Would You Do It Again?

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Zaiko

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I saw this thread in another part of the forum but wondered the same about podiatry. This is directed at those currently in practice, residents or even 3rd/4th year students. Knowing what you know now, would you still go into podiatry or any other specialties in medicine?
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Ankle Breaker said:
If I didn't pursue podiatry and didn't do MD/DO school I would have become a nurse and gone for CRNA. The make tons of loot and are overseen by an MD anesthesiologist. Competition is a lot more fierce than any podiatry school admissions criteria though. Also you actually have to work as a nurse for several years to gain enough experience in the ICU before you can even apply for nurse anesthesia school. It's a long competitive road in its own right.

Other than that I would consider being a medical sales rep. They do very well for themselves, get to watch surgery all day, have a lot less stressful lives, and hang out with very attractive female colleagues. Throughout my journeys, every female medical sales rep I've come across has been stunning.
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As someone who's tossing between DPM and MD DO, would you honestly do podiatry again?
 
I disagree with the less stress as a sales rep, but if you land a good gig (Spine, Ortho, Trauma) it can be money.
 
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While I understand the desire to be 'top dog', I was referring more to the profession than the schooling. I'm not scared of a shortage, but instead am fearful of making the wrong decision -- hence shadowing.
 
i have only been in clinic for 5 weeks but i am confident that i made the right choice. i am loving every day of it. pod surg 1 has been my favorite class so far, followed closely by lower anatomy. in my current rotation i see patients with lots of abnormal gait and biomechanics and it's really quite fascinating. i have also worked in peds clinic a few times and it's challenging but rewarding. my shadowing experiences at various residency programs across the country during my 2nd year were all very positive as well. overall i am extremely pleased with my decision and i feel like the preclinical grind for the past 2 years was worth it.
 
I would do it again in a heart-beat. I love my profession. I love what I do. As a new practitioner, I have been very fortunate in receiving great support from my MD colleagues and hospital administration.

Are there issues with practicing Podiatry? Sure. Like every other medical specialty, we have issues of reimbursement, insurance companies, loans, malpractice, Health care reform, etc. The aforementioned posts eluded to such and that's why alternative or allied professions are becoming more popular in the health care industry. However, they have their own set of issues as well. The grass is always greener I suppose.

At the end of the day, everything boils down to what you want to accomplish as an individual.
 
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Fantastic post, PMSIII. I guess issues with practicing podiatry are dealt with by all physicians regardless of specialty.
 
Podiatry was the biggest mistake of my life. After ten years (2 year residency) I was sick of explaining this cult of a profession, third class status poor reimbursements. Male podiatrists discover what it is like to be treated like a woman in society. My husband us an MD, (ENT), and I am the office manager. I saw this and heard how little podiatry changed in the years and would never consider this farce of a profession. You do not see that you are being fed a bunch of propaganda that will never ever change. I feel sorry for the grads stuck with a ridiculous useless degree and debt. Pitiful. Get out while you can!
 
Zanenna, I am sorry you feel that way. If you wondered into this profession expecting to be put on a pedestal and have a job waiting for you at every hospital, I feel sorry for you. This profession like most demands a high level of excellence in order to gain respect. If you display competence in medicine and a mastery of your specific art, respect and monies will follow.

I turned down MD/DO opportunities and would gladly do it again. Some will prosper others will not, only time will tell what side I will eventually end up on.
 
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Zanenna said:
Podiatry was the biggest mistake of my life. After ten years (2 year residency) I was sick of explaining this cult of a profession, third class status poor reimbursements. Male podiatrists discover what it is like to be treated like a woman in society. My husband us an MD, (ENT), and I am the office manager. I saw this and heard how little podiatry changed in the years and would never consider this farce of a profession. You do not see that you are being fed a bunch of propaganda that will never ever change. I feel sorry for the grads stuck with a ridiculous useless degree and debt. Pitiful. Get out while you can!
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Not to be a total d-bag, but your English skills are deplorable. This was a challenging read, and I'm still not exactly sure what you just tried saying. Your gender identity/sexual orientation is irrelevant here, but are you a male or a female? I sort of have to assume you are a male because you are commenting on males in the profession, but statistically speaking, there is extremely more females married to males than males married to males - but I digress. I'm not sure if this is how you carry yourself in a professional setting, or perhaps you were just lackadaisical at your attempt at a post, but if this post is indicative of your language skills, its no wonder you didn't go far. I'm really not trying to be mean, but if you don't have at least a basic understanding of sentence structure/grammar, you probably won't go all that far in any professional field.
 
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Knowing what I know today, I would not do it again.
 
Zaiko said:
I saw this thread in another part of the forum but wondered the same about podiatry. This is directed at those currently in practice, residents or even 3rd/4th year students. Knowing what you know now, would you still go into podiatry or any other specialties in medicine?
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Without a doubt the answer is yes.
 
MaxillofacialMN said:
Not to be a total d-bag, but your English skills are deplorable. This was a challenging read, and I'm still not exactly sure what you just tried saying. Your gender identity/sexual orientation is irrelevant here, but are you a male or a female? I sort of have to assume you are a male because you are commenting on males in the profession, but statistically speaking, there is extremely more females married to males than males married to males - but I digress. I'm not sure if this is how you carry yourself in a professional setting, or perhaps you were just lackadaisical at your attempt at a post, but if this post is indicative of your language skills, its no wonder you didn't go far. I'm really not trying to be mean, but if you don't have at least a basic understanding of sentence structure/grammar, you probably won't go all that far in any professional field.
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"..there is extremely more females married to males..." :thumbdown:

Get a load of this guy. Wasn't the whole point of his useless post to point out the poster's poor grammar and syntax??

Strong work... EPIC FAIL
 
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Please refrain from personal insults and try to keep the thread on topic. If there are posts that you find inappropriate, please report them using the "Report" button. If there are members that you don't feel you can interact with appropriately, I encourage you to use the ignore feature.
 
ScootDoc said:
"..there is extremely more females married to males..." :thumbdown:

Get a load of this guy. Wasn't the whole point of his useless post to point out the poster's poor grammar and syntax??

Strong work... EPIC FAIL
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Hahaha, whoops *are*

Two things in my defense:

1. I'm not complaining about failing as a podiatrist and blaming it on factors outside my control. In theory, my post could have been absolutely dog-crap in quality, and I could still make the point and not be wrong. I might also fail as a podiatrist because I don't have solid verb agreements, who knows.

2. The post I quoted is still riddled with errors.


:D

Edit: I'm not trying to engage anyone - just explaining my reasoning! I believe an assessment of someone's post quality is a fair rubric to judge their ability to be a competent professional in the medical community.
 
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Zaiko said:
I saw this thread in another part of the forum but wondered the same about podiatry. This is directed at those currently in practice, residents or even 3rd/4th year students. Knowing what you know now, would you still go into podiatry or any other specialties in medicine?
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Absolutely. This is a great profession and it's only getting better.
 
For those who stated they would not do it again, could you please elaborate on why and what experiences you have had that make you feel this way?
 
Answer:

I do not know yet. The part that I am worrried about is clinic. At times, it is quite a drag. Time operating is fantastic, but does not make up a big part of the job. So it will depend on if the job pays well enough to make up for the at times very lame clinical experience. Fwiw, I think all clinic in all medical specialities is boring, so I know that doing something else in medicine would be just as unexciting.
 
yes. I make ~$250K before taxes, recently removed from residency. Most of my patients can be "cured" or "fixed". I take more call than the avg DPM but it's by my choosing. I actually enjoy clinic, so the 3 full days (most weeks) doesn't bother me.

If you went in to Podiatry because you really liked shadowing a pod, and you enjoy the joy and frustration that comes with surgery, I don't see what's not to like...unless you are butt hurt about getting a crap residency program or no program at all.
 
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I'm going to say yes I would doit again :)
I officially start private practice a few weeks ago and so far I can't complaint, fresh out of the incubator.
 
No, would not do it again. or any health career/profession for that matter in the states.
 
I love this profession, but with the recent developments of lack of residency spots for qualified graduates. I would have serious hesitation about going to podiatry school at this day and time. Although, once you finish your residency I think there are plenty of opportunities for new podiatrist do quite well.
 
Zaiko said:
I saw this thread in another part of the forum but wondered the same about podiatry. This is directed at those currently in practice, residents or even 3rd/4th year students. Knowing what you know now, would you still go into podiatry or any other specialties in medicine?
Click to expand...

Without a doubt, I would do podiatry again.

I like working with my hands and doing something to tangibly "fix" a patient. Especially with the way healthcare is going. In podiatry you can treat foot and ankle problems surgically and conservatively. You have the training to fix fractures, deformities, wound care, injections, etc. I prefer the "orthopedic" side of podiatry but I have some peace of mind knowing that if reimbursement for that tanks then I still have possible income stream from wounds, injections, orthoses, etc to pick up the slack.
 
Probably. Don't want to be negative. I think its a good profession.
 
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As a fourth year podiatry student I think my answer would be yes. The reason I say that "I think" is because I don't have a crystal ball and I can't accurately predict the future.

Healthcare is drastically changing and all physicians are taking a huge hit. First off, most of us will large loans with high interest rates. Reimbursement rates are dropping. Private practices are dwindling. Malpractice lawsuits are at record highs. However, being a physician still has many perks. Physicians still have above average salaries, are revered as highly educated and intellectual professionals by the public, and have fulfilling careers.

Honestly, medicine is pretty tough. I think its worth it though.
 
durato said:
This site will ban, censor, or delete any posts regarding this topic.
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This is the reason no one listens to you. If you were to provide a rational, non-conspiracy based argument you might be able to convince some people. However, you always make emotional-based arguments based in conspiracy theories.

If podiatry were such a terrible profession filled with incompetent/unenlightened fools, how would they have the resources/know-how to censor you on a site owned by a group whose mission is to "encourage improvements in community and family centered healthcare delivery"?

note: this post is for lurkers to read. I'm not trying to feed trolls...
 
MaxillofacialMN said:
This is the reason no one listens to you. If you were to provide a rational, non-conspiracy based argument you might be able to convince some people. However, you always make emotional-based arguments based in conspiracy theories.

If podiatry were such a terrible profession filled with incompetent/unenlightened fools, how would they have the resources/know-how to censor you on a site owned by a group whose mission is to "encourage improvements in community and family centered healthcare delivery"?

note: this post is for lurkers to read. I'm not trying to feed trolls...
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Thank you. Keep it up! It certainly helps people like me who are newer to the forum trying to navigate through opinions to find credible sources for information.
 
JonScholl said:
As a fourth year podiatry student I think my answer would be yes.
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I think most people would "do it again" at your stage, the real challenges haven't begun yet. Let's hope the match goes well this year.
 
I really don't think it's going to be as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

...Or am I just wishful thinking?
 
Ankle Breaker said:
The shortage is going to be worse this year than last (by how much who knows). Stakes are higher. More quality applicants not getting a program. Blood bath.
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Welcome to the jungle.

On the bright side, we do have fun and games.
 
Ankle Breaker said:
The shortage is going to be worse this year than last (by how much who knows). Stakes are higher. More quality applicants not getting a program. Blood bath.
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Is this speculation or do you have insider info? Im just basing my opinion off the email we all got 2-3 months ago that said there were an equal number of residency spots as students for the graduating class of 2014.

Some will not pass boards from 2014. Some programs will close. Other programs will open.

Somewhere between 50-100 still do not have a position from 2013 and previous years.

Will it be worse? Or about the same? Or better?
 
I signed up just so I could comment on this thread....especially the statement by Zanenna. I am sorry that you spent years of your life and lots of dollars pursuing a profession that you have not found to be what you wanted in life. Wow, from doctor to office manager says a lot about your displeasure with that career.

I have ALWAYS been happy with my selection. It has allowed me to make a handsome salary, more than enough to take care of my family and splurge as well. I have been on hospital staffs, just as respected as other specialists. But I have occasionally seen some people in my class have a similar disillusionment. So what is the difference? I think that a person has to respect what they bring to the table and if they are not confident, appropriately assertive, sociable and willing to "put themselves out there," they will never be successful or happy. If someone in your life is saying podiatry isn't worth a damn, then get a new set of friends.

I have been able to do surgeries that allowed people to return to sports and life in general. I am sent patients by other specialists and FPs so that I can do what I do best. I respect my unique abilities and so I earn their respect. Whatever you choose to do in life, do it well and with joy - podiatry, dentistry, office manager. Life is just too short to do otherwise.
 
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DrCMe2Run said:
I signed up just so I could comment on this thread....especially the statement by Zanenna. I am sorry that you spent years of your life and lots of dollars pursuing a profession that you have not found to be what you wanted in life. Wow, from doctor to office manager says a lot about your displeasure with that career.

I have ALWAYS been happy with my selection. It has allowed me to make a handsome salary, more than enough to take care of my family and splurge as well. I have been on hospital staffs, just as respected as other specialists. But I have occasionally seen some people in my class have a similar disillusionment. So what is the difference? I think that a person has to respect what they bring to the table and if they are not confident, appropriately assertive, sociable and willing to "put themselves out there," they will never be successful or happy. If someone in your life is saying podiatry isn't worth a damn, then get a new set of friends.

I have been able to do surgeries that allowed people to return to sports and life in general. I am sent patients by other specialists and FPs so that I can do what I do best. I respect my unique abilities and so I earn their respect. Whatever you choose to do in life, do it well and with joy - podiatry, dentistry, office manager. Life is just too short to do otherwise.
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Thank you for your insight. I think that it's interesting when you step back and look at why some people are satisfied and successful and some are bitter and struggling. Even people who graduate from the same program at the same time. We have several attendings that graduated from the same program and seeing the vast difference in happiness, success, and skill level is very interesting and has made me stop and think.
 
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Ankle Breaker said:
How many of them clip toenails, debride calluses, look at fungus and peddle orthotics 24/7?
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Also how many of them lived in the days of the $1500 bunion. Those were the golden years where hard work was not a prerequisite for monetary success. Podiatrists could work 3-4 days/week and still kill it. The severe Medicare cuts put an end to that, and many if them are bitter grapes that they have to work a full week and may not even do as well as they did back then.
And a lot of those guys/gals LOVED busting nails and trimming corns because it PAID. Now that it doesn't, they're just as miserable 4th year students doing it.

Podiatry is now no longer a way to make an easy living, it requires hard work and those who were spoiled with the better times are now dissatisfied with their "plight".
 
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http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2013/public

Medscape asks similar questions in their surveys and there's a lot of dissatisfaction out there in many medical specialties. Not claiming we are a medical specialty - just saying that maybe a 54% isn't really that meaningful. Only 37% of orthopedic surgeons would choose medicine again as a career.
 
Another potential reasons for the dissatisfaction is the immense amount of non-patient associated care that goes into everyday practice. Paperwork, EMR, coding/billing make up the majority of the work day for any office seeing patients. Surgery especially makes up a small percentage of the actual workload of practioners who thought they were getting into a "surgical subspecialty".

These problems can be headed off by creating realistic expectations, and asking Podiatry attendigs realistic questions. Paperwork and scut doesn't end after residency, it gets worse.
 
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Lots of people get a divorce every year, it doesn't mean marriage is bad, it just means it didn't work out. People that hate podiatry or medicine in general probably shouldn't have gone that route in the beginning, doesn't mean podiatry or medicine is bad, it just didn't work out. At this point, yes I'd do it again.
 
If I could do it over again... I would probably be a screenwriter/film director but I'm not a creative genus or a great speller. So I will stick with podiatry until I can write that great american screenplay. ;) That's my answer. There are tons of other careers I would do but then again I'm a bit of dreamer.

CapCrunch said:
Care to elaborate? Would you choose a different career within the medical profession, or abandon it altogether?
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I can't say if I would or would not do it again but the question is one that can be highly loaded, some people are resentful towards the profession and verbal about it and others are opposite. In my experience it is the extreme ends of the spectrum that you hear the most about.
 
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I should've asked this in the original post but for those who have responded and those who may respond later, would you mind telling how long you have been in practice and what type of residency (length/focus), and location (region) you practice in? For students/residents, what year are you in?
 
RockyIV said:
yes. I make ~$250K before taxes, recently removed from residency. Most of my patients can be "cured" or "fixed". I take more call than the avg DPM but it's by my choosing. I actually enjoy clinic, so the 3 full days (most weeks) doesn't bother me.

If you went in to Podiatry because you really liked shadowing a pod, and you enjoy the joy and frustration that comes with surgery, I don't see what's not to like...unless you are butt hurt about getting a crap residency program or no program at all.
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Which pod school did you go to if you don't mind me asking?
 
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