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 final semester unit builds on the prerequisite unit PUB738 and continues your development of high levels of professionalism and ethical behaviour in podiatry practice. The ability to work within a team and appreciate leadership skills will be required as you participate in a range of clinics at QUT and outside the university. You will be required to assume a case management role, liaise with podiatrists and other health professionals, and provide guidance to more junior students.

Aims

This unit aims to consolidate clinical skills acquired in earlier units, to broaden overall experience by exposure to a variety of clinical settings, and to enhance professional attitudes. The variety of clinical and non-clinical roles that podiatrists play in the community will be emphasised through external placements, thereby increasing the student's appreciation of professional responsibilities.

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 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 professionalism and competency in clinical and research skills acquired in both prior units and this unit as you work in clinical facilities at QUT and external to QUT;
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 and effectively utilise clinical decision-making skills and podiatry competencies (Podiatry Board of Australia and ANZPAC) in case management of patients attending the QUT podiatry clinic, with a wide range of clinical conditions including those requiring orthotic therapy;
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.

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
the ability to work independently and collaboratively
effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes
social and ethical responsibility and an understanding of Indigenous and international perspectives
characteristics of self-reliance and leadership the capacity for life-long learning

Content

Orientation to private practice, orientation to public sector practice, reflective practice, researching best-practice and evidence-based practice, continuing professional development, clinical placements, observational visits, clinical biomechanics and orthotic therapy, clinical rotations at the QUT Podiatry Clinic.
Your clinical experiences both within QU T and external to QUT may include some or all of the following:
Physical medicine
Sports medicine
Paediatrics
Diagnostic approaches (advanced imaging, pathology and gait technology)
Podiatric surgery
General podiatry practice
Hospital podiatry practice
Community health podiatry practice
Orthosis prescription and fabrication

Please note there is a companion clinical unit PUB839 offered in Semester 2 of the final year.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Clinic rotations, clinical placements, observational visits, tutorials, seminars, and online resources. You will be required to document your reflections on your clinical placements in a reflective journal. You will be required to attend additional clinical rotations during semester breaks.

Assessment

* Please note you must pass each of the assessment items to pass the unit.
Full clinical attendance is mandatory. Digression from this requirement must be by prior approval, in writing (verbal notification will not suffice), from the unit coordinator. Absence due to illness will need a relevant medical certificate. Students who miss any clinic will be required to rectify the deficit, subject to availability. Each student's clinical workload will need to be completed by the end of semester (unless agreed previously), and no make-up clinics are available after this time. Students who do not complete all the clinical work by the agreed deadline will be ineligible to undertake the final clinical examination. Students are advised that these rules will be strictly enforced and any breach may result in failure of the unit. Please check the Student Rules, as these are applicable in all instances.You will receive formative feedback from your clinical supervisors and you have opportunity to practice your orthotic management and clinical skills each week in the on-campus rotations, receiving feedback from supervising staff.

Assessment name: Placement Portfolio
Description: Supervisor evaluations, clinical logbook and reflective activity.
External placement supervisors will evaluate performance and competency in knowledge, clinical skills, communication and professionalism.
You will be required to submit a clinical logbook including details and reflection on your clinical experiences at QUT and on external placements.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,5
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

You will be examined on a range of practical and clinical skills and the application of theory to practice as expected of a beginning practitioner. Examples include: radiology, physical medicine, sports medicine, wound management, general clinical skills, clinical assessment techniques.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: You will be examined on your knowledge and skills in the management of patients requiring the application of clinical biomechanics principles and orthotic therapy (prescription, fabrication, fitting, management, rationale etc).
Relates to objectives: 2 and 4
Weight: 30%
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

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

Risk Assessment Statement
This unit will involve lab-based and clinic-based sessions in on campus and off-campus 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 Clinical Placement Manual and 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 or the placement supervisors. 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.

Last modified: 19-Dec-2012