UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit, students develop their clinical assessment skills particularly in musculoskeletal foot and ankle examinations and to interpret results, differentiate findings and implement patient specific, patient centered management plans with adherence to clinical protocols. Students implement treatments in a 'hand-on' conservative manner in a safe and efficient way to integrate podiatric practice principles and theoretical concepts as part of evidence based management plans which integrate knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic and therapeutic principles of conditions commonly affecting the foot and ankle. Students will engage in experiential learning in a variety of clinical settings, to develop these clinical assessment and manual dexterity skills, to progress their clinical knowledge and to continue development of professional attitudes, behaviours and communication. Students are engage in learning and applying therapeutic management of podiatric patients. Students apply knowledge of biomechanics to develop their understanding of the human gait cycle as relevant to podiatry practice. Student also apply theories of orthotic theory, interpretation of biomechanical principles and orthotic design to manage common conditions affecting the foot and ankle, by demonstrate developing psychomotor skills in foot orthoses manufacture. Students also integrate their theoretical understanding of professional behaviour into practice to; promote professionalism, resilience, religious, social and cultural awareness and diversity, to outline some challenges to professionalism, demonstrate objective self-reflection and insight to recognise own personal values, well-being and difficulties and access support services when necessary, and comply with ethical and medicolegal requirements and responsibilities,

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, work integrated learning settings and UWA on-site clinic

; (2) conduct clinical assessments, interpret results and differentiate findings with adherence to clinical protocols; applying safe practice principles within the WIL and on-site UWA clinic; utilising emerging skills of a reflective practitioner; (3) integrate knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic and therapeutic principles to implement evidence based management plans for common conditions affecting the foot and ankle; including the principles of safe practice; (4) demonstrate developing 'hands-on' conservative treatment of common foot conditions; applying safe practice principles within the WIL and on-site UWA clinic

; (5) apply orthotic theory, interpretation of biomechanical principles and orthotic design to manage common conditions affecting the foot and ankle; (6) demonstrate developing psychomotor skills in foot orthoses manufacture; (7) apply knowledge of biomechanics to develop understanding of the normal human gait cycle as relevant to podiatry practice; (8) demonstrate developing therapeutic management of patients, including the use of ESM's; and (9) demonstrate developing knowledge of shared care arrangements the need for referrals to other health professionals and carers, aged care and disability support workers.

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 examination(s), 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

Unit rules

Prerequisites

(a)
Enrolment in

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine 91870, and (b)

successful completion of

PODI3114 Podiatric Biomechanics (ID 7820) PODI3116 Clinical Podiatric Practice 2 (ID 7822) PODI3117 Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists 1 (ID 7823) PODI3118 Research and Evidence in Practice (ID 7840) PODI3000 Professionalism in Practice (ID 7835)

Co-requisites

PODI4221 Podiatric Populations 1 (ID 7836) PODI4223 Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists 2 (ID 7838) PODI4224 Research Project Planning (ID 7839)

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) Transport costs associated with attending field trips and placements (estimated cost - up to $500)
(2) 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.