CSB532 Medicine for Podiatrists
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSB532 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSB520 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,784 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CSB532 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSB520 |
| Coordinator: | Aaron Robertson | a10.robertson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Many of the patients treated by podiatrists present with co-morbidity which affects their foot health. This unit provides a medical basis for clinical practice and a theoretical foundation to support your clinical placements in other units. It provides you with insight into medical conditions, their effects on general and foot health, and an understanding of how appropriate foot care may be delivered with these factors in mind. You should be able to recognise and understand the related theory and clinical features, pathogenesis and significance of medical conditions likely to be seen in clinical practice and develop an understanding of the use of evidence in understanding disease processes and impacts. Podiatrists are constantly involved in the diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions in patients with associated medical comorbidity, particularly dermatological disorders which are also discussed in this unit.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of clinical features, pathogenesis and significance of common systemic diseases, while considering socio-cultural and environmental factors that can influence health outcomes, to holistically assess patients in the context of podiatric practice.
- Apply effective multimodal communication, relating to patients, health professionals and relevant others, while understanding interprofessional referral pathways for positive health-related outcomes for individuals and communities
- Differentiate and interpret the clinical features of medical conditions relevant to podiatric medicine, utilising emerging technologies, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and identify the most appropriate treatments within the scope of podiatry; and
- Integrate medical knowledge with the clinical therapeutic needs of patients with podiatric pathology to assist with clinical decision-making and create person-centred and multidisciplinary management plans.
Content
Specialised knowledge
This subject covers the significance, clinical features and pathogenesis of the following:
• Cardiovascular disease
• Dermatological disorders
• Endocrinology
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Metabolic disease
• Oncology
• Haematological disease
• Immunological disease
• Infectious diseases
• Inherited/genetic conditions
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Neurological disease
• Renal disease
• Respiratory disorders
• Rheumatological disease
• Urological disease
Communication skills
- Developing understanding of digital communication modalities in health care (e.g. infographs, digital health records)
- Further develop skills in finding and evaluating health related information/data and reflecting on the inquiry process
- Interprofessional communication and collaboration
These learning outcomes address elements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's (AHPRA) Professional Capabilities for Podiatrists. Students are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia, which recognises these capabilities as the minimum standards for professional practice.
Learning Approaches
This course will utilise asynchronous and synchronous modes of delivery of content, via pre-recorded lectures and case-based learning. There is a strong focus on interdisciplinary and interprofessional learning, where a medical practitioner will deliver the theoretical content and a registered podiatrist leading the synchronous, case-based tutorials.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided through quiz questions and case-based scenarios held progressively throughout the semester to test your understanding of weekly content. Group feedback will also be provided on your performance in your mid-semester assessment task. You will be expected to reflect on this feedback and your performance in order to continually improve and progress towards becoming a podiatrist.
Assessment
Overview
Each assessment item is designed to measure your ability to apply the knowledge and skills stated in the unit learning outcomes. Your first assessment item is an infographic that allows you to demonstrate your ability to provide safe and effective information and education for a common lower limb condition. In the final assessment item your knowledge of medicine relevant to podiatric practice will be assessed in a written examination.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Infographic
Acting as a podiatrist in clinical practice you will draw upon your knowledge of dermatological principles, together with a structured approach for clinical reasoning to develop an infographic to inform patients or other health professionals about the clinical features, clinical decision making process, and therapeutic intervention of a common dermatological condition affecting the lower limb.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Theory examination
You will be required to demonstrate knowledge within a theoretical examination which may include multiple choice and short answer questions to assess theoretical knowledge about clinical features, pathogenesis, significance, and management of common systemic diseases. You will be asked to consider case-based materials and respond with long answers, demonstrating effective interprofessional communication skills.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Other
The MSD Manual Professional Version [online resource]. (2024) Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ, USA. Available online: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area, which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS44 Bachelor of Podiatry
- Critically evaluate and integrate specialised discipline knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Theory examination - Employ information literacy, evidence-based professional reasoning and shared decision-making to safely and effectively undertake person-centred management for diverse lower limb conditions through assessment, investigation, diagnosis and evaluation.
Relates to: Infographic, Theory examination - Practice effective multimodal communication and collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice.
Relates to: Infographic
CS46 Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
- Critically evaluate and integrate advanced specialised knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Theory examination - Employ research skills in parallel with evidence-based professional reasoning and shared decision-making to safely and effectively undertake person-centred management for diverse lower limb conditions through assessment, investigation, diagnosis and evaluation.
Relates to: Infographic, Theory examination - Practice scholarly multimodal communication and effective collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice, including dissemination of research findings.
Relates to: Infographic
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CSB532 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSB520 |
| Coordinator: | Aaron Robertson | a10.robertson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Many of the patients treated by podiatrists present with co-morbidity which affects their foot health. This unit provides a medical basis for clinical practice and a theoretical foundation to support your clinical placements in other units. It provides you with insight into medical conditions, their effects on general and foot health, and an understanding of how appropriate foot care may be delivered with these factors in mind. You should be able to recognise and understand the related theory and clinical features, pathogenesis and significance of medical conditions likely to be seen in clinical practice and develop an understanding of the use of evidence in understanding disease processes and impacts. Podiatrists are constantly involved in the diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions in patients with associated medical comorbidity, particularly dermatological disorders which are also discussed in this unit.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of clinical features, pathogenesis and significance of common systemic diseases, while considering socio-cultural and environmental factors that can influence health outcomes, to holistically assess patients in the context of podiatric practice.
- Apply effective multimodal communication, relating to patients, health professionals and relevant others, while understanding interprofessional referral pathways for positive health-related outcomes for individuals and communities
- Differentiate and interpret the clinical features of medical conditions relevant to podiatric medicine, utilising emerging technologies, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and identify the most appropriate treatments within the scope of podiatry; and
- Integrate medical knowledge with the clinical therapeutic needs of patients with podiatric pathology to assist with clinical decision-making and create person-centred and multidisciplinary management plans.
Content
Specialised knowledge
This subject covers the significance, clinical features and pathogenesis of the following:
• Cardiovascular disease
• Dermatological disorders
• Endocrinology
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Metabolic disease
• Oncology
• Haematological disease
• Immunological disease
• Infectious diseases
• Inherited/genetic conditions
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Neurological disease
• Renal disease
• Respiratory disorders
• Rheumatological disease
• Urological disease
Communication skills
- Developing understanding of digital communication modalities in health care (e.g. infographs, digital health records)
- Further develop skills in finding and evaluating health related information/data and reflecting on the inquiry process
- Interprofessional communication and collaboration
These learning outcomes address elements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's (AHPRA) Professional Capabilities for Podiatrists. Students are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia, which recognises these capabilities as the minimum standards for professional practice.
Learning Approaches
This course will utilise asynchronous and synchronous modes of delivery of content, via pre-recorded lectures and case-based learning. There is a strong focus on interdisciplinary and interprofessional learning, where a medical practitioner will deliver the theoretical content and a registered podiatrist leading the synchronous, case-based tutorials.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided through quiz questions and case-based scenarios held progressively throughout the semester to test your understanding of weekly content. Group feedback will also be provided on your performance in your mid-semester assessment task. You will be expected to reflect on this feedback and your performance in order to continually improve and progress towards becoming a podiatrist.
Assessment
Overview
Each assessment item is designed to measure your ability to apply the knowledge and skills stated in the unit learning outcomes. Your first assessment item is an infographic that allows you to demonstrate your ability to provide safe and effective information and education for a common lower limb condition. In the final assessment item your knowledge of medicine relevant to podiatric practice will be assessed in a written examination.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Infographic
Acting as a podiatrist in clinical practice you will draw upon your knowledge of dermatological principles, together with a structured approach for clinical reasoning to develop an infographic to inform patients or other health professionals about the clinical features, clinical decision making process, and therapeutic intervention of a common dermatological condition affecting the lower limb.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Theory examination
You will be required to demonstrate knowledge within a theoretical examination which may include multiple choice and short answer questions to assess theoretical knowledge about clinical features, pathogenesis, significance, and management of common systemic diseases. You will be asked to consider case-based materials and respond with long answers, demonstrating effective interprofessional communication skills.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Other
The MSD Manual Professional Version [online resource]. (2024) Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ, USA. Available online: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area, which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS44 Bachelor of Podiatry
- Critically evaluate and integrate specialised discipline knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Theory examination - Employ information literacy, evidence-based professional reasoning and shared decision-making to safely and effectively undertake person-centred management for diverse lower limb conditions through assessment, investigation, diagnosis and evaluation.
Relates to: Infographic, Theory examination - Practice effective multimodal communication and collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice.
Relates to: Infographic
CS46 Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
- Critically evaluate and integrate advanced specialised knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Theory examination - Employ research skills in parallel with evidence-based professional reasoning and shared decision-making to safely and effectively undertake person-centred management for diverse lower limb conditions through assessment, investigation, diagnosis and evaluation.
Relates to: Infographic, Theory examination - Practice scholarly multimodal communication and effective collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice, including dissemination of research findings.
Relates to: Infographic