Description The unit builds on fundamentals of pathophysiology and podiatry specific units to understand and manage the impact of systemic disease on foot health. The unit specifically investigates pathology associated with the 'high risk foot' including lower extremity manifestations associated with vascular, endocrine, neurological pathology and immunosuppression. This unit aims to develop comprehensive, coherent and connected knowledge to assist making informed decisions and contribute to sustainable change and improvements in health care for people with systemic disease, with particularly emphasis on diabetes and wound management.
School Health Sciences
Discipline Podiatry
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp
Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.
Restrictions Students must be enrolled in 4708 Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine and 4709 Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours). This subject builds on previous podiatry specific clinical and theory subjects
Assumed Knowledge
All core subjects are assumed knowledge - 400868 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, 400869 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2, 300574 Neuroanatomy400981 Clinical Pharmacology, 400138 Pathophysiology 1.
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Critique the anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological differences of the arterial, venous, lymphatic and microvascular systems and discern between the diseases of these systems and their consequences in the lower extremity.
Execute a thorough examination of the lower extremity vasculature, diagnose vascular status, recognise limitations of these examinations during interpretation of results and instigate an appropriate management plan.
Appraise the structure and function of specific functional units of the nervous system, demonstrate knowledge of a range of neurological and neuromotor disorders and explore treatment options available with an emphasis on the role of the podiatrist in the interdisciplinary health care team.
Describe the physiological mechanisms of wound healing, in the presence or absence of normal physiological response and thorough examination and investigations and ascertain the underlying causes of the wound, and generate and implement appropriate strategies to return the tissues to their most functional levels by addressing both the wound and the underlying causes.
Discuss the physiological basis of the clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus as it affects multiple organ and functional systems by performing appropriate examinations (vascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, dermatological and psychosocial).
Diagnose, evaluate and treat the foot conditions presented by the person with diabetes mellitus, in particular dermal ulcers and explain the role of physical therapies, particularly footwear and orthotic therapy in the ongoing patient management, and health education and promotion strategies.
Define a range of conditions associated with impaired carbohydrate metabolism, including gestational diabetes, and impaired glucose tolerance; and be familiar with the syndrome Diabetes Insipidus for purposes of client education and communication with the allied health team.
Appraise the common causes of immunosuppression affecting the at-risk foot and generate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of those infectious diseases which are of particular importance in the practice of podiatry.
Evaluate possible routes of transmission of infectious diseases with particular emphasis on cross infection and discuss and implement universal precautions in clinical practice settings.
Determine the impact of infectious disease on the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of the individual.
1.Vascular Pathologies and Wound Healing
a). Arterial pathology
- Review of normal arterial structure and function
- Aetiological and Risk Factors in The development of macrovascular disease
- pathophysiology of Inflammatory and sclerotic changes of macrovascular disease
- clinical manifestations and health outcomes of macrovascular pathology in The leg
- assessment concepts and skills in The identification of macrovascular disease
- limitations in The assessment and interpretation of instrumental macrovascular assessment
- treatment of macrovascular disease, Conservative, pharmaceutical, and surgical
- podiatric case management of The patient with macrovascular disease
- pathophysiology of microvascular disease and dysfunction
b). Venous pathology
- Review of normal structure, function and haemodynamics of The Venous system
- Venous hypertensive syndromes through stasis and obstruction in The Venous system
- consequences of deep Venous hypertension (oedematous syndromes, ulceration, dermatitis and superficial varicosities)
- management of obstructive conditions and deep Venous hypertension (Conservative, pharmaceutical and surgical)
- management of The consequences of deep Venous hypertension, with particular references to ulcerative States
2. Neurology
- Review of The Anatomy of The neurological structure, motor and Sensory tracts and neurotransmitters
- Overview of The assessment of clinical and medical conditions in relation to The Upper and Lower motor neurone disorders and presentations
- Overview of neurological conditions affecting The Lower limb including
- adulthood (hereditary, Freidrichss ataxia, Huntingtons)
- Trauma (CVA /TIA, head injury, tumours)
- management of neurological conditions in patients with diabetes
- Infective (Meningitis)
- Poliomyelitis (Acute and Old), Syphilis (Tabes Dorsalis)
- Degenerative (Parkinsonism, multiple Sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Alzheimers)
- Neuromuscular (Myasthenia Gravis, Muscular dystrophies, Epilepsy grand mal, petit mal, focal / Jacksonian epilepsy, Nutritional, Sub-acute combined degeneration of the cord)
3. Wound healing
- Review The physiology of Wound healing in normal and pathologic States
- Inflammation and The Wound microenvironment
- Diagnosis of wounds according to multifactorial aetiologies
- identifying, and controlling Factors which are detrimental to Wound healing (optimising The Wound healing environment)
- Wound debriding agents, cleansing agents and dressings - The range including Factors in The choice and application of Wound care products
- case management of Wound pathology
4. Diabetes
- Defining diabetes mellitus - Aetiological Factors and The signs and Symptoms in The development of diabetes
- The physiology of carbohydrate metabolism, with particular emphasis on The role of insulin and The Classification of conditions associated with impaired glucose metabolism and The role of advanced glycaemic end products (Age) in The Complications of diabetes mellitus
- Diagnosing The condition, Examination of The vascular and Nervous systems with An emphasis on The peripheral Nervous system and diagnostic skills including investigative procedures and clinical urinalysis
- Complications of diabetes
a). Morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus
- macrovascular pathology and microvascular dysfunction in diabetes, neurological pathology, including Neuropathic arthropathy, pathological changes to The Inflammatory response, ulceration, infection and gangrene in The diabetic patient
b). Treatment
- controlling blood sugars in diabetes, insulin, oral hypoglycaemia agents, diet, lifestyle and Exercise
- diabetic emergencies - identification and treatment of hypo and hyperglycaemia
- Podiatric treatment of the patient with diabetes - modifications and precautions during routine primary care management of ulcerations, infections and gangrene, orthotic therapy and footwear modification
- principles of health education and promotion - The role of The podiatrist, and strategies for functioning within A multidisciplinary health care team
c). Other diabetic st
Legislative pre-requisites
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Prerequisites
Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.
To be eligible to enrol in this subject and complete any required health-related placements or experiences, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.
Western Program Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
Item
Length
Percent
Threshold
Individual/Group Task
Viva Voce
15 minutes
50
N
Individual
Intra-session Exam
60 mins
20
N
Individual
Case Study
Poster style presentation using designated template