Is this true?

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I was researching Podiatry, and one piece of info I came accross claimed that Podiatrists handle roughly 40% of all foot/ankle issues.

To me it seems a bit low considering Pods are the specialists. I would have expected around 60%. Does that sound right to you?

Originally Posted by VBGLL

I was researching Podiatry, and one piece of info I came accross claimed that Podiatrists handle roughly 40% of all foot/ankle issues.

To me it seems a bit low considering Pods are the specialists. I would have expected around 60%. Does that sound right to you?

As in any survey, the results are only as accurate as the data collected. It really all depends on what they consider "foot/ankle issues".
Does a patient who FIRST goes to his/her PCP with an issue (due to insurance regulations) get counted in that data? If the answer is yes, the data will be skewed since many insurance companies require a patient to first be seen by the "gatekeeper" prior to referral to a specialist.

Does a patient who FIRST goes to the emergency room with a foot/ankle injury, infection, etc., get counted in that data prior to being referred to a specialist?

This question can be repeated in many different scenarios with a similar end point.

And of course some patients NEVER make it to the DPM. Some will see an orthopedic surgeon, some will see a rheumatologist, some will be turfed directly to physical therapy by the gatekeeper, some will see a neurologist, some will see a dermatologist, etc., etc.

So although you would certainly expect the percentage to be higher than 40%, there is actually a lot of competition from the specialists mentioned above, depending on the pathology, and as also stated, the percentage is also based on how the data was collected.

I've read surveys that were similar to the percentage you anticipated at about 60%.

I can't think of a single thing podiatrists do that someone else doesn't also do.

Originally Posted by NatCh

I can't think of a single thing podiatrists do that someone else doesn't also do.

Who else does nail avulsions?

Originally Posted by Ankle Breaker

Who else does nail avulsions?

ER docs, ER PAs, FP docs, FP PAs, dermatologists, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, probably a few others who know how to do it.

There are only 15k podiatrists. There is a national shortage and that is why pods only see 40% of foot problems.

Originally Posted by NatCh

I can't think of a single thing podiatrists do that someone else doesn't also do.

Come on NatCH, have you ever been to a podiatric seminar. Who else would wear polyester suits with white Rockports to a "formal" dinner?????

Originally Posted by PADPM

Come on NatCH, have you ever been to a podiatric seminar. Who else would wear polyester suits with white Rockports to a "formal" dinner?????

LMAO! Painfully true.

True...but can someone else do everything a pod does in one office visit such as routine foot care, wound care, trigger point injections, biomechanic/orthotic/gait evaluations, and shoewear evaluation/recommendation/modifications. Podiatry will remain a one-stop shopping center for all your foot needs....similar to Walmart.

Originally Posted by Podmeister

True...but can someone else do everything a pod does in one office visit such as routine foot care, wound care, trigger point injections, biomechanic/orthotic/gait evaluations, and shoewear evaluation/recommendation/modifications. Podiatry will remain a one-stop shopping center for all your foot needs....similar to Walmart.

Footmart.