CQUniversity Unit Profile
PODI14014 Surgery in Podiatry Practice
Surgery in Podiatry Practice
All details in this unit profile for PODI14014 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 implement podiatric surgical techniques required to perform safe and competent nail surgery. Specific emphasis is placed on surgical principles, expanding and reinforcing your understanding and practice of infection control and clinical and theatre protocols. You will gain knowledge and skills in surgical management and learn the theory behind a range of surgical procedures relevant to podiatric practice. The scope of podiatric surgery practice is explored with consideration of the ethical and medico-legal implications.

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

Prerequisites: PODI13011 Podiatry Clinical Practice 3 and PODI13015 Advanced Pharmacology in Podiatry Practice and Corequisite: 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 - 2021

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. In-class Test(s)
Weighting: 50%
2. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. On-campus Activity
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 Have your say

Feedback

Students found the guest lectures by industry respected podiatric surgeons informative and engaging. Students found the real-world examples and case discussions extremely valuable.

Recommendation

Inclusion of podiatric surgeons as guest lecturers and collaboration with the Australian College of Podiatric Surgeons (ACPS) should continue in future offerings.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

Students found videos provided by ACPS on PPE for surgery, partial nail avulsion, and total nail avulsion techniques were beneficial to enhance theoretical knowledge

Recommendation

The use of ACPS videos should be included in future offerings as a learning resource.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

Student feedback suggested engaging a lawyer to teach medico-legal legislation pertaining to surgery in two states, Queensland and New South Wales.

Recommendation

Current lecturers are well placed to provide information on medico-legal issues in the field of podiatric surgery. Therefore, it is probably not necessary to engage a lawyer to teach medico-legal legislation. The continued use of podiatric surgeons from the ACPS, who work within the medico-legal requirements pertaining to foot surgery on a daily basis, is recommended.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice
  2. Examine the anatomy of the foot with particular emphasis on the nerves and associated structures to enable safe and effective delivery of local anaesthesia
  3. Discuss the medico-legal implications of podiatric surgical procedures
  4. Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks of basic surgical procedures conducted by podiatrists
  5. Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.

Per NPC1322

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 - In-class Test(s) - 50%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - On-campus Activity - 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 - In-class Test(s) - 50%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - On-campus Activity - 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)
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- Medicolegal Requirements for Surgery Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will cover medico-legal requirements for surgery and other related topics.

Guest Lecturer: Podiatric Surgeon, Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.

Chapter

Various readings may be discussed during term and posted on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2- Infection Control Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will cover the importance of infection control and other related topics.

Guest Lecturer: Podiatric Surgeon, Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3- Anatomy Review Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will cover a detailed review of anatomy as it relates to surgery, and other relevant topics.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4- Local Anaesthetic Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will cover a detailed overview of the use of local anaesthesia for foot surgery, with a specific focus on digital nerve blocks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5- Self-Directed Learning Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Self-Directed Learning 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6- Clinical Skills in Nail Surgery - Part 1 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will learn about nail surgery procedures (partial nail avulsions) and related topics.

Guest Lecturer: Podiatric Surgeon, Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7- Clinical Skills in Nail Surgery - Part 2 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will continue to learn about nail surgery procedures (partial nail avulsions and total nail avulsions) and related topics.

Guest Lecturer: Podiatric Surgeon, Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

On-campus Activity Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8- Professional Practice Placement Session 1 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

This week has been scheduled for professional practice placement. Students will attend an all day clinic session, performing patient assessments, checking for suitability for nail surgery.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Professional practice placement - internal clinic 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday 7th May 2021.

Attendance is mandatory.

Week 9- Professional Practice Placement Session 2 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

This week has been scheduled for professional practice placement. Students will attend an all day clinic session, performing nail surgeries.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Professional practice placement - internal clinic 8.00am - 5.00pm Friday 14th May 2021.

Attendance is mandatory.

Week 10- Professional Practice Placement Session 3 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

This week has been scheduled for professional practice placement. Students will attend an all day clinic session, performing nail surgery reviews.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Professional practice placement - internal clinic 8.00am - 5.00pm Friday 21st May 2021.

Attendance is mandatory.


Professional Practice Placement Due: Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11- Review Week Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

This week we will review content covered throughout the term and any assessment related queries will be clarified.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In-Class Test Due: Week 11 Tuesday (25 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12- In-Class Test Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

In-Class Test. Further information will be made available at the start of term.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

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 and professional placement practice sessions, 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 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
In-Class Test

Task Description

The In-class test (50%) will be in a form of a closed book class test covering content from Week 1- 11.

Students will be required to attend on-campus to complete this class test. The class test will be 120 minutes long.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Tuesday (25 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

More details and information regarding the In-class test will be made available during the term.


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Tuesday (8 June 2021)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The class test will assess all content covered from Weeks 1-11. Students must demonstrate that you have gained knowledge and skill in surgical management and understand the theory behind a range of surgical procedures relevant to podiatric practice. 

You will be provided with sample questions during the term to prepare you for the class test.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the medico-legal implications of podiatric surgical procedures
  • Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks of basic surgical procedures conducted by podiatrists


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

2 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Professional Practice Placement

Task Description

You will complete a professional practice placement at the relevant CQUniversity Health Clinic. The professional practice placement is scheduled to run on Fridays of weeks 8, 9, and 10 (7th, 14th, and 21st of May 2021 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm). During this placement you will perform toenail surgery and associated activities. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021) 5:00 pm AEST

You are to submit the PODI14014 Clinical Placement Log Book to the clinical supervisor at the end of the professional practice placement.


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
A pass grade is required for this assessment task in order to pass this unit.

Assessment Criteria

Professional practice placement is compulsory requiring 100% attendance rate. You are required to wear the approved CQUniversity podiatry clinical uniform and to project a professional image at all times. If you are more than ten (10) minutes late for clinical placement, you may be marked as 'absent' and be required to make up the placement day. Please refer to the Clinical Placement Handbooks for further information related to placement. The professional practice placement is assessed as pass/fail and your grade is assessed using the PODI14014 Clinical Placement Log Book (available on Moodle). You must print your own copy of the PODI14014 Clinical Placement Log Book for use during placement, and submit to your Unit Coordinator at the end of week 10. Failure to submit the completed PODI14014 Clinical Placement Log Book by the due date will result in a 'Fail' grade.

If you miss clinical placement you should review the Clinical Placement Handbook and the CQUniversity Work-Integrated Learning/Student Placement Policy and Procedure.

Please pay attention to the following information:

• If you are absent from clinical placement you must follow the sick leave procedure provided to you during orientation. You must alert the relevant supervisors regarding your absenteeism prior to the commencement of the allocated clinical learning experience for that day.

• You must provide the Unit Coordinator with either a medical certificate or statutory declaration explaining your absence no later than five (5) business days after each absence.

• All absence days will need to be made up. Make up sessions will be assigned to you in the case of absence(s). Make up sessions are non negotiable.

• You should be aware that the allocation of clinical placement takes precedence over any personal commitments.

• If you do not notify the relevant people regarding your absence(s) and do not attend an allocated placement you will receive a 'Fail' grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice
  • Examine the anatomy of the foot with particular emphasis on the nerves and associated structures to enable safe and effective delivery of local anaesthesia
  • Discuss the medico-legal implications of podiatric surgical procedures
  • Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.


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

3 On-campus Activity

Assessment Title
On-campus Activity

Task Description

You will be expected to complete a range of compulsory competency tasks that forms part of a competency checklist.

The competency tasks will be made available to you at the start of term. Each competency task will be completed during tutorial and/or practical sessions and your attendance is compulsory. More details and information regarding the on-campus activities will be made available at the start of term.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST

Each competency task will be completed during lecture, tutorial and/or practical sessions and signed off by the Unit Coordinator or member of academic staff. Your completion of the competency task on campus is compulsory.


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
A pass grade is required for this assessment task in order to pass this unit.

Assessment Criteria

The on-campus activities in this unit consists of competency tasks relating to professional podiatry skills, which are inherent requirements to meet the professional standards. Satisfactory completion of these activities on campus are integral to your achievement of learning outcomes and assessment of this unit and other units within the course. Participation in all competency tasks is required for you to satisfactorily PASS this unit.

If you are unable to attend campus for scheduled classes, you must notify the Unit Coordinator (in writing/by email) as soon as possible, and provide a medical certificate or statutory declaration supporting any absence within five (5) working days. If the required documentation is not provided to the Unit Coordinator within the stipulated time frame, you will be marked as ‘Absent’ for the session. Failure to maintain a satisfactory competency record for on campus activities may seriously undermine your ability to complete this unit and will result in a ‘Fail’ grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice
  • Examine the anatomy of the foot with particular emphasis on the nerves and associated structures to enable safe and effective delivery of local anaesthesia
  • Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks of basic surgical procedures conducted by podiatrists
  • Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • 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?