CSB533 Podiatric Medicine 3

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit further develops professional understanding of the general and specific effects of medical and surgical conditions on the human foot. The clinical experience presented builds on the theory introduced in Podiatric Medicine 2. The unit allows you to further develop clinical practice skills by integrating content from other units such as Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists, Disease Processes, Medicine, Radiographic Image Interpretation. In addition, you will be required to analyse theoretical models of podiatric biomechanics and apply these to create person-centred management plans.

This unit is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit in which you will complete clinical placements in the QUT Podiatry Clinic.

Please note that mandatory elements may start in Orientation week.

This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Apply your understanding of competing theoretical explanations of podiatric pathomechanics to solve clinical problems.
2. Apply clinical reasoning and knowledge of podiatric medicine to plan and safely implement assessment and person-centred management of lower limb pathology
3. Interpret patient information based on reliable and accurate assessment and implement appropriate mechanical interventions;
4. Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills and cultural capability in working with diverse client groups
5. Modify clinical practice after engaging in self-evaluation/reflective practice, peer assisted learning and self-directed learning tasks

Content

Learning Approaches

The horizontal integration of theory and practice is achieved by linking weekly lectures, practicals and clinical placement (Work Integrated Learning - WIL). Teaching methods include participation in lectures, attendance at practical sessions and clinical attendance. Case studies representing diverse cultural perspectives will be discussed in lectures. Workshops and resources developed by the Student Success Group are embedded within this unit to support your success in performance-based clinical exams.

Professional Learning and Development Plan:
Students are expected to perform a self-audit of performance against relevant professional capabilities for podiatrists, with a view to goal setting in consultation with staff, to guide studies in this unit.

Expected Clinical Conduct:

This unit requires compulsory attendance at on-campus or off-campus clinical placement (90 hours), and any absence from clinical placements will reduce the opportunity for development of your professional capabilities. Where absence is due to special or unforeseeable circumstances independently supported by documentation (e.g. medical certificate), make-up clinical placement days will be facilitated wherever possible. In certain circumstances, involving a substantial number of missed clinical hours, you may be advised to seek withdrawal from the unit without academic penalty. Standard course progression cannot be guaranteed following withdrawal from a clinical placement unit (or fail grade).

You will be required to comply with the policies and procedures of the clinic at all times. Failure to comply with relevant policies and procedures may lead to exclusion from the clinics and inability to complete the unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will be provided with feedback on your clinical performance during your clinical sessions. Your clinical supervisors will discuss your handling of patient cases, your clinical reasoning and interactions with your patients. You will be expected to reflect on this feedback and your performance in order to continually improve and progress towards becoming a podiatrist. You will also undertake formative peer review in your clinical sessions. You will be responsible for recording and implementing feedback provided by supervisors and peers in your personal logbook.

Assessment

Overview

The learning outcomes in this unit address elements of AHPRA's professional capabilities for podiatrists. The Podiatry Board of Australia recognises these competencies as the minimum standards for professional practice. As such, this unit contains specified threshold assessment conditions for the Placement Performance and Orthoses Practical Exam.

There are three assessment items in this unit that will enable you to demonstrate achievement of the unit learning outcomes. You will apply your understanding of podiatric pathomechanics theories in a mid-semester theory examination. You will demonstrate hands-on technical skills in the orthoses manufacture laboratories via a practical examination. Your supervised clinical practice in this unit will be evidenced by your clinical logbook completed throughout the semester, culminating in assessment of a patient consultation at the end of semester.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Theory Examination

You will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of podiatric biomechanics theories as they relate to tissue injury and foot pathology by completing a written theory examination.

Assessment: Orthoses practical exam

As a podiatrist you will require hands-on technical skills to prescribe, construct and modify in-shoe devices such as insoles and foot orthoses. In this practical examination you will act as a podiatrist and be required to demonstrate these technical skills and application of knowledge to create appropriate mechanical interventions for patients via simulated patient scenarios and practical tasks.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply. If you do not achieve the 50% pass level for the practical exam, you will be permitted one reattempt at the minimum pass level, only when your achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to your reattempt. 

Assessment: Placement performance and logbook

As a student practitioner, you will be required to undertake the supervised assessment and treatment of patients in the clinical environment. You will apply your knowledge of podiatric medicine and practice to provide professional, safe, and effective podiatric care for diverse clients. Elements of AHPRA’s professional capabilities for podiatrists will be used as the method of assessing your developing level of competency.

In your logbook you will document completion of the required number of clinical hours (91 hours) and this will also be recorded in InPlace.

Threshold Assessment:

In order to receive a grade for this assessment item, fulfilment of all clinical hours must be documented in your logbook and you must achieve the minimum pass level as indicated by a criterion-referenced assessment rubric mapped to AHPRA’s professional capabilities for podiatrists. You will be eligible for one reattempt at the minimum pass level, only when your achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level. You are advised to seek feedback on your performance from the unit coordinator prior to the reattempt.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

The Health Work Integrated Learning Support (WILS) team supports checking of mandatory documentation required for all student clinical placements.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in your exclusion from clinical activities. 

• Blue Card: A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (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 (https://qutvirtual4.qut.edu.au/group/student/jobs-and-careers/get-work-experience/blue-cards).
• Vaccine Preventable Diseases Evidence:  It is a mandatory requirement for students to be vaccinated against a number of vaccine preventable diseases. For more information, please refer to QUT Health students placements website.  
• 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. 

All documentation needs to be provided to Work Integrated Learning Support (via InPlace) before the commencement of clinical placements.

Specific disclosure: Students will be required to disclose specific personal or medical information where: 

• A medical condition or medication use may increase the risk of injury to yourself or others (e.g. use of sedative medications or communicable disease). 

Adjustments may be required for a disability, injury, health condition or pregnancy (e.g. access to facilities, manual tasks such as scalpel work or orthosis fabrication, working with chemicals). 

Please seek advice about disclosure from your Disability Advisor. Refer to Disability Services homepage for information. 

Further information regarding WIL policies and procedures, such as health and safety, risk management, confidentiality, intellectual property, disclosure and insurance, are available via the QUT Health student placements website. 

Blue Card

A blue card is required to complete this unit. 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.

Costs

Course costs for the Bachelor of Podiatry include:

Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations in addition to uniform and suitable footwear, First Aid and CPR Certificate that includes AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and anaphylaxis training, blue card, criminal history check and podiatry instruments kit.

$1000-$1500

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Michaud, T. (2011). Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders . (ISBN: 1979528799 )

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit will involve lab-based and clinic-based sessions in on campus clinic facilities. You will be required to attend a mandatory induction session in Orientation week and/or 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 outlined in the Policies and Procedures documentation must be worn at all times in the laboratories (e.g. face mask, goggles/face shield, lab coat) along with 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 a blood borne virus) are outlined in the policies and procedures manuals for podiatry students. You are expected to comply with these procedures and guidelines at all times.

Further information regarding policies and procedures, such as health and safety, risk management, confidentiality, intellectual property, disclosure and insurance, are available via the Health student placements site.