Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401184

Coordinator Viv Chuter Opens in new window

Description The subject builds on fundamentals of pathophysiology and podiatry specific subjects to understand and manage the impact of systemic disease on foot health. The subject specifically investigates pathology associated with the 'high risk foot' including lower extremity manifestations associated with vascular, endocrine, neurological pathology and immunosuppression. This subject 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 fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 4 subject

Pre-requisite(s) REHA 2003 AND
REHA 2007 AND
NATS 2038

Co-requisite(s) REHA 3028

Incompatible Subjects REHA 7026 - Podiatric Techniques 3C

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 - NATS1009 (400868) Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, NATS1010 (400869) Human Anatomy and Physiology 2, NATS3037 (300754) Neuroanatomy, NATS2008 (400981) Clinical Pharmacology, NATS 2038 (401407) Pathophysiology 1

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Analyse the physiological basis of clinical manifestations of chronic diseases associated with the high-risk foot across multiple organs and body systems.
2. Perform a thorough and safe examination of vascular and neurological function of the foot and lower extremity and interpret the results in the context of disease and test limitations 
3. Develop and implement appropriate management plans for conditions affecting the high-risk foot with an emphasis on the role of the podiatrist in the interdisciplinary health care team’
4. Analyse the aetiologies of wounds and wound chronicity in the foot and lower extremity and the principles of effective wound management.
5. Describe acute and chronic infections affecting the foot and lower extremity including microbial aetiology and effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological management. 
6. Critique the impact of social and cultural determinants of health on access to foot care services and foot health outcomes in the context of the high-risk foot. 
7. Discuss applications of digital health as it relates to the high risk foot from clinical and research perspectives

Subject Content

1.Vascular Pathologies and Wound Healing
Arterial pathology:

• Review of normal arterial structure and function
• Aetiological and risk factors in the development of macrovascular disease
• Pathophysiology of imacrovascular 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

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 

Assessment concepts and skills in the identification of neurological disease

• Limitations in the assessment and interpretation of neurological assessment
• Treatment of neurological disease. 

3. Wound healing:

• Review the physiology of wound healing in normal and pathologic states
• Diagnosis of wounds according to multifactorial aetiologies

Evidence based wound management

• Case management of wound pathology

4. Diabetes

• Defining diabetes mellitus - aetiological factors and the signs and symptoms in the development of diabetes
• Pathophysiology of diabetes.
• Diabetes related complications diagnosis and management 

Interdisciplinary care for the management of diabetes and diabetes related foot disease

• Principles of health education and promotion - the role of the podiatrist, and strategies for functioning within a multidisciplinary health care team

5. Advanced diagnostic techniques for lower extremity complication

• The role of digital health high risk foot research and clinical practice 

6. Inequities in chronic disease related foot health care access and outcomes

•  Foot disease in priority populations including people living in rural and remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• Cultural and social determinants contributing to foot disease outcomes

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites