Micro-Credentials for Foot Care Professionals

Foot Care professionals across Canada will soon be able to step up their game thanks to four new micro-credential courses offered by Western Continuing Studies.

“These courses are designed to provide up-skilling opportunities for existing Health Care Practitioners within the Foot Care industry,” says Kelly Robb, micro-credentials project manager, instructor in Western University’s Post-Degree Diploma in Pedorthics and post-doctoral fellow at Wilfrid Laurier University. “They will also address knowledge gaps that are vital to improving the quality of life for people living with diabetes and chronic foot and ankle disability.”

Continue reading below, or online.

Specialized eight-week stackable courses

Three of the specialized micro-credentials – Basic Orthotic Science (coming September 2022), Advanced Orthotic Science (coming January 2023), and Footwear and Orthotic Considerations for the Patient with Diabetes (coming May 2023) – will be open to Canadian Certified Pedorthists, Chiropodists, Orthotists, Prosthetists, Podiatrists, Physicians and Foot Care nurses.

A fourth course – Diabetes Pathology and Management (coming January 2023) – will also be open to all Allied Health Professionals (clinicians), as well as Kinesiology and Health Sciences undergraduates.

All four courses will be offered online, with in-person learning options planned for future offerings. Classes run for eight weeks, and Robb says students should expect to dedicate around three hours each week to their self-directed learning.

Learners may take one course, or can stack the Foot Care micro-credentials to earn a Certificate in Orthotic Science or a Certificate in Diabetic Foot Care Management from Western Continuing Studies.

The courses are all eligible for continuing education points from the College of Pedorthics of Canada.

Up-skill in a high demand industry

With one in three Canadians living with Diabetes – a leading cause of foot problems – foot orthotics is a 3-billion-dollar industry with skilled foot care professionals in high demand.

Robb’s own interest in Pedorthics developed after an injury. “In university I had the opportunity to shadow a Pedorthist and I fell in love with the field,” she says. Having recently completed her PhD in Neuromechanics, Robb says she remains passionate about feet and education. “I am really interested in how orthotics work, why they work, and how to best improve patient care.”

Learn from a national leader in foot care education

Western currently offers the only Post-Degree Diploma in Pedorthics in Canada, says Robb, giving the school a strong knowledge base and experienced roster of instructors for the new foot care-related micro-credentials. Industry experts Michael Ryan and Kathleen Klement developed the micro-credentials and will be instructors for the courses. 

“There are very few educational opportunities available to Canadian foot care experts,” Robb notes. “These new micro-credentials give practitioners the chance to gain confidence in the most up-to-date and evidence-based medicine within the Orthotic industry.”

Nicole Laidler is a freelance reporter, copywriter and content creator, serving clients in London, Toronto and throughout Southwestern Ontario. She helps people grow their success, one word at a time.