UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit introduces students to the health care system and the role of podiatry in multidisciplinary teams and also provides the opportunity to build students' knowledge and skills in effective communication and ethical and legal responsibilities within the practice of clinical podiatric medicine. During lecture, workshop and laboratory sessions students are taught the principles of taking a patient history and are engaged in developing psychomotor skills demonstrating manual dexterity and appropriate ergonomics in pre-clinical simulation exercises and performing a podiatric physical examination, infection control skills and providing routine conservative care to simulated patients to practice podiatry safely, protect patient safety and maintain a safe workplace. The practitioner-patient relationship, professional communication, reflective practice, empathy, resilience and time management skills are introduced. The impact of historical, religious, cultural and social factors on migrant, refugee and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' health and health care is discussed. Students spend time observing patients being assessed and treated in hospital and/or private podiatry practice.

Students must abide by the Professional Behaviour Procedure set in out in the experiential work-place learning environments.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) display professional behaviour in the educational and clinical setting; (2) describe the role and scope of practice of the podiatrist within the health care system including relevant regulatory and legislative requirements; (3) identify and discuss aspects of public and population health, using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, migrant and refugee health in Australia, and discuss strategies for health maintenance, promotion, screening and disease prevention; (4) develop foundational professional communication skills in patient-centred clinical podiatric practice using simulation; (5) develop foundational psychomotor skills in pre-clinical simulation exercises including safe practice for the use of instruments and performing basic lower limb assessments; (6) describe using NSQHS and principles of infection prevention and control in podiatric practice and health care facilities; (7) demonstrate manual clinical skills in evidence based podiatric practice, by performing basic lower limb assessments and basic foot and ankle care; and (8) demonstrate learning and application of therapeutic management of patients.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignment(s); (2) examination(s); (3) clinical assessment(s); and (4) professional behaviour assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the clinical assessment(s) and professional behaviour assessment components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Matthew Keating and Dr Ashley Donoghue

Unit rules

Prerequisites

(1) a.
96 points credit including completion of all level 2 units in Major of Podiatric health and Medical Sciences Major (MJD-PHMSC).
or b.
Enrolment in

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine 91870.
and (2) students enrolling in this unit via the assured pathway MJD-PHMSC and/or the graduate entry DPM must comply with the requirements of the School's Infection Control, First Aid, Working with Children's check and Police Clearance check requirements prior to the commencement of Level 3 PODI units, as detailed in the DPM course rules.

Co-requisites

PODI3111 Body Systems 1 (ID 7818) PODI3113 Anatomy and Cutaneous Science (ID 7819) PODI3115 Body Systems 2 (ID 7821) PODI3000 Professionalism in Practice (ID 7835)

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
(1) Tool kit (podiatric instruments) (estimated cost - $350)
(2) Uniform (estimated cost - $100)
(3) ID badge (estimated cost - $15)
(4) Foot model (estimated cost - $140)
(5) "Replacement costs for borrowed equipment" (estimated cost - $20 - $5000).

Contact hours

Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning.