Department of Podiatry

Course Philosophy & Aims

Course Philosophy   

The Department of Podiatry at La Trobe University has been a key provider of podiatric education within Australia for over 30 years, offering quality teaching programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Department prides itself on the responsive nature of its courses, which change and adapt to reflect educational, technical and professional advances over time.

At La Trobe University the undergraduate podiatry course aims to facilitate the growth and development of students into competent entry level practitioners, who embrace an ethos of high quality, professional, ethical and evidence based practice.

Clinical interaction is viewed as a highly important feature of the student academic experience, which is reflected within the course structure and the teachings offered. Holistic and multidisciplinary care is promoted as an integral component in the provision of well rounded health care and is viewed as a strength within the podiatry course. This is complimented by the position of the Department in the School of Human Biosciences and the collegial ties that exist with the other health related Schools, Departments and Centres within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Research and scholarly activity within the Department of Podiatry is viewed an essential component of academic life and is actively pursued by staff and students in a broad variety of areas. The ongoing development of a strong research culture promotes informed teaching, supports the development of knowledge, forward progression of the profession and embraces the Department’s philosophy of life long learning.

This philosophy enables the Department to comply with the mission statement of the Faculty of Health Sciences which is to provide high quality, relevant education for the health and human services professions; to conduct research to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities and the equity, efficiency and quality of health and human services; and to facilitate these goals through professional activities and community service

Course Aims

1. To produce a competent podiatric practitioner able to meet the demands of an entry level graduate to the podiatry profession.
2. To ensure evidence based practice underpins the teaching of the theoretical basis of podiatry.
3. To produce a reflective practitioner able to apply analytical and critical thinking to podiatric patient management.
4. To enable the student to communicate effectively with patients and other members of the health care team and be sensitive to the cultural and socioeconomic circumstances of the patient.
5. To develop the students understanding of the role of health education in podiatric management.
6. To ensure the graduate is able to treat the patient in a holistic manner, fully cognizant of the role of other members in the health care team.
7. To prepare the graduate for the varied employment opportunities in the healthcare system.
8. To foster the concept of life long learning through research, evidence based practice and continual professional development.

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Content Approved by: Head of Podiatry
Page maintained by: Podiatry Webmaster
Last Updated: February 16th, 2005