Program Overview

Introduction to Podiatric Clinical Practice

The subject POD112 Introduction to Podiatric Clinical Practice enables students to develop a foundational knowledge of podiatric clinical practice. Students will be introduced to the concept of control of cross infection and the relevance of hand hygiene and instrument sterilisation.

Subject Description

Students will have the opportunity to observe and to undertake initial patient assessment, in both simulated and real clinical settings. Students will also develop practical treatment skills to enable the basic management of common podiatric conditions. This subject provides students with the knowledge to differentiate between normal and abnormal clinical presentations of a range of common conditions including neurological, vascular, basic anatomical/orthopaedic, and dermatological conditions.

Availability

• Session 2 (60)
• On Campus: Albury-Wodonga Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

• HD/FL

Duration

• One session

School

• School of Community Health

Enrolment Restrictions

• Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine; Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours)

Prerequisites

• POD109

Incompatible Subjects

• POD111

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to describe the national health priorities and their relevance to podiatry practice
• be able to differentiate normal from abnormal parameters in a range of common cutaneous pathology through description of aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management
• be able to assess neurological, vascular, musculoskeletal and cutaneous systems and accurately record findings in a clinical record, in a simulated setting
• be able to perform routine skin and nail care without constant supervision, in a simulated setting
• be able to develop a management plan for clients with routine podiatric presentations
• be able to plan for sustainable practice in a clinical environment with due consideration of the practitioner, clients and other personnel
• be able to describe ethical, sustainable and evidence based practice when justifying and communicating management options for non-complex podiatric presentations
• be able to demonstrate appropriate methods for control of cross infection, instrument sterilisation and hand washing

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• National Health Priority Areas (4 weeks)
• Theories of diagnosis
• Ethical, safe and sustainable work practices (principles)
• Principles of control of cross infection, instrument sterilisation and hand washing
• Setting up a clinical space / podiatry equipment
• Assessment - neurological; vascular; musculoskeletal; cutaneous
• Assessment - joint range of motion (basic level)
• Introduction to scalpel skills
• Performing routine skin and nail care
• Developing management plans
• Consumables, padding and otoform
• Introduction to wounds, wound care and wound dressings

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 5 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component. Students are required to complete 35 hours of clinical practice as a participant-observer in the Community Engagement and Wellness Centre (CEW), these hours are spent working with 4th year students for peer assisted learning.

Special Resources

Students will incur costs in association with clinical practice (purchase of clinic uniform and assessment equipment); the one week external workplace learning experience.