Study Guide

Objectives

Podiatrists are lower extremity experts who strive to promote their clients’ foot health as well as ability to move and function. They are able to make independent decisions, operate in a client-oriented manner and by making use of multi-professional cooperation.

Podiatrists’ assessment skills base on understanding mobility and function, the biomechanics of the lower extremities as well as foot diseases and musculoskeletal problems. Podiatrists identify deviances and problems in movement and lower extremities’ function as well as their causes and consequences.

The work of podiatrists emphasises holistic individual and group guidance and counseling that promote foot health and functional ability. Also the role of wellbeing technology and remote guidance in the work is increasing. The main methods involve treatment of skin and nail changes, treatment of foot wounds, assistive therapy − including individual support insoles and special footwear − therapeutic exercise and manual therapy.

Podiatrists are able to search for evidence-based information and use it in planning, implementing and justifying their own actions.

Degree programme description

The degree in podiatry covers 210 ECTS credits. The studies consist of core competence studies (165 ECTS credits) and complementary competence studies (45 ECTS credits).

During the first year of studies, you learn the basics of a podiatrist’s work. The studies focus on the basics of podiatric examination and foot health. You also learn anatomy, physiology, and the most typical skin diseases. You study the basics of podiatry and foot health, diabetic podiatry, and practice the basic methods of podiatry. You can strengthen your language and communication skills during the first year.

During the second year of studies, you learn more about using podiatric methods for different target groups. You learn about the risk factors of the most important diseases and injuries from the point of view of the profession, prevention and treatment principles, and the effect of diseases and injuries on functional ability. You develop your competence in methods of promoting foot health and movement and supporting work and functional ability. You also learn the customer-oriented assistive technology process and develop yourself in conducting biomechanical studies of podiatry. You learn to use the methods of podiatric research, assessment, and influence during the different stages of the podiatry process in professional settings.

During the third year, you apply podiatry methods in demanding and authentic professional situations in various podiatry environments. Your clientele consists of special groups, and you work in multiprofessional cooperation with various professionals. You strengthen your professional skills according to your own interests and choices. You also start working on your bachelor’s thesis.

The last semester of the studies strengthens your expertise with your final practical training period and your bachelor’s thesis.

Each semester includes supervised practical training and/or clinical practice (a total of 65 ECTS credits). At the beginning of the studies, practical training takes place on campus: in the service unit Elixiiri, simulation environments, the performance laboratory, and in learning projects. As the studies progress, practical training takes place in workplaces located in different parts of Finland − in various healthcare and rehabilitation environments − to give you a versatile picture of a podiatrist's work.

The core competence studies in podiatry (165 ECTS credits) consist of the following study modules of 15 to 65 ECTS credits:

• Common studies (30 ECTS credits)
• Professional studies (55 ECTS credits)
• Basics of podiatry expertise (15 ECTS credits)
• Examination and guidance in podiatry (15 ECTS credits)
• Treatment and rehabilitation skills in podiatry (15 ECTS credits)
• Podiatric specialty (10 ECTS credits)
• Bachelor's thesis (15 ECTS credits)
• Practical training and clinical practice (65 ECTS credits)

In the supplementary competence studies (45 ECTS), you can deepen and expand your professional competence in accordance with your study and career plan. You can also choose courses from other degree programmes and universities of applied sciences.


Complementary competence at Xamk

Complementary competence comprises students’ optional studies. Complementary competence deepens or expands the core competence of the degree programme and allows you to specialise in a particular area. For professional optional studies, you can choose from individual courses or study modules in accordance with your personal study plan. The complementary competence selection includes Xamk-level multidisciplinary online studies, field-specific studies, and degree programme specific studies.

Other optional studies included in complementary competence are higher education courses that students can freely choose. You can choose up to 15 ECTS credits of other optional studies. You may also complete complementary competence study modules or courses from the selection of other higher education institutions, where applicable. The scope of complementary competence is, depending on the scope of core competence studies, 45–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 210 credits and 60–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 240 credits.

Implementation of studies

You can complete your podiatry studies blended studies (part-time) on Savonlinna campus. Studies take about 3.5 years to complete.

The studies involve different study methods and environments: they range from contact teaching to independent learning assignments and exams, group work, online studies, working life and other projects, and learning through practical training.

The studies include 65 ECTS credits of practical training, of which 30 ECTS credits are carried out on campus and in projects in a variety of practical situations. The studies as clinical practice outside campus is 35 ECTS credits. You can also complete these training periods for example in your home region.


Flexible study opportunities

At the beginning of the studies, you prepare your personal study plan (PSP) which helps you make choices related to the studies, practical training, bachelor’s thesis and international activities. We make every effort to ensure that you can plan your studies in the best way possible, according to your own life situation.

The studies are implemented using various methods:
· lectures
· independent assignments
· teamwork
· online studies
· projects with companies and other organisations
· projects carried out at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
· examinations
· practical training.

Career opportunities

Qualified podiatrists work in a title-protected health care profession.
They work with clients with high risks, such as diabetics and rheumatics. Clients can have a variety of lower extremity strain injuries, structural changes, skin and nail changes and diabetic foot problems for example.

Podiatrists work as experts in various multidisciplinary health care teams with physicians, diabetes and rheumatology nurses, physiotherapists and assistive technology technicians. Podiatrists work in an entrepreneurial and innovative way.

The job descriptions of podiatrists vary depending on the workplace, and the work may, for example, focus on clinical podiatry, orthosis and insole therapy, or sales work, or it may include all of them. Individual and group counseling as well as mentoring of other health care personnel are part of podiatrists’ work.

Your job could be, for example, in one of the following:
• primary care
• specialist care
• rehabilitation facility
• aid unit
• consulting, sales and project assignments
• training assignments
• footwear design

Many podiatrists also work as entrepreneurs or under a business name, for example, in a private medical practice. The expertise of podiatrists is also purchased from companies by public organisations and authorities.

The podiatrist’s title is a health care professional’s protected title. After graduation you apply for professional rights at Valvira, National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.

RDI and cooperation with world of work

Xamk is involved in several research, development and innovation projects which develop services and products to promote the wellbeing of the population. Bachelor’s theses can be integrated into regional RDI projects, or they can offer information or products to serve working life needs.

As a podiatry student, you can be involved in research, development and innovation (RDI), become familiar with cooperation networks and opportunities, and participate in various project events and activities that develop working life. You can also learn to design and implement innovative solutions to improve working life. You learn to recognize the importance of research and development and the opportunities for continuous development of working life.

Learning environments

Podiatry studies are carried out in various learning environments. Studies often take place in small groups where you learn at the same time the interaction and teamwork skills as well as self-management and responsibility needed in podiatry work.

Online learning environments and the use of remote connections are part of the study of podiatry. Online learning supports the flexibility of your studies and also enables you to participate in contact studies outside the place of education.

On campus, you study in a variety of projects, in home and hospital simulation environments, and in a functional laboratory, modeling real-life work situations. You can complete some of your studies by working in multidisciplinary small groups. The Degree Porgramme in Podiatry also has its own service unit Elixiiri on campus as a learning environment for practical training, where clients outside the school are taken care of.
https://360.xamk.fi/savonlinnan-kampus/hyvinvointipalveluja-tarjoava-elixiiri

You learn the practical skills of a podiatrist during clinical practice in health and rehabilitation work environments (eg. hospitals, health centers, companies, rehabilitation centers). You can participate in choosing the place for your clinical practice. Clinical practice can take place in your home region, or you can complete a part of it abroad as an international exchange student.

A wide range of research, development and innovation (RDI) projects offer you opportunities to combine your studies with the tasks offered by working life.