MODULES
Year 1
CORE MODULES
Podiatric Practice 1
Introduction to the clinic
Introduction to professional practice
This module will introduce you to the clinical environment and to podiatric clinical practice. It will allow you to start to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to practice as a professional in a safe environment. The module will be a mix of classroom and clinical sessions and you will be facilitated by experienced HCPC registered Podiatrists.
Podiatric Anatomy and Physiology 1
This module will provide you with a foundation for clinical practice as a podiatrist. The module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the science related to the function of the human body. The module will address how the structure of the body complements its function; it will address the relationship of body organ systems and explore how the body is able to maintain homeostasis.
Podiatric Pathology
This module will introduce you to how the body defends itself against the environment. The module will also introduce pathology which is the study of disease and will look at some of the common podiatric pathologies which will affect the skin.
Professional Practice (Mental Wealth)
Subject to validation.
Practice based learning 1
This module will include patient contact for the first time; first within the UEL clinical setting and then on a week placement within an NHS podiatry department. It will allow you to start to expand upon the skills and knowledge you learnt in PT4213 under the guidance of your university lecturers and practise based clinical educators.
Podiatric Anatomy and Physiology 2
This module will further your study of anatomy, functional anatomy and physiology. It will look at how anatomy and physiology combine to allow for human movement in the context of gait and introduce basic orthotic theory.
Year 2
CORE MODULES
Podiatric Practice 2
This module will allow you to develop your clinical assessment, diagnostic and treatment skills for foot and lower limb conditions commensurate with clinical podiatry practice at level 5. You will facilitate and develop opportunities for reflective and clinical reasoning skills. You will evaluate the evidence base for podiatric modalities.
Podiatric Pathology 2
This module will help to further your understanding of physiological processes underpinning function and to appreciate the pathophysiology of disease processes. It will help to advance your theoretical knowledge underpinning clinical practice and to introduce an evidence informed approach to clinical practice.
Practice Based Learning 2
This module will continue to provide you with the opportunity to develop and advance your skills and understanding of podiatric practice. The module consists of two 5-week placements in NHS podiatry departments.
Research Methods
In this module you will develop an understanding of some of the methodologies commonly used so that you may contribute to the design of appropriate investigations and to an evaluation of the likely limitations and possible implications of the completed study. (These will include qualitative research methodologies, e.g. ethnography and phenomenology, as well as quantitative, e.g. the cross-sectional survey, case control and cohort studies, and the double-blind randomised controlled trial).
The module will develop your ability to organise, analyse and interpret data so that you may draw your own conclusions and may check whether researchers' claims appear to be reasonable and/or offer a distorted representation of the evidence.
You will develop an understanding of some of the questions commonly asked so that you may contribute intelligently to the collection of service-related data and be ready to modify your thinking and amend practice accordingly. (These will include questions about the cause of a condition, the relative efficacy of alternative interventions, and the relative cost of alternative modes of delivery, but they will also include questions about the effect of practice on outcome, the extent to which professional standards have been implemented, the management, evaluation, and improvement of performance, and the satisfaction of patients).
Podiatric Pharmacology
This module will allow you to develop professionally focused knowledge and theories for prescription only medicines - administration (POM-A) and prescription only medicines – sale/supply (POM-S) in podiatric practice, in accordance to the Health Professionals Council (HPC) standards. The module will also develop your ability to rationalise the pharmacological management of medical and surgical patients; including the indications for use, contraindications, interactions and adverse reactions of relevant POM-S and POM-A.
Musculoskeletal Podiatry
This module will enable you to develop a critical appreciation of the role of abnormal musculoskeletal function in the pathogenesis of common foot pathologies. It will also develop your understanding of the assessment tools used in the evaluation of foot and lower limb musculoskeletal function and enable you to develop critical appreciation of the management of a range of musculoskeletal pathologies affecting the foot.
Year 3
CORE MODULES
Research Governance and Leadership
In this module you will discuss the relationship between political, economic, technical, environmental and legal factors influencing practice (PESTEL) and the delivery of high quality packages of patient services. The module will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to understand complex originations and systems of work; manage and facilitate change; and analyse your own employability competencies and career management skills and outline your future development either in employment or enterprise.
Specifically this module will
- Advance your understanding of research methodologies in the clinical setting and enable you to design a research project/research proposal
- Develop an understanding of organisation, analysis and interpretation of data; preparing you to assess the implications of research and evaluation for professional practice and use research in the development and advancement of professional practice e.g. audit, service evaluation, patient satisfaction
- Finally, this module will help you to provide evidence of your development of personal skills and ethical qualities required when conducting research/practice evaluation.
Practice-Based Learning 3
This module is your penultimate 5-week placement with an NHS podiatry department. You will be able to continue to advance your clinical skills and ability to work as a professional before the final placement. You should be working with high risk patients and within more complex scenarios. The module provides you with the opportunity to develop competence in, and understanding of, podiatry skills and the process of clinical reasoning and reflection. The module also provides an opportunity to continue the process of professional socialisation and prepare for professional employment.
Podiatric Practice 3
On this module you will explore areas of established and emerging podiatry practice with the aim of challenging you to critically reflect on and discuss your professional practice considering future employment. The module will provide you with the opportunity to further develop your ability to practice effectively and independently within the clinical setting preparing you to take up the role of an independent and autonomous practitioner.
Complex Patients 1
This module will primarily focus on the management of the patient with complex medical needs that put the foot at risk of ulceration and potential amputation. On this module you will develop the knowledge gained in level 5 podiatric pathology and consider the impact of systemic disease on the foot and how the podiatrist, as well as other health professionals in the MDT, will manage the patient. Although the main emphasis will be on diabetes, you will discuss the aspects of wound assessment and wound care that is applicable to many other vascular and neuropathic conditions. Alongside these podiatry-specific topics, you will also develop some further skills in learning how to evaluate podiatric-specific evidence presented in research articles so that you can extract and present data in a meaningful way. Expert clinicians will be involved in the presentation of the information.
Complex Patients 2
This module will focus on some of the specialisms in podiatry, establishing the role of the podiatric specialist in the musculoskeletal management of the complex patient. On this module you will build upon the theoretical biomechanical knowledge of level 5 and consider the assessment and management of the complex patient such as the paediatric patient, podiatric sports injuries, patients with neurological disease. You will also build upon the pathology module of level 5, progressing your ability to assess and manage patients with rheumatic conditions. To support these topic areas, the use of radiological imaging and surgical management options will be included. The evidence-base supporting the management of the patient will be emphasised in all areas and critical evaluation skills developed enabling you to enter professional life being able to analyse and act upon new research, continually looking to enhance the assessment and management of the patient.
Practice Based Learning 4
This module is your final 5-week placement with an NHS podiatry department. You will be able to continue to advance your clinical skills and ability to work as a professional before graduation. This module acts as a transition from the university environment to the work environment.
