Overview
This unit will focus on childhood development, with specific focus on paediatric disorders related to the lower extremity. Students will develop history taking and physical examination skills specific to the paediatric podiatry patient. Students will also be exposed to psycho-social issues affecting children, which may affect the management of paediatric lower limb conditions. An evidence-based approach to clinical management of the paediatric patient in podiatry practice will be central to this unit.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
PODI13008 Clinical Biomechanics of the Lower Limb
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 - 2026
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 reflection.
This unit may benefit from inclusion of recorded demonstrations of the assessment techniques outlined in the Paediatrics Assessment Manual.
It is recommended that a library of recorded demonstrations of paediatric assessment techniques be developed and implemented to supplement the Paediatrics Assessment Manual.
- Describe the developmental milestones of a child relevant to podiatry practice
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with paediatric patients and their parents/ guardians, taking into consideration possible underlying psycho-social and medical issues.
- Identify lower limb conditions seen clinically in paediatric patients, select relevant diagnostic assessments and Implement safe, effective and evidence-based management plans.
- Discuss the role of inter-professional practice within the paediatric healthcare system
Per NPC1312
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | ||||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 50% | ||||
| 4 - On-campus Activity - 0% | ||||
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 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
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.
j.mcguinness@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Unit outline
Perinatal development
Foot and ankle development
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2:
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Knee, hip, pelvis and spine development
Gross motor development and milestones
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3:
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Public health, child safety, and the paediatric consultation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4:
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Genetic, systemic, and neuromuscular disorders
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Journal club 1 - contributes to Assessment 1 (Written assessment, 20%).
Week 5:
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
No scheduled lecture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6:
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Rotational and skeletal conditions of the lower limb
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Journal club 2 - contributes to Assessment 1 (Written assessment, 20%).
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7:
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Pain in the paediatric patient (part 1)
- Osteochondroses
- Fractures
- Prevalent musculoskeletal injuries
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Journal club 3 - contributes to Assessment 1 (Written assessment, 20%).
Practicum Wednesday 8:30am to 5pm: This practicum forms part of Assessment 3: On-campus activity (Pass/Fail)
Practical Due: Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 8:
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Pain in the paediatric patient (part 2)
- Growing pains
- Chronic pain in kids
- Paediatric neoplasms
- Other red flag considerations
Dermatology in the paediatric patient
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Journal club 4 - contributes to Assessment 1 (Written assessment, 20%).
Week 9:
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
No scheduled lecture. Preparation for upcoming assessments.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submission of Assessment 1 (Written assessment, 20%).
Written assessment Due: Week 9 Friday (18 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 10:
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Oral presentations during scheduled lecture time
Multi-disciplinary team presentation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student presentations (Assessment 2, 30%) during lecture time
Oral Presentation Due: Week 10 Monday (21 Sept 2026) 1:00 pm AEST
Week 11:
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Review lecture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12:
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
No scheduled lecture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Monday, 19th October In-class test (50%)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 4: In-class test (50%)
In-Class Test Due: Vacation/Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
1 Written Assessment
You will be required to critically appraise four (4) separate journal articles relevant to your studies in this unit. Each journal article appraisal will equate to 5% of allocated marks, for a total of 20% assessment weighting across the four (4) tasks.
Satisfactory completion of these journal 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 journal reviews will be conducted during tutorial time in class. Journal appraisals will take place during tutorial time in week 4, 6, 7 and 8. Students must be in-attendance to the tutorial to be awarded marks for this assessment item. All four critical appraisals must be submitted by Friday Week 9.
Permitted use of GenAI: Level 1 - No AI. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item.
Week 9 Friday (18 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Submission via Moodle
Week 11 Friday (2 Oct 2026)
Feedback will be returned to you within 2 weeks from submission.
A detailed assessment criteria and marking rubric will be made available during term in Moodle. This will include the four journal articles required to be appraised.
- Describe the developmental milestones of a child relevant to podiatry practice
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with paediatric patients and their parents/ guardians, taking into consideration possible underlying psycho-social and medical issues.
2 Presentation
Students will be provided a case study of a paediatric patient presenting with a lower limb condition. The case study will provide a detailed subjective and objective history, including imaging studies. Students will be required to develop a PowerPoint presentation which interprets the case information and provide a diagnosis, associated management plan, and other key information regarding the diagnosed condition. Students should use high-quality available evidence to support interpretation and the decision-making process of the case study. To conclude the oral presentation, students will be required to verbally deliver information related to the case in a manner that is suited to the parent/caregiver of the paediatric patient. The delivery of information should not exceed five-minutes of the presentation time. You will be required to give a 15-minute presentation, with 5 minutes for the delivery of information to the parent/caregiver.
Your presentation will take place during the normal scheduled lecture and tutorial time for PODI13012.
Further information regarding this assessment task will be provided during term in Moodle.
Permitted use of GenAI: Presentation AI assessment scale level 2 (AI planning): You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. All AI must be appropriately referenced. If use of AI is suspected to be beyond what is stipulated, it will be managed according to university policy and procedures.
The 72 hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item.
Week 10 Monday (21 Sept 2026) 1:00 pm AEST
Students are to submit their PowerPoint presentation slides prior to the commencement of presentations.
Week 12 Monday (5 Oct 2026)
Results and feedback will be returned to you via Moodle.
A detailed rubric and assessment criteria will be made available in Moodle and will include factors such as presentation skills, content knowledge, ability to answer questions and adhere to time limit.
- Describe the developmental milestones of a child relevant to podiatry practice
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with paediatric patients and their parents/ guardians, taking into consideration possible underlying psycho-social and medical issues.
- Identify lower limb conditions seen clinically in paediatric patients, select relevant diagnostic assessments and Implement safe, effective and evidence-based management plans.
- Discuss the role of inter-professional practice within the paediatric healthcare system
3 On-campus Activity
You will be required to attend campus for a full day practical session where you will be taught and provided practical time to practice paediatric lower limb assessments.
You will be working through assessments within the Central Queensland University Paediatrics in Podiatry Manual which will be made available to you at the commencement of term.
You are expected to be prompt for an on-time commencement and ensure you are dressed in appropriate clothing to perform biomechanical assessment in.
AI assessment scale Level 1 (No AI): You must not use AI at any point during the assessment.
The 72 hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item.
Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Class will commence at 8:30am and conclude at 4:30pm.
Week 7 Monday (31 Aug 2026)
Marks will be returned via Moodle
Assessments will be those covered in the 2026 paediatric practical handbook which will be made available to you on Moodle at the commencement of term.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with paediatric patients and their parents/ guardians, taking into consideration possible underlying psycho-social and medical issues.
- Identify lower limb conditions seen clinically in paediatric patients, select relevant diagnostic assessments and Implement safe, effective and evidence-based management plans.
4 In-class Test(s)
The In-class Test will cover all content taught during the term from week 1-week 12. Further information regarding the examination will be provided during term in Moodle.
AI assessment scale level 1 (No AI): You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72 hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item.
Vacation/Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
The location for the in-class test will be made available to you closer to the date.
Results will not be made available prior to the finalisation of grades.
You will be marked according to a purpose made marking sheet for this assessment task.
- Identify lower limb conditions seen clinically in paediatric patients, select relevant diagnostic assessments and Implement safe, effective and evidence-based management plans.
- Discuss the role of inter-professional practice within the paediatric healthcare system
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?
