CSN501 Podiatric Therapeutics


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 Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:CSN501
Credit points:24
Pre-requisite:CSN500
Assumed Knowledge:

Nil

Coordinator:Steven Walmsley | steven.walmsley@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This work integrated learning (WIL) unit is the second in the Podiatric Therapeutics course, building on theoretical concepts from Clinical Therapeutics for Health (CSN500) and requiring a sound understanding of physiology, disease processes, medicine pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. Effective prescribing places patients at the centre of care, enabling shared decision-making and supporting concordance. Podiatrists make prescribing decisions considering person-centred, legal, ethical, financial, pharmacological and medical factors before planning and implementing management. Culturally responsive prescribing is central, focusing on safe, effective medication uses of diverse population, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The unit develops students' ability to apply these principles in clinical decision-making and interprofessional practice. 

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Utilise high-level communication skills in prescribing consultations to elicit relevant medical, clinical and pharmacological histories, appropriate to the person's presenting features, social and cultural context, ensuring culturally safe practices and informed consent for management including the use of therapeutic agents
  2. Synthesise advanced knowledge and specialized skills to initiate and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests, safely perform examinations, generate and explore diagnoses, based on evidence-based contemporary guidelines and resources
  3. Construct and justify safe and effective person-centred and culturally responsive management plans, utilising professional reasoning and decision making skills and cultural capabilities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
  4. Effectively collaborate with other relevant practitioners involved in the care of patients within contemporary, interprofessional health care settings and diverse populations, to achieve optimal outcomes within a sustainable hearth care system
  5. Plan, safely implement and evaluate person-centred management plans in partnership with the patient, using pharmaceutical products safely within scope of practice and in accordance with relevant regulatory and legislative frameworks
  6. Engage with progressive learning and reflective practice in the context of podiatry prescribing, including self-reflection on cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health perspectives, for continuous quality improvement.

Content

This capstone unit encourages you to bring together your prior learning of pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, anatomy and pathophysiology, integrating and synthesising with your advanced knowledge of podiatric medicine via Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences in the QUT Health Clinic and external clinical placement sites. Key elements emphasised in content and assessment include:

  • Professional and ethical clinical practice, using pharmaceutical products safely within scope of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and how these influence consultation management, patient enablement, and prescribing decisions.
  • Development of decision-making skills relevant to the pharmacotherapeutic management of podiatric conditions
  • Interprofessional collaboration in contemporary and diverse health care settings
  • Reflective practice and lifelong learning skills, accessing contemporary evidence-based resources to support prescribing decisions and career development

 

These elements relate to AHPRA’s Professional Capabilities for Podiatrists, the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards and the National Prescribing Service(NPS). Competency Standards. Students are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia, which recognises these capabilities as the minimum standards for professional practice.

Learning Approaches

This unit includes Work Integrated Learning activities at the QUT Health Clinic and external placement sites. Your WIL experiences will be supported via a blended learning approach utilising the online learning management system (Canvas). A range of online learning resources will support your attainment of the prescribing competencies, including pre-recorded lectures, prescribed readings, links to key databases and guidelines, and multimedia resources.

In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:

  • Weekly online tutorial discussions
  • Online case simulations involving complex scenarios, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health contexts, to develop prescribing capabilities through review of management approaches taken by a range of clinicians with prescribing authorisation.
  • On-campus clinical block placement including face-to- face workshops and patient consultations
  • External clinical placements including observation and participation in contemporary prescribing environments with patients requiring pharmacotherapeutic management, utilising digital health technologies (e.g. telehealth, eHealth records)
  • Completion of an online portfolio to evidence the development and  achievement of each prescribing competency, including the development of culturally responsive management and decision-making skills

 Students are expected to:

  •  Engage with online meetings, learning modules and discussion boards to connect with peers and teaching staff
  • Read widely, think critically and reflect on the nature and scope of prescribing practice by podiatrists working in contemporary interprofessional environments with diverse populations
  • Proactively seek support from the unit coordinator and WIL support staff to arrange self-directed clinical placements

 This unit requires compulsory attendance at on-campus and off-campus clinical placements (120 hours), and any absence from clinical placements will reduce the opportunity for development of your prescribing capabilities. Where absence is due to special or unforeseeable circumstances independently supported by documentation (e.g. medical certificate), make-up clinical placements 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.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative feedback on your progress in this unit will include self and supervisor reflections on your achievement of sills with reference to relevant professional capabilities. Feedback will occur on a weekly basis via online tutorial discussions and via participation in online case simulations and interactive online learning modules. As you develop your portfolio in consultation with your clinical supervisors, they will provide direction and suggestions for improvement of your performance in preparation for the final Placement Performance anted Portfolio assessment. 

you will be provided with written feedback on your performance on each assessment item. 

Assessment

Overview

This unit has three assessment items that will allow you to demonstrate achievement of the unit learning outcomes. The first item of assessment requires you to submit a written response to a series of online case studies, which will be submitted mid-semester enabling you to receive feedback that will help you prepare for further assessment items. You will then be assessed on your Placement Performance and Portfolio, which will be compiled throughout the semester and submitted at the end of semester. Finally you will undertake a Viva Voce assessment which will enable you to demonstrate clinical decision-making and safe practice via case discussion with examiners.

Threshold assessment conditions

You must submit all assessment items to a satisfactory level and complete all mandatory clinical placement requirements in order to achieve an overall passing grade for this unit.

 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Online Case Studies

As a podiatrist endorsed for scheduled medicines, you will be authorised to prescribe medicines for foot and related lower limb conditions, working with patients from diverse cultural and clinical backgrounds in a range of different health care settings. Several case studies in this assessment involve culturally diverse patients, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. You will be assessed on your written responses to 15 online case studies, demonstrating our ability to synthesise knowledge and skills for culturally responsive, safe and person-centred prescribing practice with relevant regulatory and legislative frameworks. 

Use of Generative AI

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is recommended for understanding assessment instructions, organising preliminary ideas, performing background information searches, and refining spelling and grammar. Generative AI may assist in improving the clarity and flow of written language without replacing the student’s analytical or critical thinking processes.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Threshold Assessment:

If you do not achieve satisfactory performance, you will be permitted one resubmission at the minimum pass level, only when your achieved grade is within 10% 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.

Weight: 30
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 5

Assessment: Placement Performance and Portfolio

You will engage in on-campus and self-directed off campus clinical placements, observing and participating in prescribing and medication administration activities with qualified prescribers involved in the management of podiatric conditions. You will critically appraise and reflect on these activities in alignment with the Prescribing Competencies.  Framework including consideration of culturally safe and person-centred practices. Your portfolio will document the completion of the required number of clinical hours (120 hours).

Use of Generative AI
This assessment is a verified identity assessment .
Access to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in this assessment is not available.

Threshold Assessment:

You will engage in on-campus and self-directed off campus clinical placements, observing and participating in prescribing and medication administration activities with qualified prescribers involved in the management of podiatric conditions. Critical appraisal of and reflection on these activities will be performed according
to the criteria of the Prescribing Competencies Framework. Your portfolio will document the competent completion of the required number of clinical hours (120 hours).

Use of Generative AI
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are NOT permitted in this assessment. This assessment is a
verified identity assessment, that is, an assessment capable of confirming that the student being assessed undertook the assessment work. Access to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are not available for the duration of this assessment.

Weight: 30
Length: 120 hours
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Portfolio completed over the course of the semester.
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Assessment: Viva voce

As a podiatrist endorsed for scheduled medicines, you will be required to utilise high-level communication skills to effectively collaborate with other relevant practitioners involved in patient care. In this assessment item you will justify safe, effective, person-centred and culturally responsive prescribing decisions, in a viva
voce examination with an interprofessional panel of examiners with prescribing expertise.

Use of Generative AI
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are NOT permitted in this assessment.
This assessment is a verified identity assessment, that is, an assessment capable of confirming that the student being assessed undertook the assessment work. Access to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are not available for the duration of this assessment.

Threshold Assessment:

You must achieve the minimum pass level as indicated by a criterion-referenced assessment rubric mapped
to the NPS Prescribing Competencies Framework. 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.

Weight: 40
Length: 30 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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

It is a requirement for enrolment in this unit that you are have a recognised bachelor degree in podiatry or equivalent and current registration with AHPRA as a podiatrist.

It is a requirement of QUT Health Clinics - Podiatry that all students undertaking supervised practice in the QUT Health Clinics comply with the placement requirements listed below.  Off-campus clinic facilities may also require students to meet these requirements before commencing supervised practice in the facility.  

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 Faculty of Health's website (https://qutvirtual4.qut.edu.au/group/health/faculty-of-health).

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).

Specific religious or cultural requirements need to be considered (e.g. clothing which may interfere with safe use of equipment)


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

Students are responsible for meeting the costs associated with attending clinical placements, including any travel or accommodation expenses. Students are also responsible for maintaining professional registration and other mandatory requirements for clinical placements as described above.

Resources

Examples of key learning resources are listed below.  Additional learning resources will be provided throughout the semester via the Canvas site.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

MIMS (Current edition). Sydney: MIMS Australia and UBM Media Pty Ltd. (electronic version available via QUT Library)

Australian Medicines Handbook (current edition). Adelaide, S.A.: AMH Pty Ltd. (electronic version available via QUT Library).

NPS MedicineWise Prescribing Competencies (current edition).

Queensland Medicines and Poisons (Medicines Regulation) 2021. Available at: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2021-0140

eTG complete. Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. (electronic version available via QUT Library).

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit will involve clinic-based sessions in on-campus and off-campus clinic facilities. For the on-campus component, all students will be required to attend the induction sessions prior to the commencement of the intensive, 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. Closed in footwear and professional dress is required during clinic sessions. This unit involves contact with patients, and risks associated with the clinical environment (e.g. scalpel injury and exposure to patients with vaccine preventable diseases) are outlined in the policies and procedures manuals for podiatry students. Students are expected to comply with these procedures and guidelines at all times.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

CS30 Graduate Certificate in Podiatric Therapeutics

  1. Critically examine biomedical science and professional practice, as applied in pharmacotherapeutics, safe prescribing, and quality use of medicines and therapeutics, within the legislated scope of podiatric practice.
    Relates to: Online Case Studies, Placement Performance and Portfolio, Viva voce
  2. Formulate diagnoses with a person-centred and culturally responsive approach, applying advanced critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information for prescribing.
    Relates to: Online Case Studies, Placement Performance and Portfolio, Viva voce
  3. Construct strategies with high level independent judgments, to plan, safely implement and evaluate the prescribing process, including the communication of best practice therapeutic interventions to patients, carers and other health professionals.
    Relates to: Online Case Studies, Placement Performance and Portfolio, Viva voce
  4. Utilise advanced oral and written communication skills in prescribing, including digital innovations, to collaborate with diverse professional teams, conveying complex information and working effectively within a sustainable health care system, capitalising on opportunities for career development.
    Relates to: Online Case Studies, Placement Performance and Portfolio, Viva voce
  5. Safely practice podiatric therapeutics with personal accountability, within ethical and legal frameworks, engaging with progressive learning and reflective practice for continuous quality improvement, consistent with the principles of quality use of medicines.
    Relates to: Online Case Studies, Placement Performance and Portfolio