewed and assessed by the unit coordinator at mid semester. You will be given feedback at this stage, and you will continue to add to your portfolio as you progress towards CSB542 in Semester 2.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Reflective Journal
Description: You will be required to complete a critical reflection based on a professional issue encountered on clinical placement, with an emphasis on clinical best practice guidelines, APodC code of conduct. You will be assessed on your ability to reflect on your own professional development in accordance with ANZPAC competency standards.
Relates to objectives: 1, 3, 4, 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: You will be required to conduct a critical review of the research literature surrounding management or investigation of a clinical problem. You will be assessed on your ability to independently source and critique the relevant literature, and communicate your findings in written format (paper) and oral presentation (summary) to peers, academic staff and members of the profession.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

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

References from preceding studies will be utilised in this subject including:

Beers, M. H. (2006). The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy (electronic resource) (18th ed.). Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Research Laboratories.

Christman, R. A. (2003). Foot and ankle radiology. St. Louis, Mo.: Churchill Livingstone

Dockery, G. L., & Crawford, M. E. (1999). Color atlas of foot and ankle dermatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven.

Frowen, P., & Neale, D. (2010). Neale's disorders of the foot (8th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

McGlamry, E. D., & Banks, A. S. (2000). McGlamry's comprehensive textbook of foot and ankle surgery (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Michaud, T. C. (1993). Foot orthoses and other forms of conservative foot care. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

NHMRC. (2011). National Evidence-Based Guideline: Prevention, Identification and Management of Foot Complications in Diabetes. Retrieved from.

Portney, L. G., & Watkins, M. P. (2009). Foundations of clinical research: applications to practice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Thomson, P., & Volpe, R. G. (2001). Introduction to podopediatrics (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

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

You will be required to read and comply with all procedures outlined in the Placement Information Manual available on the unit Blackboard site. Some placement sites may have additional requirements for induction of students prior to placement.

Please refer to the following link for health and safety information for professional placements at QUT:

Mandatory requirements for external clinical 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.

Last modified: 07-Feb-2013