Podiatry, Diabetes and Wound Healing

This two-week rotation provides clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle concerns and comprehensive evaluation and treatment of diabetic patients including rotations in Endocrinology Clinic and the Wound Healing and Limb Preservation Center. The rotation has a focus on evaluation, preventative care and treatment of diabetic foot wounds and complications but will also include a full range of common foot and ankle diagnoses. Participants will work with members of the multidisciplinary team including podiatry, endocrinology diabetes educators and wound care nursing. The rotation is coordinated through the podiatry division and will include time in the endocrinology clinic as well as the wound care center. There may also be the opportunity to spend time in the operating room if desired.

Additional faculty: Dr. Rohit Jain, members of the podiatry and endocrine divisions.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic skills in obtaining a clinically relevant history regarding lower extremity pain complaints, diabetic foot screening and wound assessment.
2. Describe clinical presentation of new patient concerns of common foot pain, deformity and dermatologic concerns. 
3. Compose medical documentation of clinical presentation and physical exam with initial treatment plan of lower extremity concerns.
4. Discuss indications for and appropriate ordering of radiographic and special studies, vascular studies and labs as part of evaluation and developing treatment plan for lower extremity pain concerns, dermatologic issues and wound/infection assessment.
5. Demonstrate basic understanding of appropriate initial treatment options for lower extremity pain and foot deformity concerns, wounds and infections.
6. Demonstrate basic skills in obtaining a history and performing a physical exam with emphasis on Diabetes Mellitus and its complications.
7. Perform oral case presentations that are organized, appropriately detailed and endocrine-focused.
8. Compose medical notes that are organized, appropriately detailed and diabetes-focused.
9. Discuss indications for appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests for diabetes.
10. Describe common clinical presentations, evaluation and management of diabetes and its complications.