CSB533 Podiatric Medicine 3

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit in which you will complete clinical placements in the QUT Podiatry Clinic. Clinical experiences build upon the prerequisite clinical placement unit, with increasing complexity and diversity of case mix. You will utilise your developing knowledge and skills in podiatric medicine to develop person-centred management plans, including general foot care, mechanical therapies and rehabilitation modalities. The unit content further develops your knowledge of common foot and ankle pathologies encountered in podiatric practice and strategies for safe, effective and individualised management planning, and integrates with content from other units such as pharmacotherapeutics, medicine, sports medicine and diagnostic imaging.

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. Critically analyse pathomechanical foot function, musculoskeletal pathology and common injuries of the lower limb to solve clinical problems
2. Interpret patient information based on reliable, accurate and evidence informed assessment, developing diagnostic reasoning skills
3. Plan and safely implement assessment and person-centred management of lower limb pathology, incorporating appropriate mechanical interventions and digital capabilities
4. Practice professional interpersonal communication skills and cultural capability in working with diverse client groups
5. Reflect on sustainable and ethical podiatric practice, engaging in self and peer evaluation of professional capabilities, working within legal and regulatory frameworks

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you will learn through engaging in clinical placement (Work Integrated Learning) in the QUT Health Clinics, with clinical sessions including comprehensive patient assessment, general foot care, and management of musculoskeletal lower limb conditions. You will gain proficiency in undertaking professional and administrative responsibilities using patient management software. You will reflect on stewardship of health care resources and sustainable and ethical practice, through compilation of your clinical logbook and reflection on feedback from clinical educators.

Your Work Integrated Learning experiences will be supported by lectures and practical sessions, facilitating your understanding of diagnosis, assessment and management of musculoskeletal lower limb conditions. Practical sessions in the on-site orthoses manufacturing laboratory will incorporate the use of industry-relevant digital technologies, with an emphasis on 3D scanning to accurately capture foot morphology. You will develop your skills for orthoses prescription and manufacturing under direct supervision in practical classes. Case studies representing diverse cultural perspectives will be discussed with peers and teaching staff. Workshops and resources developed by the Student Success Group are embedded within this unit to support your success in performance-based clinical exams.

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. Feedback on your understanding of theoretical concepts will be provided via online multiple choice quiz questions.

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.

There are two 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 and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as demonstrating 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: 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.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

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 (90 hours) and this will also be recorded in InPlace.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

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

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.

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 and evidence immune serology 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

Safety and protective equipment

Podiatry clinic uniform and compliant footwear

Other

Podiatry instruments kit

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.

Course Learning Outcomes

CS44 Bachelor of Podiatry

1. Critically evaluate and integrate specialised discipline knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
   Relates to: Orthoses practical exam
2. 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: Placement performance and logbook
3. Implement safe and effective assessment and management of patients, using highly developed clinical and technical skills, exercising reflexive, ethical, sustainable and culturally responsive practice, within regulatory and legal frameworks.
   Relates to: Orthoses practical exam, Placement performance and logbook
4. 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: Placement performance and logbook
5. Leads self and others in reflective practice and lifelong learning, recognizing and addressing own biases, seeking and responding to feedback, engaging in evidence-based practice, fostering a culture of peer support and mentoring, alongside a curious, agile, resilient and entrepreneurial mindset.
   Relates to: Placement performance and logbook

CS46 Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)

1. Critically evaluate and integrate advanced specialised knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
   Relates to: Orthoses practical exam
2. 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: Placement performance and logbook
3. Implement safe and effective assessment and management of patients, using highly developed clinical and technical skills, exercising reflexive, ethical, sustainable and culturally responsive practice, within regulatory and legal frameworks.
   Relates to: Orthoses practical exam, Placement performance and logbook
4. 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: Placement performance and logbook
5. Leads self and others in reflective practice and lifelong learning, recognizing and addressing own biases, seeking and responding to feedback, contributing to evidence-based solutions, fostering a culture of peer support and mentoring, alongside a curious, agile, resilient and entrepreneurial mindset.
   Relates to: Placement performance and logbook