Sarah Bird, 28 November, 2022
Sarah Bird is in her third year of studying a Bachelor of Podiatry. These are her experiences and what she’s looking forward to in her fourth year.
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Why did you choose podiatry?
I was really interested in postural abnormalities, and I was looking at different courses. When looking at the foundation of human function it’s feet. Healthy feet are vital for a healthy body.
What’s the benefit of studying podiatry at QUT?
QUT’s podiatry course has provided me with lots of fun and exciting opportunities. Practical experiences at the QUT Health Clinics have given me the chance to work with a diverse range of patients. The incredible supervisors are supportive, encouraging and really want to help you become the best practitioner you can be. It’s a hands-on degree that is challenging but ever so rewarding.
Have you used any interesting technology or equipment that allowed you to offer a better level of patient care?
The QUT Health Clinics have some of the most incredible podiatric technologies available to students. There are special machines such as the Pedar, Emed and Zebris that measure plantar pressures. These technologies help when prescribing treatment options for patients. Having access to these incredible tools prepare us for the real world where we will be regularly using technology to create treatment pathways. The university also has an incredible orthotics lab where you get to practice both traditional casting techniques and digital laser scans to create orthotic devices. Learning how to produce an orthotic device from scratch has been one of the highlights of the degree.
What’s the most exciting experience you’ve had in your podiatry course?
The most exciting thing I have experienced so far in this course was participating in a community event providing basic health care to those in need. The students who chose to participate provided podiatry care and advice to patients who were most at need. This was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I highly recommend taking part in as many optional workshops/community events as possible. It’s a great way to give back to the community and the learning opportunity is priceless.
What’s your advice for new podiatry students?
Something I wish I knew in first year was time management! It’s very important to make sure you stay on top of your workload. There is a lot to do.
What do you enjoy about uni?
One of the best things about university is all the beautiful people you meet. My podiatry cohort is really small, we are all here to support one another and have created lifelong friendships. QUT also has a plethora of wonderful clubs and groups that you can be involved in, this is a great way to explore new interest and meet wonderful people.
Have you been on any practical experiences? Could you describe where you went and what it was like?
I am about to undertake an interstate placement in Tasmania for my fourth year public placement. I will be staying in a small coastal town and working along side a rural podiatrist who services the wider Tasmanian community. I am so grateful that QUT has provided me the opportunity to travel outside of Queensland for my placement. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to explore a new town. QUT has a wide range of placement opportunities all over Australia.
Where do you see yourself working when you graduate?
I hope to work in a rural setting and see a diverse range of patients from all different walks of life. I hope to work in public health and treat those most in need. I am excited to see where podiatry takes me. This degree can take you around the world.
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