Program Overview

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Introduction to POD213 Clinical Podiatric Practice

This subject further develops skills and knowledge in the context of preliminary podiatric clinical practice, with a focus on cutaneous pathology from a holistic perspective. Students will undertake the assessment and management of clients with cutaneous pathology, in negotiation with clinical educators. Learning will be facilitated through participation in clinical sessions and tutorials, and students will also develop knowledge and skills in practice management, including reception duties, stock control, and instrument sterilisation.

Availability

The subject is available in Session 2, with 60 students on campus at the Albury-Wodonga Campus.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The subject duration is one session.

School

The subject is offered by the School of Community Health.

Enrolment Restrictions

Enrolment is restricted to Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine and Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours) students only.

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for this subject is POD203.

Incompatible Subjects

The subject is incompatible with POD201 and POD211.

Learning Outcomes

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

• demonstrate competency in performing routine skin and nail care
• efficiently and accurately take a patient history and complete relevant documentation
• describe the aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and critically discuss the management of tinea pedis, verrucae pedis, hyperhydrosis, bromodrosis, and pitted keratolysis
• conduct a clinical assessment, interpret local and systemic findings relating to cutaneous pathology, and appropriately report the findings
• develop and review a management plan for a patient with cutaneous pathology
• demonstrate the ability to identify changes in a client's health status and report these to a clinical educator
• accurately perform and interpret neurological and vascular assessments
• develop communication skills when providing a holistic presentation of a client's assessment and management plan
• identify and demonstrate safe working practices
• demonstrate the ability to work independently within a limited scope of practice

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• management of low-risk clients in the on-campus clinic
• clinical tutorials to develop skills and knowledge in client management
• clinic management, including appointment scheduling, medical information management, and infection control procedures
• clinical consumables
• aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation, and comprehensive management of various cutaneous pathologies
• principles of case management and clinical problem-solving
• professional communication and professional behaviour
• footwear assessment and prescription
• prescription and construction of chairside devices

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a compulsory 11-day workplace learning component, which includes:

• half a day per week for 12 weeks in the on-campus clinic
• 35 hours of workplace learning at an external private podiatric practice

Special Resources

Students will be required to undertake 35 hours of workplace learning at an external private practice, with travel, accommodation, and other costs borne by the student.