CONTACT CSU

POD413 Professional Podiatric Practice (8)

Abstract

This subject addresses contemporary issues of relevance to practising podiatrists, as it prepares students for entering the health workforce. Consideration of the future development of the podiatry profession enables students to understand the socio-political influences on professions and the professional development of podiatry practitioners. Students will study: health law and professional ethics; the role of professional bodies at national and state level; employment trends; podiatry practice in regional and rural areas, and the Asia-Pacific region; competency development of entry-level podiatrists; the role of new information technology in podiatric practice; and issues in health service management and health care delivery. To enable effective interprofessional practice, a module wiill be completed within this subject with students from other allied health disciplines. This subject prepares students for the workforce by considering: employment issues both in the public and private health sectors; issues associated with running a small business; and  issues associated with being a sub-contractor.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
InternalAlbury-Wodonga Campus
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: POD413
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Community Health

Enrolment restrictions

Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine and Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours)
Incompatible subject(s)
POD401

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to analyse the roles and interrelationships of the key organisations (Australian Podiatry Council, Australian Podiatry Associations, Registration Boards, American Podiatric Medical Association, Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists etc.) within the podiatry profession in Australia and overseas;
  • be able to explain the purpose and function of the funding bodies - including compensable bodies such as health insurance companies, TAC, Veteran's affairs, commonwealth funded schemes - with respect to implications for the podiatric management of clients;
  • be able to critically evaluate the national competency standards for podiatrists;
  • be able to describe the application and role of quality assurance activities in the context of podiatric practice;
  • be able to discuss a range of medico-legal issues such as: access and equity; state and commonwealth legislation; OH&S legislation; and infection control standards, relevant to podiatry practice;
  • be able to analyse the multiple applications of information technology in health care, both in general terms and specifically in the context of podiatric practice;
  • be able to describe the basic management and business principles associated with private practice;
  • be able to discuss issues relevant to being a subcontractor in the context of podiatric practice;
  • be able to discuss issues relevant to working in the public sector including: managing workloads; different practice models; interprofessional working; union membership; professional development; corporate culture; managing budgets; stock control; tendering;
  • be able to perform skills necessary to working effectively in an interprofessional team;
  • be able to critically analyse the potential for professional isolation and burnout, particularly in the context of rural podiatry practice;
  • be able to discuss professional ethics and corporate culture
  • be able to discuss key issues for effective career planning in podiatry;
  • be able to critically evaluate the purpose of mandatory continuing professional development in podiatry.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Professional podiatry organisations - structure, purpose and interrelationships
  • Professional competency standards - definition, general purpose, advantages / disadvantages, development process, specific Australian podiatry competency standards
  • Funding for podiatry services - key funding mechanisms, requirements for accessing funding for clients, reporting mechanisms
  • Medico/legal issues in podiatry - relevant legislation including registration acts, health insurance legislation, OH&S legislation, Trade Practices Act, privacy legislation, workcover legislation, ethical practice, codes of conduct, informed consent, medical records, access and equity legislation
  • Quality assurance - definition, purpose, application in podiatric practice
  • Information technology in health practice - electronic medical records, electronic imaging techniques, telemedicine, literature searching, impact of the internet
  • Small Business - taxation, employment law, advertising, budgets, stock control, working with accountants and solicitors
  • Sub-contracting - taxation, superannuation, insurances [workcover, income protection insurance, malpractice, indemnity], contractual arrangements
  • Public sector - managing workloads, different practice models, union membership, managing budgets, stock control, tendering, occasions of service, key performance indicators, political manoeuvering
  • Professional person - ethical practice, continuing professional development, professional isolation and burnout, mentoring, networking, managing conflict, bullying , discrimination/harassment, corporate cultures, indemnity insurance, superannuation, taxation, income protection insurance, work-life balance, career planning, leave (recreational, parental, bereavement), orientation, conditions of employment, starting a new job, writing a CV/Resume, job interviews

Back

The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 06 September 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.