Recommended Study Sequence

This unit deals with foundational concepts and factors relating to population health in our society. Issues that determine both social and environmental aspects of disease, health and wellbeing will be examined. Contemporary problems impacting on states of health will be explored, including current day trends in communicable and non-communicable disease.

This is the first of two units covering systematic anatomy and physiology at an introductory level. This unit is designed to provide students especially those in applied health science programs with an overview of body systems and their functions to ensure a suitable basis for their future studies. The unit studies the basic concepts of biochemistry and histology, general anatomy and physiology of the major body systems such as central and peripheral nervous systems, integumentary system, musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles and joints), special senses and endocrine system. Emphasis will be placed on the interconnection and relationship between structure and function at every level of organisation.

The broad aim of this unit is to introduce the work of podiatrists in health care and explain the important role of podiatric services in the community. Students will develop basic skills in dealing with professional and health issues. The focus will primarily be on areas designed to prepare students for incorporating the correct clinical protocols for infection control and to identify relevant clinical skills involving dermatology, functional anatomy, gait, cursory examinations and communication.

This unit introduces skills for studying and working in health science. Students will gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature of health science practice in the 21st century, and how this interacts with the specialty health professions, client and community expectations of health care and employment opportunities in health science. Students will learn foundation competencies that will underpin their academic development and their safe, responsible and ethical practice in health science service environments.

This unit provides an introduction to the psychology of health and behaviour as relevant to the health sciences. Students will be introduced to the principles and applications of psychology and health behaviour using a developmental framework. This will be followed by an examination of the psychological aspects of injury and illness and an introduction to psychological interventions for health concerns. Emphasis is upon to understanding health status and behaviour in light of relevant theory and research.

This is the second of two units covering systematic anatomy and physiology at an introductory level. This unit is designed to provide students especially those in applied health science programs with an overview of body systems and their functions to ensure a suitable basis for their future studies. The unit studies the general anatomy and physiology of the major body systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive and lymphatic system/immunity, body fluids & acid-base balance and metabolism. Emphasis will be placed on the interconnection and relationship between structure and function at every level of organisation.

This unit will consider the reasons and roles of evidence-based practice and research, and introduce students to their language and core concepts. Skills will be developed for asking clinical or professional healthcare questions and to translate these into search strategies for finding evidence. To make sense of that evidence, students will be introduced to quantitative and qualitative research methods, types of data, how data is described and how biostatistics is used to provide meaning to research data.

Communication is integral to professional relationships, whether working individually with a client, educating community members on health matters, or working with other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. This unit aims to develop communication skills in preparation for work within the health professions across these areas. Communication skills will include those needed to form therapeutic relationships with individual clients and groups, as well as those required to communicate health information to clients, groups and the wider community. Students will develop skills to establish appropriate working relationships with professional colleagues.

The study of biomechanics, the science that examines the forces acting upon a structure and the effects of these forces, is essential for understanding how the human body moves during daily activities, exercise and sport. It is also important when considering where problems may arise with human movement, such as with disease processes, over exercising and injury and postural pathology. This unit is designed to introduce the student to biomechanics by studying: the mechanical principles of human movement: balance and equilibrium: mechanical factors involved in tissue type and motion; and the analysis of human movement.

This unit version will commence from 2011. This unit is intended for students enrolled in a range of health science courses within the School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. It is designed to equip students with a detailed knowledge of pathophysiological processes evident in a number of key human diseases that are vocationally relevant to these students. The content is organised using a systems based approach. Problem-based learning methods will be adopted in the tutorial component of this unit to help students develop crucial problem solving skills.

This unit outlines the research methods used to acquire knowledge in healthcare. This includes research designs, international standards, key statistics, and interpretation of results. The range of health research methods will be presented, and studies about treatment effectiveness (clinical trials and systematic reviews), diagnostic effectiveness and qualitative approaches will be explored in detail. The pathways and resources for conducting beginner research will also be introduced in this unit.

This unit introduces skills for understanding and engaging effectively with the culturally and socially diverse world in which we live and work. Indigenous Australia is a major theme and students will gain an appreciation of the achievements and needs of Indigenous Australians. The unit examines cultural awareness more broadly and puts these issues in the context of health professionals working in multi-cultural settings and handling culturally different health philosophies and practices. Cultural diversity is increasingly recognised as a major issue in the delivery of health care and a major determinant of Indigenous health.

This unit provides a thorough understanding of the topographic anatomy of the human upper and lower limbs, including their respective girdles. It undertakes this by utilising a regional approach (as against a systems approach), emphasising the interplay of the different body systems within the appendicular. The relationship between form and function at a topographic level, will underpin all teaching of this unit.

Pharmacology is the study of the therapeutic interactions of drugs with the human body, focusing on the drug's mechanisms of action at the biochemical and cellular level, on adverse reactions and on clinical applications. The aim of this unit is to provide students with a sound understanding of fundamental aspects of this field to prepare for further study of advanced pharmacology or other biomedical sciences. The general principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be discussed in detail. This will be followed by the discussions of the major drug categories that affect different organ systems. Research methods in pharmacology and drug development process will also be introduced.

This unit will build on the skills introduced in Year 1 with an emphasis on clinical competencies in patient communication and management. The clinical component will cover an introduction to basic treatment skills of skin conditions and the evaluation of functional anatomy, gait, cursory examinations and communication. Introduction to general clinical treatment skills such as chair side devices and strapping and removable pads to more complex skills such as the manufacture of non-cast orthotic devices will be covered. The knowledge and skills taught will be relevant in the observational one week placement.

Health promotion is a process that seeks to enable individuals, carers, communities and populations to increase control over their health by addressing the determinants of health and equity issues, resulting in improved health outcomes. Theoretical underpinnings of the various approaches to health promotion are explored, enhancing and limiting factors analysed and the levels of health promoting actions demonstrated, including the bigger picture approaches of working with policy, environmental and engineering solutions. Health promotion competencies are developed including conducting a needs and stakeholder analysis, also planning and evaluating an intervention. The best practice, evidence base for health promotion is outlined and the need to move beyond education.

This unit will introduce students to clinical (practical hands on) and theoretical foundations of human biomechanics of the foot and lower extremity and the mechanics, diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions. The unit consists of coordinated lectures and practical components to cover the introductory theory of gait analysis, relevant physical examinations (joint, muscle testing to therapeutic options), diagnosing conditions such as shin pain, foot pain (plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome or digital deformities) and related treatment options.

This unit will introduce students to clinical and theoretical foundations of the musculoskeletal system conditions that will impact on the function of the lower extremity. Disease processes that affect the joint structure such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthropathies, gout, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, systematic disorders and tumours will be covered. Advanced assessment evaluation will be taught that will include diagnostic techniques, eg. x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography. This will assist in the application and clinical interpretation of presenting disease processes in podiatric settings.

This unit will introduce students to the first clinical unit in the series of four where students will demonstrate basic competencies in patient assessment, communication and management skills. The student will also be introduced to basic skills in mechanical therapy as part of the clinical therapies unit. In this unit students will participate in clinics as informed and guided observers, and will commence elementary assessment and diagnostic skills. The activities will be divided into four areas: new patient clinics, clinical tutorials, clinical therapies and a one-week external clinical placement at the end of semester.

This unit will introduce students to local anaesthesia, the theory of surgical procedures and the practice of skin and nail surgical techniques. As such, this unit allows students to assess patients’ suitability for administration of local anaesthesia; understand procedures involved in obtaining voluntary consent, appreciate, reasonably predict and describe the possible adverse effects of administering local anaesthesia. Surgery will focus the medico-legal requirements, principles of theatre protocol, peri-operative and post surgical management of the patient and nail and skin surgery, in preparation for student undertaking surgery during Podiatric Practice 3 and 4.

This unit will introduce students to the principles of pharmacology in podiatry and further develop the understanding of drug prescription issues, with particular focus on drugs of importance to podiatry patients, drug interactions and poly pharmacological issues.

In this unit, students incorporate previous research and biostatistics knowledge to develop new skills for using evidence to inform all aspects of their professional practice. Evidence-based practice uses an enquiry led approach to manage expanding and uncertain knowledge by formulating answerable questions, effectively searching literature, critically appraising evidence validity and results, and to assess its significance in clinical practice and healthcare decision-making.

This unit will further develop students’ assessment skills encouraging the student to make the appropriate selection of techniques (biomechanical assessments) and to introduce the student to the diagnosis and management of a variety of simple foot pathologies. In this unit, the second of the four clinical practice units, students will participate in assessments of patients under supervision and continue with the management of foot pathologies. Clincial activities will be divided into five areas: General Medicine Clinic, Biomechanical Assessment Clinical, Tutorial, Clinical Therapies and External Clinical Placement.

This unit will introduce students to clinical and theoretical foundations of biomechanical alignment, trauma, psychological and behavioural factors leading to pain and restricted function of the foot and lower extremity affecting daily living activities. Particular focus will be placed on the mechanics, diagnosis and treatment options of problems experienced in special populations or different age groups in normal daily activities or the sporting arena. Furthermore, this integration will enhance the previously taught assessment and diagnostic techniques in the development of appropriate management and treatment programs of the lower extremity in different populations.

This unit will introduce students to clinical and theoretical foundations of dermatology including the function and structure of the skin, assessment, diagnosis, aetiological factors and the management of disorders of the skin, with particular emphasis on common foot conditions.

This unit will introduce students to clinical (practical hands on) and theoretical foundations of the management of the high risk foot. The unit consists of coordinated lectures and practical components to cover the overview of systemic conditions covered in pathophysiology and will explore the management of the foot and lower extremity manifestations associated with vascular, endocrine, neurological and immunosuppression. Particular emphasis will be placed on the foot at risk and podiatry assessment, diagnosis and management in context of a health profession team management approach. Diagnostic assessment techniques, both clinical and laboratory based will be covered. Infection control, wound classification and wound care management will be discussed in detail.

This unit will further develop students’ assessment skills encouraging the student to make the appropriate selection of assessment techniques to diagnose, treat and provide long term health outcomes. In this unit, the third of the four clinical practice units, students will continue to participate in clinical activities under supervision to manage foot pathologies with increased scope of treating special population groups. Clincial activities will be divided into four areas: Clinic – general, biomechanical and surgical assessments, Tutorial, Clinical Therapies and External Clinical Placement.

This unit will introduce students to the principles of professional development and appropriate requirements to function as a registered podiatrist. As podiatrists may work as a primary provider, as part of a multidisciplinary team, in the public or private health care setting, they require extensive knowledge of many aspects of the management of a practice or business. During a one week conference, students will be introduced to a gumut of principles specific to professional, ethical and legal issues associated with working as a podiatrist and practice and workplace administrative policies and procedures.

This unit will further develop students’ assessment skills encouraging the student to make the appropriate selection of assessment techniques to diagnose, treat and provide long term health outcomes especially in the public / community based patients. In this clinical unit, students will continue to participate in clinical activities under supervision in public sector placements to manage foot pathologies with increased scope of treating special populations (the high risk foot). Supporting workshop activities will be divided into two areas: Lecture / tutorial format to prepare the student for the block placement and a final feedback session at the end of the placement.

This unit will further develop students’ assessment skills encouraging the student to make the appropriate selection of assessment techniques to diagnose, treat and provide long term health outcomes. In this final clinical unit, students will continue to participate in clinical activities under supervision in both the Uniclinic and public sector placements to manage foot pathologies with increased scope of treating special population groups. Clincial activities will be divided into four areas: Clinic – general, biomechanical and surgical assessments, Tutorial, Clinical Therapies and External Clinical Placement.