UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This practicum unit focuses on peri-operative patient management and implementing surgical plans based on clinical findings. Students will provide mentorship to general podiatry students as they attend surgical clinics as part of their training. This unit builds on PODI6533 and aims to develop surgical skills with a forefoot and midfoot focus such as digital arthrodesis, digital arthroplasty, cheilectomy, neurectomy, tenotomy, other soft tissue procedures as well as first ray procedures; including distal, mid and proximal shaft hallux abductovalgus correction, hallux limitus/rigidus correction, flatfoot correction, management of osteoarthritis and fractures with an introduction to fixation principles. Students will contiune developing communication skills through various methods such as oral case presentations to their peers, reflective logbooks, written assignments as well as patient interaction and communication with various healthcare professionals. This unit continues to build on the therapeutic concepts taught in the foundations units of the course and aims to expose students to various clinical scenarios where therapeutic management is safely implemented.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) understand detailed anatomical structures of the first ray, second ray, digits, neuroma, and medial ankle; (2) identify gold-standard surgical interventions and compare traditional vs emerging surgical techniques and their indications; (3) describe the step-by-step procedure for osteotomies, fusions, tendon transfers, and soft tissue releases; (4) evaluate fixation methods including plates, screws, K-wires, suture anchors, bio-absorbable implants, and intramedullary devices; (5) understand the role of 3D-printed implants, biologics, and cartilage restoration in foot surgery; (6) identify complications and revision strategies for failed forefoot procedures with emphasis on the role of post operative protocols; (7) demonstrate proficiency in forefoot surgical principles while expanding knowledge and clinical reasoning into midfoot and rearfoot procedures, integrating advanced surgical techniques and decision-making to enhance overall competency in foot and ankle surgery

; (8) apply critical thinking and decision-making skills in challenging theatre situations

; (9) engage in ongoing self-reflection to address power imbalances in healthcare

; (10) demonstrate initiative in clinical responsibilities under supervision, demonstrating reliability and independence; (11) engage in decision-making by balancing operative risks and benefits, engaging in shared decision-making with patients, families, and geriatric specialists to ensure patient-centred care; (12) demonstrate risk reporting and management in line with legislative and regulatory requirements on clinical governance in the NSQHS standards; (13) articulate safe therapeutic management of patients in line with legislative and regulatory requirements of the medication safety standard and Quality Use of Medicines; and (14) create and implement actionable learning plans based on reflective analysis, setting measurable goals to improve clinical performance and teamwork in surgical settings..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignment/s; (2) clinical assessment/s; (3) written assessment/s; and (4) professional behaviour assessment/s. 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, written assessment/s, and professional behaviour assessment/s components.

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

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Burke Hugo

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

the Doctor of Podiatric Surgery (91830)
and PODI5511 Foundations of Podiatric Surgery 1 (ID 3775) PODI5512 Foundations of Podiatric Surgery 2 (ID 3776) PODI5513 Concepts of Podiatric Surgery (ID 3777) PODI5514 Podiatric Medicine Practicum (ID 3778) PODI5515 Introduction to surgical skills (ID3779) PODI6531 Surgical Practicum 1A (ID 3787) PODI6532 Surgical Practicum 1B (ID3788) PODI6533 Surgical Practicum 1C (ID 3789) PODI6534 Surgical Practicum 2A (ID 3790)

Co-requisites

PODI6574 Podiatric Research 4 (ID 7861)

Contact hours

Clinical placement: ~100 hours / semester

Texts

McGlamry’s foot and ankle surgery, 5th edition [Authors: Brian Carpenter. Editors: Michelle L. Butterworth, William D. Fishco, John T. Marcoux, Daniel F. Vickers, Ovid Technologies Inc.]

McGlamry’s comprehensive textbook of foot and ankle surgery, 4th Edition. [Authors: E. Dalton McGlamry, Joe T. Southerland]

The Foot and Ankle: Master Techniques in Podiatric Surgery, 1st Edition. [Author: Thomas K. Chang]

Foot and Ankle. 2nd Edition. [Author: David Thordarson]