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 - 2025

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. In-class Test(s)
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Weighting: 50%
4. 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 Feedback

Feedback

Students may benefit from greater development of education material around specific surgical procedures of the foot and ankle and how these are relevant to podiatry.

Recommendation

It is recommended that further learning materials relating to orthopaedic surgical procedures of the foot and ankle, with clear podiatric relevance, continue to be developed and included in future offerings of this unit

Feedback from Unit Coordinator Feedback

Feedback

Students may benefit from inclusion of additional learning materials relating to safety considerations relevant to surgery in podiatry.

Recommendation

It is recommended that additional materials related to safety considerations relevant to surgery in podiatry be developed and presented in a clear and consistent manner.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator Feedback

Feedback

Students may benefit from clear expectations of unit schedule and content.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the unit coordinator revises the unit schedule and content to improve the clarity of the unit schedule, expectations of students, and the overall learning experience in this unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including the 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 varied foot and ankle surgical procedures relevant to podiatry practice.
  4. Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks, including adverse reactions and medicolegal implications, of surgical procedures and administration of local anaesthesia 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 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) - 50%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - In-class Test(s) - 50%
4 - In-class Test(s) - 0%

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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery 5th edition

5th edition (2021)
Authors: Brian Carpenter
Wolters Kluwer
ISBN: 9781975136062

Additional Textbook Information

An e-version of this book is available through the Central Queensland University library: McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery: EBSCOhost

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Zoom access
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
Jamie Pritchard Unit Coordinator
j.pritchard@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Anatomy and Local Anesthetic 

Chapter

Presentation: 'Local Anaesthesia'  available in week 1 tab on moodle

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 2, Chapter 3, Pages 134-139 'Local/Regional Anesthesia'

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Medicolegal, Infection Control and Professional Referrals 

Chapter

Podiatry Infection Prevention & Control Handbook - 2025, available in week 2 tab on moodle 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Nail Surgery 1 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Local Anaesthesia In Class Test Tuesday 9:00am 25/3/25


Local Anaesthesia Safety Test Due: Week 3 Tuesday (25 Mar 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Nail Surgery 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Local Anaesthesia Resits Monday 9:00am 31/3/25

Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Self Directed Reading and Revision

Chapter

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 3 'Forefoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 5 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Surgery Practical 11/04/2025 9:00am - 5:00pm

Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Foot Surgery 1 - Forefoot

Chapter

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 3 'Forefoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 6 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Foot Surgery 2 - Midfoot 

Chapter

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 4 'Midfoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 May 2025

Module/Topic

Foot Surgery 3 - Rearfoot

Chapter

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 5 'Rearfoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Work Integrated Learning 'Nail Surgery Clinic' Wednesday 7/5/25 to Friday 9/5/25 9:00am - 5:00pm


Professional Practice Placement Due: Week 8 Friday (9 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 12 May 2025

Module/Topic

Foot Surgery 4 - Ankle 

Chapter

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 6 'Ankle Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 19 May 2025

Module/Topic

Foot Surgery Revision Week 

Chapter

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 7 'Special Surgery Conditions' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 10

McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 9 'Soft Tissue  Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 10 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 26 May 2025

Module/Topic

Mock OSCE 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Self Directed Revision Week 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

OSCE Friday 13/6/25 9:00am 


Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (13 June 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In-Class Test Tuesday 17/6/25 9:00am 


In-Class Test Due: Exam Week Tuesday (17 June 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Term Specific Information

This Unit is taught by Dr Leah Cook, Podiatric Surgeon, and Jamie Pritchard, Podiatrist. This Unit is coordinated by Jamie Pritchard.

Assessment Tasks

1 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
Local Anaesthesia Safety Test

Task Description

You will be required to attend campus to demonstrate your knowledge and safety of Local Anaesthesia in the form of a closed-book, in-class test. This is an unweighted Pass/Fail assessment item which requires a grade of 100% to pass.

Students who do not pass their first attempt will be eligible for one re-attempt which will be held on Monday 9am in week 4. 

Students who do not pass this assessment item are not eligible to attend practicums or Work Integrated Learning for this unit, therefore will not be able to pass the unit.

This test will be examining your knowledge of all presented learning material from week 1. You will specifically be examined on the 'Local Anaesthesia Safety' Lecture and Local Anaesthesia Calculations. More information regarding this assessment task will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 3 Tuesday (25 Mar 2025) 9:00 am AEST

You are to attend your usual tutorial room at your usual time. You are to arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure prompt commencement of this assessment.


Return Date to Students

Week 3 Wednesday (26 Mar 2025)

Students will be notified of the outcome of their LA safety test by Wednesday of Week 3. Students who sit a re-attempt of the LA safety test will be notified of the outcome of the assessment by close of business on Monday Week 4.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
100%

Assessment Criteria

Students will be marked according to an answer sheet specific to this assessment item. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks, including adverse reactions and medicolegal implications, of surgical procedures and administration of local anaesthesia conducted by podiatrists.

2 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Professional Practice Placement

Task Description

You will be required to attend campus for three (3) days of compulsory Professional Practice Placement. Two days of this placement will be facilitated by a podiatric surgeon, and you will be provided with the opportunity to develop your surgical podiatry skills to ensure you are meeting safety expectations. Students must pass all areas of their surgical clinic logbook in order to pass the unit. More information regarding this assessment item will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site.

Students who don't attend their practicum day in week 5 will not be able to attend their Professional Practice Placement. 

Students who don't pass Assessment 1 (in-class test, 0%) will not be able to attend their Professional Practice Placement. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (9 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST

Students will be required to participate and pass their Surgery Professional Pracetice Placement on 7/5/25, 8/5/25 and 9/5/25.


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (23 May 2025)

2 weeks after the due date


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
PASS

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed against a specifically designed marking rubric for this assessment. The Podiatric Surgeon, together with the Podiatry Clinical Supervisor or Unit Coordinator, will be assessing your proficiency in this unit. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including the use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice.
  • Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.

3 Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)

Assessment Title
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Task Description

For this assessment task, you will be required to undertake an Objective Structured Clinical Examination to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and competency relating to surgical procedures in podiatry practice. More details regarding this assessment task will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site. You will be required to attend on-campus for this assessment.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (13 June 2025) 9:00 am AEST

The OSCE will occur at the CQUniversity Health Clinic.


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided within two weeks following the OSCE.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment task will be marked against a specifically developed marking rubric reflective of the clinical scenarios presented.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including the 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 varied foot and ankle surgical procedures relevant to podiatry practice.
  • Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.

4 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
In-Class Test

Task Description

You will be required to attend campus to demonstrate your knowledge of surgical podiatry in the form of a closed-book, in-class test. This test will be examining your knowledge of all presented learning material from weeks 1-12. More information regarding this assessment task will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site. 


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Tuesday (17 June 2025) 9:00 am AEST

You are to attend campus to complete this in-class test. The test location will be advised by the unit coordinator early in the term. You are to arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure prompt commencement of this assessment.


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided within two weeks following the in-class test.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be marked against a specifically developed marking rubric for this assessment task.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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 varied foot and ankle surgical procedures relevant to podiatry practice.
  • Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks, including adverse reactions and medicolegal implications, of surgical procedures and administration of local anaesthesia conducted by podiatrists.

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?