CQUniversity Unit Profile
PODI13015 Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatry Practice
Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatry Practice
All details in this unit profile for PODI13015 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The unit will be divided into two main components: pharmacotherapeutics and anaesthesia specific to podiatry practice. In pharmacotherapeutics you will gain understanding of schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines administered in common diseases seen in podiatry practice and learn further of their role in management of disease. In anaesthesia, you will gain advanced knowledge of anaesthetics pertinent to podiatry practice. Topics covered will include pre-surgical history and physical assessment, informed consent, charting, maximum safe dose, and injection instrumentation. You will also begin to practice injection technique in a simulated setting.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: PODI13007 Clinical Practice 2; BMSC13010 Pharmacology; MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology - and Corequisite: PODI13011 Clinical Practice 3

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2022

Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Take Home Exam
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Lecturer's self-reflection

Feedback

This Year 3 Term 2 unit requires students to have a good foundation in basic pharmaco-dynamics and kinetics which was covered previously in BMSC13010 Pharmacology in Year 2 Term 1. Students who did not revise the content struggled with the new content being taught in this unit.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the unit coordinator remind students to revise the content from BMSC13010 Pharmacology, in order to prepare for this unit.

Feedback from Lecturer's self-reflection

Feedback

Having a podiatry surgeon teach into this unit was highly relevant. However, the surgeon was more proficient in teaching the clinically applied and relevant content, and not the pharmaco-dynamic and kinetic content, which was more theoretical. It would be more appropriate for a pharmacologist to cover this portion.

Recommendation

It is recommended that a pharmacologist be engaged to guest lecture for this unit to assist with the pharmacology-related content, with a podiatry surgeon to assist with content related to scheduled medication for podiatrist use.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Summarise the major classes of therapeutic drugs that affect the primary systems of the body, including identifying the barriers to suitable pharmacotherapy, describing the mechanisms of drug action and the potential for drug-to-drug interactions
  2. Evaluate schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines prescribed and administered for the treatment of disease states encountered in the scope of podiatry practice
  3. Examine legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with prescription and administration of medications within podiatry
  4. Develop an anaesthetic plan based on a physical examination that includes: appropriate drug selection; correct dose calculation; appropriate method of drug administration; and other supportive care
  5. Integrate an evidence based approach in pharmacological practice within podiatry.

Per NPC1303

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Take Home Exam - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Take Home Exam - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Julie Nguyen Unit Coordinator
j.nguyen@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1- Introduction to Advanced Pharmacology & Revision of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover an introduction to the unit and a revision of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2- Drugs and Poisons Legislation in Australia Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the drugs and poisons legislation in Australia and what prescribing podiatrists need to know. Podiatry specific local anaesthetic will also be explored.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3- Pharmacology of Anti-histamines and Anti-anxiety Medication Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the pharmacology of antihistamines and anti-anxiety medication.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4- Pharmacology of Local Anaesthetic and Related Emergency Drugs Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the pharmacology of local anaesthetic and related emergency drugs.

Chapter



Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5- Pharmacology of Antimycotic Agents Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the pharmacology of antimycotic agents.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Vacation week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6- Self-directed Learning Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Self-directed Learning.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7- Self-directed Learning Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Self-directed Learning.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8- Pharmacology of Antibacterial Agents Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the pharmacology of antibacterial agents.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9- Pharmacology of Anti-inflammatory Agents Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the pharmacology of anti-inflammatory agents.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10- Pharmacology of Analgesic Agents Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

This lecture will cover the pharmacology of analgesic agents. 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment Due: Week 10 Friday (23 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11- Self-directed Learning Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Self-directed Learning.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) Due: Week 11 Friday (30 Sept 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12- Self-directed Learning Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Self-directed Learning.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Take Home Exam.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Take Home Exam Due: Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Term Specific Information

Attendance: As per the University’s recommendation that "All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes,” students should also be aware that there is clear evidence to show that attendance rates are directly related to academic progress. It is therefore in your best interest and strongly recommended in the Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) course, that you attend all scheduled learning activities to support your learning.

Uniform: In all practical classes, students are required to wear the nominated uniform. Students must purchase their uniform from the bookshop. This uniform is separate to the mandatory clinical uniform. Please refer to the Podiatry Course Handbook for further details.

Assessment Tasks

1 Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)

Assessment Title
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)

Task Description

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will include both written and practical stations of up to 15 minutes in length. The OSCE will last for up to 75 minutes. The OSCE will assess your knowledge obtained from weeks 1 to 10. All assessments may be video and/or audio-recorded for moderation purposes. You are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the allocated start time for the OSCE and to wear full clinical uniform with enclosed shoes. The OSCE is closed book. More details and information regarding the on campus activities will be made available at the start of term.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (30 Sept 2022) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022)

Results will be released following the finalisation of grading of all student OSCEs.


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria for OSCE: In order to be eligible to PASS the OSCE you must achieve a minimum overall grade of 50% for the OSCE. If you do not meet the above criterion of a minimum overall grade of 50%, you may be eligible for a supplementary assessment providing you meet the requirements as stipulated in the CQUniversity Grades and Results Procedure and this will be determined by the Unit Coordinator. If you are granted a supplementary assessment then the maximum grade that you can receive is a pass (P) irrespective of how well you performed in the supplementary exam.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Summarise the major classes of therapeutic drugs that affect the primary systems of the body, including identifying the barriers to suitable pharmacotherapy, describing the mechanisms of drug action and the potential for drug-to-drug interactions
  • Develop an anaesthetic plan based on a physical examination that includes: appropriate drug selection; correct dose calculation; appropriate method of drug administration; and other supportive care


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

The written assessment will be in the form of an essay. The topic will be specific to pharmacology and podiatry practice and will be provided to you by the Unit Coordinator. You will be expected to review the relevant literature in order to establish the current knowledge of the particular topic(s). Further details regarding this assessment task will be provided in Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (23 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment task is marked according to how well you have met the specified requirements, and in accordance with the assessment criteria to be made available in Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines prescribed and administered for the treatment of disease states encountered in the scope of podiatry practice
  • Examine legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with prescription and administration of medications within podiatry
  • Integrate an evidence based approach in pharmacological practice within podiatry.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Take Home Exam

Assessment Title
Take Home Exam

Task Description

The examination will cover all content taught during term. Further information will be provided in Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Results will be released prior to the finalisation of grades.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The Take Home Exam will assess all content covered from Weeks 1-10. Students must demonstrate that you have gained knowledge and skill in advanced pharmacology and understand the pharmacotherapeutics relevant to podiatric practice.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Summarise the major classes of therapeutic drugs that affect the primary systems of the body, including identifying the barriers to suitable pharmacotherapy, describing the mechanisms of drug action and the potential for drug-to-drug interactions
  • Evaluate schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines prescribed and administered for the treatment of disease states encountered in the scope of podiatry practice
  • Examine legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with prescription and administration of medications within podiatry
  • Develop an anaesthetic plan based on a physical examination that includes: appropriate drug selection; correct dose calculation; appropriate method of drug administration; and other supportive care
  • Integrate an evidence based approach in pharmacological practice within podiatry.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?