This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

PGW5116 - Diabetic foot

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Ms Adriana Tiziani

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For more information please contact the faculty at http://www.monash.edu.au/pharm/future/contact/

Offered

Parkville

First semester 2016 (Off-campus)
Second semester 2016 (Off-campus)

Notes

Previously coded PGW1116
For postgraduate coursework pharmacy discontinuation dates, please see http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/pg-coursework/unit-discontinuation-dates.html

Synopsis

This unit deals with the assessment and management of clients with diabetic foot disease. We explore the aetiology and clinical presentation of complications of diabetes mellitus that manifest in the lower limb and foot. Assessment of diabetic foot disorders will focus on pressure and foot mechanics, peripheral sensation and circulation. Clinical management and evaluation of diabetic foot wounds will cover wound dressings, antibiotics, debridement and orthopaedic reconstruction, along with other health related issues.

Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

Review the anatomy and unique weight bearing functions of the foot.
Review the pathophysiology, general clinical presentation and medical management of diabetes mellitus.
Describe the aetiology, pathophysiology and clinical presentation of lower limb and foot complications in diabetes mellitus.
Discuss issues associated with weight bearing functions of the foot and the role of mechanical factors in diabetic foot ulceration.
Identify and discuss the causes of foot ulceration in diabetes demonstrating an appreciation for the multi-factorial nature of this complication.
Describe the process of clinical assessment of the foot in diabetes and the diabetic foot wound.
Identify and discuss what constitutes the 'high risk' foot in diabetes.
Detail the holistic management of diabetic foot wounds including local wound care, pressure reduction techniques, medical management, psychological/sociological aspects of the care plan and the role of the health care team.
Outline and describe the potential complications of diabetic foot wounds including infection and amputation.

Assessment

Two minor assignments: 30%
One major assignment: 50% (hurdle)
Participation in online tutorials: 20%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average 10-12 hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include teacher directed learning, reading time, participation in tutorials or discussion groups, research and preparation for assignments.

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Adriana Tiziani

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Wound care

Prohibitions

PGW1116 (VCW1116)