Am I really Ignorant For Wanting to go into Podiatry?

[SDrJJohnson]

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Hey guys it's me again.
So I recently decided to talk to my pre-health advisor to find out about potential podiatrists that may be affiliated with my university that I could shadow. However, the entire appointment consisted of the advisor trying to persuade me out of the field of podiatry claiming that "it's a dying field" and that I'd be "ignorant if I chose to pursue podiatry over the in-state MD school". I personally don't believe any of these accusations are true, but I'd like to hear your guys' opinions. Am I being ignorant and being too naive to realize that I'm making a mistake, or is it good that I'm devoted to practicing podiatric medicine?
Thanks alot! I look forward to the responses 🙂
- SDrJJohnson

 

[brittany24]

I think it would really benefit to spend some time shadowing some podiatrists in your area. It would be better to contact some podiatry schools that might be near you (there are only 9 schools in the US) and ask them directly which podiatrist alumni allow students to come shadow in their office. You should be able to get a list of contacts you can call/email.

I had an awesome time shadowing podiatrists when I was considering the field. I wasn't sold on it until I observed the DPMs performing surgery in the OR. What really stood out to me while shadowing was how friendly, down to earth, and humble the DPMs were. They are essentially orthopedic surgeons that specialize in foot and ankle.

I could give you my personal list of "pros" for choosing podiatry, if you want, but I think it would be better for you to see for yourself if this is a field you could see yourself happy in.

When it comes to DPM vs MD, there are a few arguments I would make. The first is that you are guaranteed to have a healthcare job where you perform surgery. This is a plus if you aren't thrilled about primary care. The second, is that there are less hoops to jump through. The curriculums for podiatry school are just as difficult as medical school, but the pre-med competition isn't there. MCAT scores average at 22 and incoming GPAs average at 3.4 for pod schools. Also, the application cycle is very manageable, less expensive, and fast. I applied to several schools in January, and started getting acceptances in March.

If you have a competitive GPA/MCAT profile, and like the idea of MD better, you should go with what you are passionate for. However, if you aren't so competitive and are between the idea of postbacc or master's degree, podiatry is an option that would get you starting med school sooner.

 

[heybrother]

What state do you live in?

Also, podiatry school is not nearly as difficult as medical school.

 

[SDrJJohnson]

I think it would really benefit to spend some time shadowing some podiatrists in your area. It would be better to contact some podiatry schools that might be near you (there are only 9 schools in the US) and ask them directly which podiatrist alumni allow students to come shadow in their office. You should be able to get a list of contacts you can call/email.

I had an awesome time shadowing podiatrists when I was considering the field. I wasn't sold on it until I observed the DPMs performing surgery in the OR. What really stood out to me while shadowing was how friendly, down to earth, and humble the DPMs were. They are essentially orthopedic surgeons that specialize in foot and ankle.

I could give you my personal list of "pros" for choosing podiatry, if you want, but I think it would be better for you to see for yourself if this is a field you could see yourself happy in.

When it comes to DPM vs MD, there are a few arguments I would make. The first is that you are guaranteed to have a healthcare job where you perform surgery. This is a plus if you aren't thrilled about primary care. The second, is that there are less hoops to jump through. The curriculums for podiatry school are just as difficult as medical school, but the pre-med competition isn't there. MCAT scores average at 22 and incoming GPAs average at 3.4 for pod schools. Also, the application cycle is very manageable, less expensive, and fast. I applied to several schools in January, and started getting acceptances in March.

If you have a competitive GPA/MCAT profile, and like the idea of MD better, you should go with what you are passionate for. However, if you aren't so competitive and are between the idea of postbacc or master's degree, podiatry is an option that would get you starting med school sooner.

Thanks for the reply!
I actually already have shadowing experience with a few podiatrists, I just wanted to see if there was any that had a linkage with my university. Truth be told, I really loved my experiences shadowing and the profession as a podiatrist as a whole. I mainly wanted to see the reason for and the "evidence" someone may have to support that podiatry is a "dying field". From everything I've personally researched, I actually saw a very bright outlook for the field in terms of positions available and scope of practice in states, so I can't really imagine what argument someone may have to prove otherwise.

What state do you live in?

Also, podiatry school is not nearly as difficult as medical school.

I live in Arizona. Even though I've yet to go to pod school, I don't believe that there is any evidence to claim that pod school is any easier than medical school. In fact, someone could even argue that pod school could be described as "more difficult" in the fact that it is grade scaled (ABCDF) rather than honors/pass/fail. But in reality, difficulty is simply just a matter of opinion.

Thanks again for your guys posts, I really appreciate it!
-SDrJJohnson

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

Podiatry is still in the infancy stages from some of the articles I've read during my deciding period, it is an expanding and evolving field. It is in no way shape or form a "dying field", a lot of the times olden folk such as other doctors or school advisors have negative associations with podiatry thinking that they only clip toe nails and earn a lot for it, then again when I asked him what the average GPA and MCAT was he couldnt really give me an answer, indicating he knew very little about the field (ludicrous, believe me I was incredibly pissed at him lol).
If you shadow podiatrists, chances are you'll see what I have seen,including but not limited to: pylon fracture repairs, ankle fractures, skin grafts, amputations, wound care, lisfranc dislocations, I have heard of some people seeing point blank gun shot wounds on the foot. These are among the few things I can remember during my shadowing experiences in the hospital. Clinically, they manage patients and often are the first to diagnose peripheral artery disease, manage diabetic ulcers for those with neuropathy; if you go into sports medicine you'll see ligament tears, dislocations, and a plethora of fractures. Im pretty sure that this is way more than just "clipping toe nails".

 

[Masttt91]

What state do you live in?

Also, podiatry school is not nearly as difficult as medical school.

Isnt that a huge generalization. Especially since some pod schools take most of their classes with DO/MD students. I find it hard to believe that its any easier to do well in pod school than certain med schools. Considering the quality of lower tier md/do/Caribbean. Heck that online DO school seems like an absolute joke compared to pod school

 

[cthaye309]

Podiatry is not at all a dying field and there are plenty of places across the country that are in need of more podiatrists. If you enjoyed your shadowing experiences then you should pursue podiatry without any regrets. Podiatry school is still a challenge and should not be taken likely. I personally am beyond excited to be starting school this fall.

 

[CoffeeMonster]

What state do you live in?

Also, podiatry school is not nearly as difficult as medical school.

You're wrong about that one buddy.

 

[DaddyBex28]

simple answer: no, you aren't ignorant.

There are many opportunities in the world of podiatry and it is a necessary medical field. You can specialize if you like, you can enter academia (this is very competitive though) or you can have your own business. It will become a big field as the baby boomers are aging and will have tons of foot problems (especially with the rates of obesity and diabetes climbing the charts by the day).

I shadowed an amazing podiatrist at a renowned University who specialized in diabetic wound care. It was an immensely rewarding experience, the DPM was amazing, and they even had family medicine residents shadow as well.

Best of luck to you. don't let the haters bring you down.

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

What state do you live in?

Also, podiatry school is not nearly as difficult as medical school.

This is a falsely. Most schools take classes with DO students and our curriculum is nearly identical to our MD, DO colleagues. The classes are just as difficult and often times people who think podiatry is an "easy" degree to attain, end up failing out with huge amounts of debt. The statement above is demeaning to our profession and is the same display of "ignorant opinions and beliefs" many older generation doctors and old school advisors share.

Heybrother, did you go to podiatry school, I'm curious to know how you came to the conclusion that podiatry wasn't as difficult as medical school.

 

[Pod Zilla]

I go to the same school as heybrother and I actually agree with him about the difficulty level between the DPM program and DO program. Yes, we take the same classes but their schedule is bit heavier than ours. Our first year is hell but starting in second year, it's not nearly as difficult. The DO program, however, is not the same. So yes, podiatry school is not as difficult as medical school. But that doesn't mean podiatry school isn't hard.

If somehow you think podiatry school is harder than traditional medical school, you are definitely mistaken.

 

[heybrother]

So I had a pretty crappy day today cause I screwed up and let a resident down, and now that I've come home I can't stop smiling. Congrats pre-pods. You are me, 3-4 years ago. I thought I knew stuff. I posted a bunch. I disagreed with 4th years on here who were years ahead of me. I'm sorry - come back here in 3-4 years and tell me I'm wrong. I've already taken all the classes. I went head to head with DO friends. I know where our curriculum rocks and I know where it stinks. DO/MD is harder. They are held to a higher standard.

 

[SDrJJohnson]

heybrother,
I apologize for demoting your opinion as quickly as I did. I'll be the first one to say that I may be a little naive on this topic, seeing how I've yet to go to podiatry school. With that, I do believe that we are focusing our energy on something that is, subjectively speaking, completely useless. In all honesty, claiming that one program is "harder" than the other or claiming a program is "easiest" will have no change on what the professions are. Again, I may be naive saying this but I believe the bottom line is to go into a program that you'd like to invest your happiness in. Because all of it ultimately comes down to that.

Again, I had no intentions to demote your opinions in any way. I just feel that our time is better used discussing other topics rather than an arbitrary deduction of one profession or another.

-SDrJJohnson

 

[Natnow]

Just a thought guys...
Right now we are comparing podiatry to DO/MD education...what about comparing podiatry to dental school education? Did you forget about dental school education?
I feel as if podiatry school can be more comparable to dental school with respect to both podiatry and dental students learn about the entire body for the first semesters of their education (which is similar to DO/MD education) and then specialize into either head and neck if your are in dental school and foot and leg if you are in podiatry school. Makes more sense to compare these two education systems IMO.

And in my opinion dental school, podiatry school, and medical school (DO/MD) ARE NOT easy routes of education and becoming a doctor. Everyone has to put in hard work and only you will put in the work to get where you want to go in life.

 

[Gigantron]

Just a thought guys...
Right now we are comparing podiatry to DO/MD education...what about comparing podiatry to dental school education? Did you forget about dental school education?

I always like to tell people I'm going to be a foot dentist.

Anything that leads to a career where you get to legally and independently perform surgery, be it through the MD/DO, DPM, or DDS route (with OMFS), is hard. Period. Compare the level of education and training we all have to go through with that of the general population. That's pretty freaking awesome in of itself and it's a privilege not many have to begin with.

Sometimes we might forget that in our own little SDN bubble, where we constantly love to bicker and argue and make comparisons as to "who does it better". But, honestly, I am so glad I even get the chance to be in medicine with a career I want.
We're all gonna make it.

 

[CoffeeMonster]

I always like to tell people I'm going to be a foot dentist.

Anything that leads to a career where you get to legally and independently perform surgery, be it through the MD/DO, DPM, or DDS route (with OMFS), is hard. Period. Compare the level of education and training we all have to go through with that of the general population. That's pretty freaking awesome in of itself and it's a privilege not many have to begin with.

Sometimes we might forget that in our own little SDN bubble, where we constantly love to bicker and argue and make comparisons as to "who does it better". But, honestly, I am so glad I even get the chance to be in medicine with a career I want.
We're all gonna make it.

 

[brittany24]

I always like to tell people I'm going to be a foot dentist.

Anything that leads to a career where you get to legally and independently perform surgery, be it through the MD/DO, DPM, or DDS route (with OMFS), is hard. Period. Compare the level of education and training we all have to go through with that of the general population. That's pretty freaking awesome in of itself and it's a privilege not many have to begin with.

Sometimes we might forget that in our own little SDN bubble, where we constantly love to bicker and argue and make comparisons as to "who does it better". But, honestly, I am so glad I even get the chance to be in medicine with a career I want.
We're all gonna make it.

YEAH!

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

I always like to tell people I'm going to be a foot dentist.

Anything that leads to a career where you get to legally and independently perform surgery, be it through the MD/DO, DPM, or DDS route (with OMFS), is hard. Period. Compare the level of education and training we all have to go through with that of the general population. That's pretty freaking awesome in of itself and it's a privilege not many have to begin with.

Sometimes we might forget that in our own little SDN bubble, where we constantly love to bicker and argue and make comparisons as to "who does it better". But, honestly, I am so glad I even get the chance to be in medicine with a career I want.
We're all gonna make it.

Brilliant brother, you are absolutely right 🙂

 

[Yadster101]

I go to the same school as heybrother and I actually agree with him about the difficulty level between the DPM program and DO program. Yes, we take the same classes but their schedule is bit heavier than ours. Our first year is hell but starting in second year, it's not nearly as difficult. The DO program, however, is not the same. So yes, podiatry school is not as difficult as medical school. But that doesn't mean podiatry school isn't hard.

If somehow you think podiatry school is harder than traditional medical school, you are definitely mistaken.

Hey j/c, how is the DMU DO school any harder during first year if you guys share core classes?

 

[Pod Zilla]

On top of the basic science classes, they also had OMM, behavioral med and ethics. We only had pod med without them. Their schedule was heavier thus making time management that much harder.