In this Q+A series, we interview a diverse range of speakers who are scheduled to speak at the Australian Podiatry Conference, which takes place in Brisbane between 22 to 24 June, 2023.
Meet Dr. Sarah Stewart from the Department of Podiatry, Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
Tell us about your presentation.
‘The patient experience of gout’ presentation will provide an overview of gout, including its pathophysiology and clinical presentation in the lower limb. There is a particular focus on the perceptions that people with gout have about their disease, and how it is managed.
Is there one particular angle in your presentation that you are most excited about?
Gout is often seen as a self-inflicted illness associated with negative stigma, that may lead to inaccurate beliefs about gout and how it is managed. Yet a lot of people in Australia, and here in Aotearoa New Zealand, have gout. Prevalence is particularly high among indigenous populations due to a genetic predisposition to high blood urate levels.
I believe we, as podiatrists, can play a key role in shifting the conversation about gout being caused by dietary-related factors, to the important role that the kidneys and urate-lowering medications have in reducing the frequency and severity of gout flares.
Can you share some information on your workshop?
The ‘Effective management of gout’ workshop focuses on how the effective prevention of gout requires taking long-term urate-lowering medication, despite gout flares being temporary. Gout is a serious long-term condition. This workshop will unpack common misinformation about the management of gout, so that you can feel confident that you are providing the best possible care and education to your patients.
What do you wish more podiatrists understood about this topic?
Many of us don’t realise that the cause of gout is 90 per cent genetics. Diet plays a very small role –only about 10 per cent. A lot of people with gout are faced with uncertainty about the cause and treatment of their disease. And the conflicting, and sometimes inaccurate, information that they’re exposed to – doesn’t help.
This information comes not only from friends, family, and the web, but also us as healthcare providers! Using diet alone to manage gout places the patient at a high risk for continued gout flares and joint damage, which can have huge impacts when the lower limb is involved.
Where can podiatrists find out more about you, and this topic?
My current list of publications is here and I can be contacted on sarah.stewart@aut.ac.nz
Meet Ian Griffiths Sports Podiatrist & Lecturer in Sports & Exercise Medicine from Pure Sports Medicine and Queen Mary University of London.
Tell us about your presentation.
Called, ‘Should we consider colour when prescribing foot orthoses?’, this presentation addresses how colour is a very easily modifiable prescription variable when prescribing foot orthoses; yet this is seemingly ignored or overlooked by many.
The presentation and workshop aims to discuss the potential value in deeper consideration of orthoses colour, to hopefully encourage people to think about how colour psychology may apply to podiatry practice.
Is there one particular angle in your presentation that you are most excited about?
I am very excited to hear the thoughts and opinions on this topic from podiatrists in Australia, as all of the data I have collected so far has only been from UK based clinicians. I’m also looking forward to interacting with podiatrists from different special interests outside of my own to see if they think applicability will be similar across the varying areas of podiatric practice.
Where can podiatrists find out more about you and this topic?
All of my contact details can be found here.
Meet Dr Brooke Patterson, a physiotherapist from La Trobe University Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre.
Tell us about your presentation.
Called, ‘The role of health and exercise professionals implementing injury prevention programs in community sport’, this presentation will result in attendees being able to:
Can you share some information on your workshop?
Titled, ‘How you can implement injury prevention programs in community sport’, my workshop provides a practical adjunct to the presentation – to further develop the above learning outcomes. I will be showing workshop participants how to use the Prep to Play injury prevention program , which is currently undergoing evaluation in over 2500 women and girls who play community football in Victoria. The trial protocol is here.
Is there one particular angle in your presentation and workshop that you are most excited about?
I am really excited to empower podiatrists to use their skills to get involved in delivering injury prevention, education and practical training in community sport. They have the skills to prevent and manage lower-limb injuries, whether it be via exercise-based injury prevention programs, taping, rehab exercises, load management and/or general health advice. It is a great opportunity to work with other health and exercise professionals.
What do you wish more podiatrists understood about this topic?
There are many mutual benefits for the club, the clinicians, and clinics. Community clubs love local experts and are quite often willing to pay for services, particularly if it is related to player health and safety. If not, we know we can’t prevent all injuries, and inevitably injured players will walk through the clinic door. Plus, it is lots of fun and rewarding to be involved in your local community.
Meet Dermatology Registrar Prue Gramp from the Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland.
Tell us about your presentation.
Called, ‘Palmoplantar Psoriasis’, this presentation discusses the subtypes of palmoplantar psoriasis – including hyperkeratotic palmoplantar psoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis and acrodermatitis continua of hallopeau. We will address the varied treatment modalities available, including practical tips for patients and an in-depth look at topical therapies.
Is there one particular angle in your presentation that you are most excited about?
Palmoplantar psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis that can be difficult to treat. It can require multimodality therapies including topicals, phototherapy and systemic treatments. We will discuss the topical treatments in detail, including over the counter and prescription treatments.
What do you wish more podiatrists understood about this topic?
Psoriasis is a condition of koebnerisation, meaning that new plaques or worsening of existing plaques can occur in sites of trauma. We would support regular fine debridement over more extensive or aggressive debridement. Podiatrists need to be aware of this to minimise trauma which could potentially worsen a patient’s disease.
Register now to see these speakers in action at the upcoming Australian Podiatry Conference that runs between April 22 to 24 in Brisbane. Early bird tickets close soon!
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