CQUniversity Unit Profile
PODI14009 Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine in Podiatry Practice
Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine in Podiatry Practice
All details in this unit profile for PODI14009 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

In this unit, you will assess and manage complex musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders common to the lower extremity. Rheumatology as it relates to the foot and associated arthropathies will be covered in detail with respect to aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, investigation, and management. You will learn how these disorders can be managed by different interventions, including the use of pressure reducing devices and footwear intervention.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: PODI13011 Podiatry Clinical Practice 3. Co-requisite: PODI14008 Podiatry Clinical Practice 4.

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 1 - 2024

Rockhampton

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. On-campus Activity
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. In-class Test(s)
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 Unit coordinator self-reflection

Feedback

The design of the on-campus activity may benefit from revision so that marks are not awarded on the basis of skill demonstration alone

Recommendation

It is recommended that the design of the on-campus activity be reconsidered to ensure that marks are allocated on the basis of both students skill acquisition and their clinical reasoning

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Recognise and appraise the pathophysiology and clinical pattern of common arthropathies and musculoskeletal disorders specific to the lower extremity
  2. Evaluate conservative therapies applicable to the patient with rheumatic diseases and implement an appropriate patient-centred management plan.
  3. Develop patient education strategies for optimum management of common lower extremity musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders.
  4. Engage in active learning and apply an evidence based approach to rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine in podiatry practice.

Per NPC1320

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
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - In-class Test(s) - 50%
3 - On-campus Activity - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - In-class Test(s) - 50%
3 - On-campus Activity - 20%
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 access for weekly meetings
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
Sally Purvis Unit Coordinator
s.purvis@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 04 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Introduction to Rheumatology and musculoskeletal disease

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Investigations

Imaging modalities and pathology in rheumatology.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Guest speaker

Week 3 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Sero-positive Arthropathies

Explore Sero-positive arthropathies including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Scleroderma and Sjorgen's syndrome.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Sero-negative arthropathies

Explore Sero-negative arthropathies such as but not limited to psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic arthritis.

Lecture: Infectious and Crystal induced arthritis

Explore infectious and crystal induced arthritis such as but not limited to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, gout and pseudo-gout.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Easter Monday Public Holiday

No lectures this week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 08 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

No delivery of lecture material this week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 15 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Non-inflammatory acute and chronic arthritidies

Explore such conditions but not limited to Osteoarthritis, torn ligaments, avascular necrosis and Charcot neuroarthropathy.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Pharmacology in Rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine

Explore the pharmacological management of Rheumatological and MSK conditions and the associated side effects and impacts this has on the lower limb.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Biomechanical analysis in Rheumatology

Explore gait changes associated with Rheumatological and musculoskeletal disease and the management of such.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 06 May 2024

Module/Topic

Lecture: Invasive and non-invasive management

Together we will explore and discuss the conservative management of certain rheumatological and musculaskeletal conditions and when to refer for surgical opinion. We will explore the surgical options and procedures available in the management of said conditions.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 13 May 2024

Module/Topic

During normal lecture time this week, you will be required to undertake assessment item 1 - Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) which contributes to 20% of markings for this unit.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Objective Structured Clinical Examination Due: Week 10 Monday (13 May 2024) 9:00 am AEST
Written Assessment Due: Week 10 Friday (17 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11: Exam Preparation Begin Date: 20 May 2024

Module/Topic

Utilise this time to prepare for your week 12 in class exam.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12: In-class test Begin Date: 27 May 2024

Module/Topic

In-class test during usual lecture time.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In-class test Due: Week 12 Monday (27 May 2024) 9:00 am AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 03 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Please refer to your PODI14009 Moodle site for more term specific information pertaining to this unit.

Assessment Tasks

1 On-campus Activity

Assessment Title
Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Task Description

You will be required to attend campus for an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. During this exam, you will be tasked with multiple clinical stations/scenarios to demonstrate your clinical skill set. You will be made aware of the station topics and number of stations prior to the examination date however these could include topics relating to topics covered in PODI14009 until the end of year 4 term 1. Based on clinical scenarios, you will be required to discuss and perform aspects of relevant patient management and clearly articulate and demonstrate your knowledge around the scenario and podiatry implications. This will be a closed book on-campus assessment.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (13 May 2024) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Results will be returned between 2 weeks post submission.


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed according to an assessment rubric made available to you via the PODI14009 Moodle site during the term.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate conservative therapies applicable to the patient with rheumatic diseases and implement an appropriate patient-centred management plan.
  • Engage in active learning and apply an evidence based approach to rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine in podiatry practice.


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

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

You will be required to submit a written assessment in the form of an essay (2000 words). You are required to review the literature in order to establish the current knowledge of rheumatology and musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment in podiatry practice. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (17 May 2024) 11:59 pm AEST

Submission via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be returned to you within 2 weeks from submission.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The assessment and marking rubric will become available to you on the PODI14009 Moodle site at the commencement of unit learning material delivery.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Recognise and appraise the pathophysiology and clinical pattern of common arthropathies and musculoskeletal disorders specific to the lower extremity
  • Evaluate conservative therapies applicable to the patient with rheumatic diseases and implement an appropriate patient-centred management plan.
  • Develop patient education strategies for optimum management of common lower extremity musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders.
  • Engage in active learning and apply an evidence based approach to rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine in podiatry practice.


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

3 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
In-class test

Task Description

You will be examined in the form of a closed book, in-class test scheduled for week 12, Monday May 27th, 2024. This will take place in your usual lecture time slot and be conducted over 120 minutes. You will be examined on all delivered content for PODI14009 to meet learning objectives.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (27 May 2024) 9:00 am AEST

In-Class test will be conducted in your usual lecture time slot in week 12 and will be conducted over 120 minutes inclusive of reading time. Ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes prior to start time.


Return Date to Students

This will be returned to you within 2 weeks from submission.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The in-class test will be marked according to a marking guide developed specifically for this assessment task.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Recognise and appraise the pathophysiology and clinical pattern of common arthropathies and musculoskeletal disorders specific to the lower extremity
  • Develop patient education strategies for optimum management of common lower extremity musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • 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?