Description The broad aim of this subject is to introduce the work of podiatrists in health care and explain the important role of podiatric services in the community. Students will develop basic skills in dealing with professional, legislative and health issues. The focus will primarily be on areas designed to prepare students for incorporating the clinical standards for infection control and general clinical assessment skills in preparation for competent and safe practice in clinical subjects.
School Health Sciences
Discipline Podiatry
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp
Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.
Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject
Restrictions
Podiatry specific - students will be participating in podiatry related knowledge and skills that apply to podiatric practice subjects and designed to be an integrated part of the suite of subjects where one subject builds upon the competencies that complement subjects in Year 2, 3 and 4.
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Identify the roles of podiatry in the health care setting.
Define and describe the aetiology of common skin and nail disorders in the clinical setting.
Discuss the relevance of clinical skills in assessment of foot problems and historical background of treatment including footwear.
Explain and demonstrate the relevant skills in assessing dermatological, vascular, and neurological status in the normal population.
Identify the importance of lower extremity biomechanics and gait analysis in a health care environment.
Discuss and apply the framework of infection control standards in the health care environment.
Describe the management of patient data.
Identify the legal and professional standards associated with documentation in clinical settings
1. History of podiatry
- from The inception to The present day
2. Role of podiatry in healthcare
- sole practitioner and multidisciplinary teams
3. Introduction to podiatric conditions and assessment
- broad Overview of The structure and function of The skin
- introduction to common dermatological conditions of podiatric significance, including Tinea, hyperkeratosis, hyper/hypohydrosis, corns, callus, warts and nail conditions
- introduction to Basic vascular, neurological, Biomechanical assessment techniques and gait analysis
- introduction to patient history taking principles, focusing on communication skills, obtaining relevant information (objective and subjective), maintaining patient Confidentiality
4. National policy and legislation
- Overview of Registration
- professional Legislation
- documentation and legal requirements
- infection control theory and policy - Overview of Sterilisation, disinfection and antiseptic techniques
5. Footwear
- historical and social Overview
- components of A shoe
- types of shoes
- effects of shoes on function
- Basic assessment of footwear
Assessment
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.
Type
Length
Percent
Threshold
Individual/Group Task
Quiz
2 x 1 hour
40
N
Individual
Final Exam
2 hours
60
N
Individual
Professional Task
All Tutorials
S/U
Y
Individual
NSW Health ComplianceTask
Not applicable
S/U
N
Individual
Prescribed Texts
Frowen, P., O'Donnell, M., Lorimer, D. L., & Burrow, G. (Eds.). (2010). Neale's disorders of the foot (8th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
