Advanced Practicing Podiatrists - High Risk Foot Group News

Inspiro Community Health Job Vacancy

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 06:21:49 GMT

Inspiro Community Health is currently seeking an enthusiastic and client-focused Grade 2 Podiatrist to join their supportive and well-established team servicing Victoria's Yarra Ranges. Full details are available at the following link:

https://inspiro.org.au/job-listings/grade-2-podiatrist/

The ACADI Training Program Network

Mon, 01 May 2023 10:01:05 GMT

ACADI is creating a range of activities as part of a Training Program to prepare students and researchers in diabetes and its complications to become future leaders in innovation. It will offer critical skills in commercialisation and research translation, alongside diabetes knowledge from people living with diabetes, and clinical and regulatory perspectives.

Please see the ACADI survey (link below) for students or Early-mid career researchers working on any project relating to diabetes and its complications.

Registering for the Training Program Network will be of great benefit to the students and researchers. It will ensure they receive notice of opportunities for:

PhD and ECR grant funding.
Mentoring from clinical and industry leaders.
Funding for health tech innovations.
Monthly seminars.

PhD opportunity in project involved in ACADI on predicting healing of DFU

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 00:08:40 GMT

PhD opportunity in project involved in ACADI on predicting healing of DFU

Supervisors
Primary: Prof Dinesh Kumar
Secondary: Dr Rajna Ogrin, Bolton Clarke

Each year in Australia diabetes related foot disease causes an estimated 27,600 public hospital admissions, 4,400 lower extremity amputations, 1,700 deaths, and costs the Australian health system $1.6 billion annually (https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/facts-and-figures).

Despite best practice, over 30% of diabetes related foot ulcers (DRFU) do not heal in the expected trajectory leading to high healthcare cost and morbidity. There is therefore a strong unmet clinical need for devices to monitor chronic wounds in order to improve wound management and reduce the debilitating sequelae of these wounds. Predictive knowledge regarding whether an ulcer is healing at the expected trajectory is crucial for timely clinical decisions and can prevent limb loss. Implementing adjuvant therapies at an early stage in wounds predisposed to delayed progression leads to improved outcomes. There are no existing effective and feasible methods of predicting wound healing in DFRU.

Our earlier studies using thermal imaging used area of the thermal image, which however was highly sensitive to ambient conditions. Subsequently, we have developed an improved version of the thermal image method for venous leg ulcers. It is essential to further this work such that it is suitable for diabetic foot ulcers which is suitable for a PhD project.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of research and clinical experts across multiple universities and partner organisations who form the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI). ACADI was launched in 2022, with the purpose of delivering novel interventions for timely diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications. ACADI (established through the Medical Research Future Fund from the Australian Government’s Targeted Translation Research Accelerator program, delivered by MTPConnect) is a virtual, multidisciplinary, collaborative diabetes centre.

This scholarship opportunity is provided by RMIT University and the successful candidate will be enrolled at RMIT University. The candidate may have the background in science, engineering or healthcare disciplines and will be situated within the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) (a partner between Diabetes Victoria and RMIT University) and will work closely together with researchers and clinicians at multiple Hospitals in Victoria. We invite expressions of interest from eligible applicants to complete a full-time PhD in diabetes research with focus on recording and analysis of images of the diabetic foot ulcers. Time will also be spent at the office of the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (Melbourne CBD).

For all enquiries please contact:
Professor Dinesh Kumar: dinesh.kumar@rmit.edu.au or
Dr Rajna Ogrin: rogrin@boltonclarke.com.au

Monash Health Head of Podiatry & Allied Health Administration

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 06:58:21 GMT

A rare and great leadership opportunity - Head of Podiatry and Allied Health Administration.

Employment type: Full Time Ongoing

Position Classification: Grade 5 Podiatrist (CV21)

Position Number: 53139

Applications Close: 13th May 2022

Applicants are requested to apply via the Monash Health online Mercury System only. Email applications will not be considered.

LEAP 2022 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 00:40:38 GMT

Call for Abstracts

Rapid Round Presentations

Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Conference 2022

Conference Theme – Staying in Step: Evidence to practice change

Our conferences aim to support clinicians to provide best practice care, and empower their clients.

The Scientific Committee invites submissions of abstracts of original, high risk foot research. We are seeking presentations on areas that have a strong clinical application in the assessment, diagnosis and management of people with high risk foot conditions. Selection of abstracts for the Scientific Program will be made by the conference committee.

Abstracts are due Friday 3rd June 2022

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 1^st July 2022

All presenters must register and pay to attend the conference by Monday 11^th July 2022

Please email your submission to: app-hrf@ozemail.com.au

Abstract Submission Guidelines:

Authors and affiliations: Authors (Arial, size 12 font. Surname, Initial. Presenting author to be in bold and italics. Affiliations number in superscript. Centred) eg Smith, B¹, Doe, J²; Affiliations: (Arial, size 12, Italics font. Organisation, City, Country) eg ¹ Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

Title (max 50 words) conveying the topic and nature of the research

Abstract body (max 250 words) to include the headings: Background and Aims; Methods; Results and Conclusions

Before writing your abstract: Consider the following:

o How to introduce your work (what is the background/rationale for the research?)
o What data to include in order to answer the research question
o How the data is best presented
o What conclusions you can draw from the results and who they apply to
o How you can link your research outcomes and conclusions to clinical practice

Indicate your preference for one of the following:

1. 3 minute Rapid presentation with a focus on key outcomes and implications for their research
2. 10 minute Abstract presentation

We will consider your preference where possible.

HSO Level P2 Podiatry Position Kimberley WA

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:29:59 GMT

An exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in relation to the effective delivery of the Kimberley Foot Initiative (KFI) project.

Employment type: Temporary Full Time 7 March 2022-30 June 2022 with the possibility of extension)

Position Classification: HSO Level P2

Remuneration: $105,824-$112,443 (plus allowances) per annum

Position Number: 613432

Applications Close: 25th February 2022

Applicants are requested to submit a current Curriculum Vitae including at least two referees and lodge a written expression of interest including brief details (no more than 2 pages) detailing your skills, knowledge and why you should be considered for this position.

Please mark the application “EOI – Private and Confidential” and forward to Chris Hart, Allied Health Manager by one of the following methods:

Email: chris.hart@health.wa.gov.au

Mail: PMB 525, Broome WA 6725

In Person: Yamamoto House, Carnarvon St, Broome WA 6725

A message from Dr Michael Dillon regarding the Amputation Decision Aid Website Launch

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 06:02:31 GMT

Amputation Decision Aid launch!

Dear colleagues,

We’re very excited to reconnect as we launch the Amputation Decision Aid website. The website includes a collection of freely available resources to help people make more informed decisions about partial foot amputation due to peripheral arterial disease.

At some point during the research and development phase, we’ve personally connected with well over 100 different people. Some of you will have reached out following a conference, or expressed interest in using these resources in clinical practice. Others will have participated in the expert panels that helped guide this work. Your support and encouragement has been motivating, and a reminder of the need for the resources we’ve developed.

“We want to fundamentally change the way decisions are made about amputation surgery. We want to ensure people have access to meaningful conversations with a healthcare provider; conversations that include accurate and unbiased information about their treatment options, the likely outcomes, as well as the risks. We want to see people supported as they deliberate on such a difficult decision. Only then can people make truly informed decisions about amputation surgery.”

– Associate Professor Michael Dillon, La Trobe University.

We are so pleased to reconnect during this launch of the Amputation Decision Aid, and to encourage you to explore the website and make use of the shared decision-making resources including the:

· Amputation Decision Aid - specifically written for people facing the prospect of partial foot amputation due to peripheral arterial disease. It includes unbiased information about the different options, the likely outcomes, and risks of complications in simple terms that are easily understood.

· Amputation Discussion Guide – a companion resources for healthcare professionals that includes up-to-date research evidence and example conversation starters to facilitate meaningful conversations tailored to the needs of each individual patient.

· Training videos – a series of five, short, animated videos to help healthcare providers learn more about shared decision-making, and how to use our resources in clinical practice.

Given your interest and support over time, we would be grateful if you would:

· Read our launch information on LinkedIn. Please like, comment, and share the article with your colleagues

· Check out our website to learn more

· Promote the website and its resources through your professional networks

· Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date with our work. Please like, comment, or retweet our posts

If you’d like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you.

We would like to take this chance to acknowledge and thank our partners; in particular the generous financial support provided by the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association.

In closing, we wanted to again say thank you for your interest and engagement during the development of these shared decision-making resources. We hope you find the resources valuable. In due course, we would love to hear about your experience using them, and how we might make them better in the years ahead.

Regards,

Michael

Dr. Michael Dillon, PhD. on behalf of the developers.

Level 1/2 Podiatry position Tamworth NSW

Georgina Frank — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 09:08:12 GMT

Rural nsw podiatry opportunity

A unique full time opportunity exists for a Podiatrist to join a dynamic team based at Tamworth to gain experience in High risk foot and generalist podiatry.

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until 30th June 2022

Position Classification: Podiatrist Level 1 / 2

Remuneration: $64.463 - $93,393 per annum
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ240413

Applications Close: 6th July 2021

Follow the link to apply: https://jobs.health.nsw.gov.au/hnelhd/jobs/podiatrist-level-1-2-108512?et=2bMiH1lnh

South Burnett Allied Health Is Advertising For A Senior Podiatrist HP4

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 00:42:37 GMT

QLD/DD2104369661 - Senior Podiatrist HP4

Closing date of 11.59pm on 5th May 2021

https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-DD2104369661

Hunter New England LHD is advertising for a Podiatry Level 1/2 at 1.0 FTE.

Georgina Frank — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 04:19:35 GMT

Hunter New England LHD is advertising for a Podiatry Level 1/2 at 1.0 FTE.

REQ218852 - Podiatrist Level 1 / 2

Closing date of 11:59pm on 6^th April 2021.

https://jobs.health.nsw.gov.au/hnelhd (HNE Health Career Portal)

https://healthnswgov.referrals.selectminds.com/ (NSW Health Career Portal)

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/ ( I work for NSW website)

It will also appear on Facebook on 29 March 2021.

LEAP21 Cancelled

Georgina Frank — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 03:28:08 GMT

Watch this space for virtual and state-based educational and networking opportunities!

Pilot New Graduate Mentoring Program - Watch this Space!!

Georgina Frank — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 00:10:52 GMT

Australian Risk Stratification Pathway

Georgina Frank — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 23:32:03 GMT

Launch of national Integrated Diabetes foot care pathway (australia)

The NDSS FootForward initiative launched a new diabetes foot risk stratification tool at the 2020 Australian Diabetes Congress.

Diabetes foot risk stratification and triage

A Risk Stratification Pathway categorises people with diabetes into four risk categories (very low, low, moderate and high) and provides a definition of each category. These are linked to actions which provide a guide to services or interventions the person with diabetes should receive and who should deliver that care.

Active foot disease pathway

The Active Foot Disease Pathway classifies the main categories of active foot disease that can affect people with diabetes and provides a definition of each category. As with the stratification pathway, it is linked to actions, services and guidance on who is best placed to deliver the required care.

LEAP 2020 Call For Abstracts

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 07:03:29 GMT

LEAP 2020 – Call For Abstracts

Lightning Presentations – Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Conference 2020

Conference Theme – Staying in Step: Evidence to practice change.

The Scientific Committee invites submissions of abstracts of original research in the area of the high risk foot. We are seeking presentations on areas that have a strong clinical application, and impact on clinical practice in the assessment, diagnosis and management of the high risk foot that can support clinicians to provide best practice care, and to empower and support their clients. Lightning talks are concise oral presentations of 3 minutes duration, requiring the speaker to focus on the key points of their research.

Abstracts are due no later than 5.00pm AEST, Friday 17^th April 2020

Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 1^st June 2020

Selection of abstracts for the Scientific Program will be made by the conference committee

Abstract Submission Guidelines:

Title (max 50 words): The title should be as brief as possible while still conveying the topic and nature of the research

Abstract body (max 250 words)

To include the headings: Background and aims; Methods; Results and Conclusions

Before writing your abstract: Consider the following:

How to introduce your work (what is the background/rationale for the research?)
What data to include in order to answer the research question
How the data is best presented
What conclusions you can draw from the results and who they apply to
How you can link your research outcomes and conclusions to clinical practice

All presenters must be registered to attend the conference. Abstract acceptance will be subject to registration for the conference. Please remember that submitting an abstract does NOT automatically register as a conference delegate. Conference registration can be completed online at a later date.

Please email your submission app-hrf@ozemail.com.au no later than 5:00pm AEST, Friday 17^th April 2020.

MBS wound management review update

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 23:56:12 GMT

The APP-HRFG committee has submitted the following recommendations to the MBS Review Taskforce to be considered for plans to modify the MBS in relation to high risk foot services:

5.1.1 Recommendation 1

We question the rationale of the age requirement of patients at risk of developing a chronic wound being over 75 years; we recommend that the committee consider no age restrictions in patients with comorbidities or any known diabetes complication. As cited in the rationale/reference to recommendation 1 (page 32) people 65 years and older account for 85% of non-healing wounds in the USA. An age restriction on access to a chronic wound review may delay referral to an appropriate service and expert care.

5.1.3 Recommendation 2:

Referral to a specialist may be necessary if the following is occurring:

We suggest an amendment in replacing the current ABPI cut-off of 0.5 and changing the language to be in line with the evidence presented in the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidelines 2019.
The review must include toe pressures or TcPO₂ readings as indicators of peripheral artery disease – instead of ABPI – in line with IWGDF guidelines, as ABPIs are known to be inaccurate (falsely elevated) in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease due to Monckberg’s calcification. This reflects the best current evidence available.

5.1.9 Recommendation 5:

Allied health services (podiatry in particular) should have specified item numbers for neuro/vascular assessment, wound debridement and specific offloading interventions and not just an increase in number of visits. Funding appropriate assessment will improve treatment planning and longer-term care. An increase in number of services without demonstrated requirements of evidence-based assessments and interventions may be subject to misuse.
Appropriate evidence of documentation and additional communication with the patient’s treating team is required, consistent with current requirements for correspondence under TCAs.

5.1.11 Recommendation 6:

We suggest incorporating existing referral guidelines including those from the Foot Forward project for consistency and to assist GPs in decision-making for timely onward referrals. The IWGDF and the Foot Forward project have compiled the evidence base for interventions that aid the management of the diabetic foot; and Diabetic Foot Australia have published local guidelines for offloading diabetic foot wounds which are known cornerstones in diabetic foot wound management. There is sufficient evidence for cost effectiveness of offloading to be standard care as part of chronic wound management on the foot.

6. Education, credentialing and accreditation

We suggest that it should be mandatory for allied health practitioners working in private practice to be able to claim specific item numbers – should additional requirements for credentialing or evidence of experience or expertise in advanced wound care be required, it is imperative that this is done through AHPRA and not membership-based organisations.

6.1.9 Recommendation 20:

Allied health and nurse practitioner services should also meet similar requirements to access subsidised wound consumables. Failure to do so will place further burden on patients who will be required to travel from their podiatrist to their GP for a dressing change following a podiatric debridement of a diabetic foot ulceration.

6.1.13 Recommendation 22:

AHPRA is the only appropriate organisation to manage and monitor accreditation. If this requirement is to be taken on by another body, there would be duplication, and a further level of bureaucracy. There would be a delay in establishing the credentialing process and which organisations could undertake such credentialing. Wound/Ulcer management is a core podiatry competency.

7.2.1 Recommendation 24: Development of a wound consumables scheme:

As highlighted in our response to Recommendation 6, there is strong evidence for the cost effectiveness of offloading modalities in the healing and prevention of chronic foot wounds. Funding streams are currently inadequate, resulting in poor outcomes for people at risk of or living with these wounds. For example, in Victoria an approved State-Wide Equipment Program (SWEP) application can take 6 months before funding is available, and the Tasmanian Southern Footwear Scheme has similar wait times. The NDIS is only available to patients under 65 so a significant proportion of individuals with chronic foot wounds have inadequate access to footwear or offloading modalities.
As such, we suggest the inclusion of medical grade footwear and offloading modalities such as a CAM Walker or Total Contact Cast as part of the scheme.

We also ask that members of the taskforce consider the following recommendations:

Include podiatrists, in addition to general practitioners and nurses, as professionals trained and credentialed to access MBS wound care item numbers. Assessment, prevention and management of chronic foot wounds are part of podiatry core competencies and podiatrists are acknowledged to play a crucial role in this field. Podiatrists should also be subject to education and training requirements to ensure those who claim in primary care are equipped to do so safely.
The mandated referral to a ‘specialist wound care practitioner’ should refer specifically to local High Risk Foot Services for treatment of chronic foot wounds. The national, federally funded Foot Forward project is currently defining a national referral pathway to minimise delays in referring individuals with diabetic foot wounds to tertiary, multidisciplinary services where highest levels of evidence-based care are provided.

Links/References

ANZPAC Podiatry competencies: http://www.anzpac.org.au/files/Podiatry%20Competency%20Standards%20for%20Australia%20and%20New%20Zealand%20V1.1%20211212%20(Final).pdf

International Guidelines for the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease (2019): https://iwgdfguidelines.org/

Foot Forward project (National Association of Diabetes Centres): https://nadc.net.au/foot-forward/

MBS wound management review

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 05:12:00 GMT

The MBS review into wound management has been released - please see the following link from the wound management working group:

MBS Review

As there are a number of areas of concern regarding HRF, the APP-HRF committee will be providing a submission to the taskforce. We welcome all members to send us your feedback by COB 10th January 2020.

New APP-HRF Committee

Stephen Tucker — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:22:53 GMT

Following the 2019 AGM on 22nd September the following people have been elected to the APP-HRFG Committee

Pamela Chen (Tas) President
Justin Bradley (Vic) Vice President
Stephen Tucker (Vic) Treasurer
Tracy Tibballs (Vic) Secretary
Cara Westphal (WA)
Clare McGloin (NSW)
Georgina Frank (NSW)
Julie Nguyen (Qld)
Virginia Black (Regional WA)

Wound Aware

Justin Bradley — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 21:41:27 GMT

Remember wound aware week from 15th to the 21st June.

Get your wound aware promotion packs from http://www.woundaware.com.au/

PoDFEd: Podiatrists and Diabetes Footcare Education

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:17:12 GMT

PoDFEd is a cross-sectional survey aiming to gather data via a 15 minute survey on the content and method of diabetes related education provided by podiatrists (Monash University ethics approval 12777)

To complete the survey, please go to:

https://monashmnhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEbjdCkXdPhGFEN

Principal investigators of this project are:

Julia Yuncken mailto:julia.yuncken@monash.edu

Rene Stowlyn mailto:Rene.stowlyk@monash.edu

Terry Haines mailto:Terrence.haines@monash.edu

Cylie Williams mailto:cylie.wiliams@monash.edu

Urgo Start

Stephen Tucker — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:48:43 GMT

Sucrose octasulfate dressing versus control dressing in patients with neuroischaemic diabetic foot ulcers (Explorer): an international, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Implications of all the available evidence

Sucrose octasulfate dressings could be used in current local treatment and management of neuroischaemic diabetic foot ulcers. In the context of multidisciplinary and complex management of this condition, efficient and safe treatments that are also easy to implement by all health-care professionals are needed. Sucrose octasulfate dressings could be considered as a new standard of care.