POD5102 · Neurological podiatry

Overview

Podiatrists work with people who have a range of neurological conditions that impact many aspects of their lives. This unit is designed to develop your understanding of the impact of neurological conditions on people, their gait, the lower limb and their ability to participate in everyday activities. You will also be exposed to inter-disciplinary and disability focused practice. You will develop an understanding of the importance of goal setting and partnering with clients in their course of care. You will also develop knowledge in the anatomy and function of the neurological system impacting the lower limb, and the physiological changes across the lifespan via a series of lectures and tutorials. This hands-on unit will include practical sessions where you will perform a range of age specific neurological assessments in a simulated setting and request relevant diagnostic tests. You will be required to evaluate your findings to diagnose and support intervention strategies for a range of neurological conditions that impact the lower limb and mobility. You will use a range of strategies and treatment mobilities and be introduced to pharmacological therapies relevant to the management of your client. This unit will highlight the role of the podiatrist as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will also use evidence-based practice in the decision-making process of managing a client with neurological conditions.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the normal anatomy and function of the neurological system and how it changes across the life span;
2. Critically evaluate the risk factors, clinical features and pathological processes of a range of neurological disorders in the lower limb;
3. Demonstrate relevant neurological and age specific assessments of the lower limb;
4. Demonstrate beginner level competency in podiatric assessments and gait analyses in clients with neurological conditions in the lower limb;
5. Request necessary and appropriate diagnostic tests, such as pathology and medical imaging investigations.
6. Synthesise person centered short- and long-term management goals, taking into consideration client preferences and reported outcomes for a range of neurological conditions across the lifespan;
7. Provide comprehensive verbal and written communication with clients and to other health professionals to optimize client-centred care and interprofessional management;
8. Prescribe management options focused on reducing lower limb deterioration relating to neurological conditions, including pharmacological therapies, motivational interviewing, exercise and orthomechanical therapies;
9. Appraise the principles of inclusive podiatry practice and apply it within the disability landscape;
10. Demonstrate beginner level medical history taking, and medico-legal documentation of the goals and management of a client in a podiatric clinical setting;
11. Implement evidence-based practice in the management of the client with neurological conditions.

Workload

The average time required for the dedicated contact hours and private study hours is equivalent of 24 hours per week during a regular semester. There will be 12 hours of on-campus directed learning and 12 hours of self-directed learning per week. You may also be required to spend up to 16 hours at an industry-based site.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.