The Doctor of Podiatric Surgery (DPS) is a 5-year part-time postgraduate course for registered general podiatrists wishing to become podiatric surgeons. The course provides theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in podiatric surgery, as well as advanced research skills, beyond the entry-level podiatry degrees with the aim to produce graduates committed to the wellbeing of the patient, community and society as an accountable, responsible, lifelong learning, caring, safe and competent podiatric surgeon. The outcome, content and teaching conducted in this program are based on five domains to produce a: 1) podiatric surgeon, 2) professional and ethical practitioner, 3) communicator and collaborator, 4) lifelong learner and 5) quality and risk manager.

The structure and duration of the course has been careful planned as two streams, surgical and research streams, which run concurrently for the majority of the program. This is to ensure students are taught progressively with adequate time to consolidate surgical critical thinking skills, hands-on surgical skills and develop high-quality research skills.

The first year of the surgical coursework stream focuses on foundation topics such as body systems, pharmacology, foot and ankle pathology, interpretation of medical imaging as well as scheduled medicines and their use in podiatric surgery. The mode of delivery is predominantly online with lectures, tutorials and seminars. The research stream introduces the students to foundations in biostatics, qualitative methods and clinical epidemiology with aims to develop ideas for a research project.

In Year 2, under the surgical coursework stream, students undertake units that assist with their transition to the surgical learning environment. These units cover theoretical knowledge of surgical procedures, theatre etiquette, perioperative as well as therapeutic management of the patient. Learning is integrated with clinical workshops, early clinical experiences in live theatre as well as small group tutorials, lectures, laboratories and seminars. Transitioning from Year 2 to 3, students are on placements during the summer break to ensure clinical exposure is uninterrupted during their training. The research stream embarks the student on their research project whereby a thorough literature review, proposal and ethics application is produced.

Year 3, as part of the surgical coursework stream, students undertake placements in tertiary hospitals, surgical clinics and surgical theatres to develop their skills in communication, patient assessment, therapeutics, pre-operative workup, postoperative care as well as basic surgical skills and procedures. This is integrated with reflective logbooks, case studies, oral presentations, clinical workshops, lectures and seminars. Transitioning from Year 3 to 4, students are on placements during the summer break to ensure clinical exposure is uninterrupted during their training. The research stream is a continuation of the research project with elements of an ongoing research diary, oral presentation/s as well as abstract and preliminary article writing.

In Year 4, the surgical coursework stream is a continuation to develop and progress surgical skills and critical thinking. In addition to content taught prior, students continue to undertake placements focusing on patient selection, surgical procedure selection with reasoning, therapeutics, communication and intermediate surgical procedures. This too is integrated with reflective logbooks, case studies, oral presentations, clinical workshops, lectures and seminars. Transition from Year 4 to 5, students are on placements during the summer break to ensure clinical exposure is uninterrupted during their training. The research stream comes to an end midway through Year 4, whereby students are expected to produce a high quality dissertation.

The final year of study solely focuses on the surgical coursework stream. As students are becoming high critical thinkers by this stage, building on the skills taught previously, the program focuses on developing skills in complex patient management, the deteriorating patient, post-operative complications, therapeutics and advanced surgical procedures. Although the research stream finishes in Year 4, the student is encouraged to publish their research in a relevant high quality journal. The program is currently undergoing accreditation with our national regulator, and pending a successful accreditation result, students will be able to register and practice as podiatrists.