Considering Podiatry

[Pktgresch]

I volunteered today as a mock patient for residents at a local hospital. I was there with an attending Trauma surgeon and we got to talking. I asked him about what he does and what it was like. I am seriously considering Podiatry (at Barry) and so I asked what he thought about it. He said "it's good if you like feet. They make good money, every hospital has them. I could not do it. Feet are gross." I got to thinking; after him telling me about heart surgery and all the things he did, he told me feet are gross that did not sit well. I know that it is specific to people but I feel like feet are natural and any problems with them would then still be natural and not "gross." What do you people think? Does it take a special type of person to deal with feet? Like I said, I am really interested in Podiatry and I am trying to set up shadow opportunities now. Not trying to bash the profession that I may one day be in. This is just something that made me curious. Why is there a stigma about feet being "gross?" Maybe that explains the low number of applicants every year? If that stigma is real then that could be a positive thing for those who do practice Podiatry; it is the perfect example of job security.

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[RATM2010]

Medicine is not neat and clean. There are lots of gross aspects to the job that are not shown on tv shows. I"ll rather deal with feet that a gross GYN case anyday. Gastro's tigma is that they like the smell of poop. It takes a special person to do any specialty of medicine. Shadow and see if foot and ankle care is for you. Good luck.

 

[UNMorBUST]

I personally don't understand the feet are "gross" deal.

 

[Traum]

Which ever you do, you are treating someone's father, mother, aunt, child, etc... that is a HUGE responsibility. The physician or podiatrist, has a huge responsibility to due the right thing, honestly, with full transparency, and honor.
"gross" things are part of medicine; that is life and reality.

If you decide on medicine or podiatry, you will be resident. And PGY 1, you will be doing everything but podiatric medicine. Internal med, gen surg, plastics, ER, 12 h on 12 offs, SICU, MICU, etc,,,,and you will see alot of things and do alot of things that will blow your mind including, perhaps, running codes as you may be ACLS certified which mean, you will be pushing those meds.

Follow many docs around and see what fits your interest. Read alot. Not just this site, ask lots of questions, hard questions about medicine and podiatry, and see if treating patients and seeing people not at their personal best suits your interests/professional avocation. NOT a vocation.

Best of luck.

 

[Ferocity]

Which ever you do, you are treating someone's father, mother, aunt, child, etc... that is a HUGE responsibility. The physician or podiatrist, has a huge responsibility to due the right thing, honestly, with full transparency, and honor.
"gross" things are part of medicine; that is life and reality.

If you decide on medicine or podiatry, you will be resident. And PGY 1, you will be doing everything but podiatric medicine. Internal med, gen surg, plastics, ER, 12 h on 12 offs, SICU, MICU, etc,,,,and you will see alot of things and do alot of things that will blow your mind including, perhaps, running codes as you may be ACLS certified which mean, you will be pushing those meds.

Follow many docs around and see what fits your interest. Read alot. Not just this site, ask lots of questions, hard questions about medicine and podiatry, and see if treating patients and seeing people not at their personal best suits your interests/professional avocation. NOT a vocation.

Best of luck.

 

[DPMer]

Which ever you do, you are treating someone's father, mother, aunt, child, etc... that is a HUGE responsibility. The physician or podiatrist, has a huge responsibility to due the right thing, honestly, with full transparency, and honor.
"gross" things are part of medicine; that is life and reality.

If you decide on medicine or podiatry, you will be resident. And PGY 1, you will be doing everything but podiatric medicine. Internal med, gen surg, plastics, ER, 12 h on 12 offs, SICU, MICU, etc,,,,and you will see alot of things and do alot of things that will blow your mind including, perhaps, running codes as you may be ACLS certified which mean, you will be pushing those meds.

Follow many docs around and see what fits your interest. Read alot. Not just this site, ask lots of questions, hard questions about medicine and podiatry, and see if treating patients and seeing people not at their personal best suits your interests/professional avocation. NOT a vocation.

Best of luck.

Podiatry is medicine and podiatrists are physicians (screw what Medicaid thinks and corrupt sneaky manipulative politicians and allopaths)! More accurate usage of words here.

The Health Care of patients in the United States is composed of 2 arenas:
a) Medicine and b) Allied Medicine

Medicine is composed of the allopaths (MDs and MBBS), osteopaths (DOs), dentists (DMD and DDS) and the podiatrists (DPMs). A distinguished elite circle!

ALLIED Medicine are the Physician Assistants (PAs), Optometrists (ODs), Dental Hygienists, Physical Therapists (PTs), Pharmacists (PharmDs), Chiropractors (DCs), Naturopaths (NDs), Nurse Aids, Medical Assistants (MAs), Nurses (RNs, LPNs, BSNs, MSNs, and PhDs), EMTs and Paramedics, dieticians and nutritionists, estheticians, and health professions technicians (pharmacy techs, radiology techs, phlebotomists, medical lab techicians, histology techs, Operating Room Techs, etc).

 

[347932]

Medicine is not neat and clean. There are lots of gross aspects to the job that are not shown on tv shows. I"ll rather deal with feet that a gross GYN case anyday. Gastro's tigma is that they like the smell of poop. It takes a special person to do any specialty of medicine. Shadow and see if foot and ankle care is for you. Good luck.

 

[347932]

Which ever you do, you are treating someone's father, mother, aunt, child, etc... that is a HUGE responsibility. The physician or podiatrist, has a huge responsibility to do the right thing, honestly, with full transparency, and honor.
"gross" things are part of medicine; that is life and reality.

If you decide on medicine or podiatry, you will be resident. And PGY 1, you will be doing everything but podiatric medicine. Internal med, gen surg, plastics, ER, 12 h on 12 offs, SICU, MICU, etc,,,,and you will see alot of things and do alot of things that will blow your mind including, perhaps, running codes as you may be ACLS certified which mean, you will be pushing those meds.

Follow many docs around and see what fits your interest. Read a lot. Not just this site, ask lots of questions, hard questions about medicine and podiatry, and see if treating patients and seeing people not at their personal best suits your interests/professional avocation. NOT a vocation.

Best of luck.

Fixed that for you.

 

[Traum]

Unfortunately in some states/govt entitities, however, podiatry/podiatric medicine is not classified as physicians.

Rather, the term, provider is used. Specific examples include, CA and PA. This drum beat has been going on for many years in podiatry. There needs to be full scope, uniform scope of practice, and inclusion in ABMS for allopathic recognition of absolutely rigorous training that is recognized by the AMA and physician status NOT just for medicare purposes-which was for monetary issues of course, but also hospitals, med schools, admin, govt, etc....

Fortunately or unfortunately, the MD's make the rules, huge in number, and have the monetary backing to illicit change/policy. They make the rules, and we must either change to fit their game, or continue with podiatry's track; dividing the foot into 2 parts for podiatric boards, debating if we should treat gout since might be systemic, or who treats ankles, who is foot cert v. rearfoot cert, lack of LCME core clerkships in PMS III-PMS IV, ob/gyn, psych, gen surg, etc...

To ensure consistent physician status and recognition by AMA; we need absolute consistency in rigor, formal clinical testing of students/residents, applicants who are not seeking podiatry because everything else failed (there is a school that still accepts DATs and GREs) and students who want to be foot and ankle specialists full scope and want to practice medicince as an avocation and contribute to the literature, laboratories, teaching, lecturing, and assisting others in the care of Americans as the health care system is in a great state of flux.

 

[347932]

Unfortunately in some states/govt entitities, however, podiatry/podiatric medicine is not classified as physicians.

Rather, the term, provider is used. Specific examples include, CA and PA. This drum beat has been going on for many years in podiatry. There needs to be full scope, uniform scope of practice, and inclusion in ABMS for allopathic recognition of absolutely rigorous training that is recognized by the AMA and physician status NOT just for medicare purposes-which was for monetary issues of course, but also hospitals, med schools, admin, govt, etc....

Fortunately or unfortunately, the MD's make the rules, huge in number, and have the monetary backing to illicit change/policy. They make the rules, and we must either change to fit their game, or continue with podiatry's track; dividing the foot into 2 parts for podiatric boards, debating if we should treat gout since might be systemic, or who treats ankles, who is foot cert v. rearfoot cert, lack of LCME core clerkships in PMS III-PMS IV, ob/gyn, psych, gen surg, etc...

To ensure consistent physician status and recognition by AMA; we need absolute consistency in rigor, formal clinical testing of students/residents, applicants who are not seeking podiatry because everything else failed (there is a school that still accepts DATs and GREs) and students who want to be foot and ankle specialists full scope and want to practice medicince as an avocation and contribute to the literature, laboratories, teaching, lecturing, and assisting others in the care of Americans as the health care system is in a great state of flux.

Oy vey, this isn't another soapbox thread for you, man. Your rhetoric is becoming tiresome. Do you have anything new to add, or are you just going to keep repeating yourself in every thread made about becoming a podiatrist?

 

[trinifootdoc]

Unfortunately in some states/govt entitities, however, podiatry/podiatric medicine is not classified as physicians.

Rather, the term, provider is used. Specific examples include, CA and PA. This drum beat has been going on for many years in podiatry. There needs to be full scope, uniform scope of practice, and inclusion in ABMS for allopathic recognition of absolutely rigorous training that is recognized by the AMA and physician status NOT just for medicare purposes-which was for monetary issues of course, but also hospitals, med schools, admin, govt, etc....

Fortunately or unfortunately, the MD's make the rules, huge in number, and have the monetary backing to illicit change/policy. They make the rules, and we must either change to fit their game, or continue with podiatry's track; dividing the foot into 2 parts for podiatric boards, debating if we should treat gout since might be systemic, or who treats ankles, who is foot cert v. rearfoot cert, lack of LCME core clerkships in PMS III-PMS IV, ob/gyn, psych, gen surg, etc...

To ensure consistent physician status and recognition by AMA; we need absolute consistency in rigor, formal clinical testing of students/residents, applicants who are not seeking podiatry because everything else failed (there is a school that still accepts DATs and GREs) and students who want to be foot and ankle specialists full scope and want to practice medicince as an avocation and contribute to the literature, laboratories, teaching, lecturing, and assisting others in the care of Americans as the health care system is in a great state of flux.

I wish Traum would stop trying to deter those individuals who have a sincere interest in the field of Podiatric MEDICINE! Come on... Is this really necessary? I will be a Doctor of Podiatric MEDICINE and will be a Podiatric Physician! That's right Traum, a physician of the foot and ankle! Why is it so difficult for people like you to understand?!?! Please make more use of yourself and stop with your idiotic and completely nonsensical posts! You must not have been able to cut it in Podiatry school... Who knows?!?! GET A LIFE! PLEASSEEE!

 

[Pktgresch]

I have recently been looking into the internship programs that some schools offer. How competitive are they to get an invite to? Temple wants at least a 3.0 which is totally understandable; I am however at a 2.98 at the present time (hope that rounds up!?) and I am concerned. They might not want me to come expecially since I have not yet taken the MCAT (plan on doing that next summer). The internship seems perfect because of the shadowing experience that accompanies it. I seem to be having trouble getting a response from local Podiatrists for shadowing.. I even contacted the ones listed as mentors on aacpm. Should I simply show up at their office and confront them instead of using emails and phone calls?
I really enjoy watching bunion and nueroma surgery on youtube which gives me a positive vibe about the profession.
Oh and I think that any determined, intelligent person with interest will find Podiatry as a valuable specialty of medicine worth practicing. No need to bash the profession(or worry), it is not going away any time soon.

 

[Traum]

Wishing you the best on your potential health care career choice! Good luck.

 

[fivescrew]

I seem to be having trouble getting a response from local Podiatrists for shadowing.. I even contacted the ones listed as mentors on aacpm. Should I simply show up at their office and confront them instead of using emails and phone calls?
I really enjoy watching bunion and nueroma surgery on youtube which gives me a positive vibe about the profession.

In my opinion, it's bad etiquette to just show up and expect to talk to a no doubt busy physician about something like shadowing. If you can't get a hold of them by email I would suggest calling their office and politely speaking to their receptionist and inquiry if there was a better way to approach the subject after an ample amount of time has passed from the original email. One thing I've learned since re-entering school is that not everyone is tied to a computer like the modern student so it may take a while for them to have the time to respond.

I agree about the videos by the way, seeing the wide range of procedures performed by actual docs is enough to get all excited about this change all over again. I recently saw one where the doctor I think was amputating a portion of a foot due to what I can only assume was frostbite. I was surprised by both the complexity of the procedure and how quickly the patient went from foot to no foot. Very serious stuff, not just an ingrown nail.

 

[PADPM]

There is a harsh reality, that SOME hospitals still classify DPM's as "allied" medical professionals on their medical staff, despite the fact that the DPM has admitting privileges, can perform major reconstructive foot/ankle surgeries (including amputations), obtain consults from the ER, treat patients in the ER, etc.

I know this as fact.....I'm on staff at one of those hospitals. We've attempted to change this for years to no avail.

 

[dyk343]

In my opinion, it's bad etiquette to just show up and expect to talk to a no doubt busy physician about something like shadowing. If you can't get a hold of them by email I would suggest calling their office and politely speaking to their receptionist and inquiry if there was a better way to approach the subject after an ample amount of time has passed from the original email.

It sucks trying to get someone to let you shadow. We all had to do it and we all know how awkward it is asking a dr to shadow them. Just keep asking around. Eventually someone will let you in. Good luck.

 

[PADPM]

It sucks trying to get someone to let you shadow. We all had to do it and we all know how awkward it is asking a dr to shadow them. Just keep asking around. Eventually someone will let you in. Good luck.

I don't think you should feel awkward. As an attending/doctor in practice, I'm more than happy and willing to have an interested student shadow me. Due to busy schedules, the doctor isn't always quick returning a student's call, and that's often looked upon by the student as the doctor not being interested, etc.

I believe that if you contact the APMA, they even have a list of doctors in geographic areas willing to have potential students visit. But please don't feel awkward, it's something we've all gone through and something that's absolutely necessary.

 

[dyk343]

I don't think you should feel awkward. As an attending/doctor in practice, I'm more than happy and willing to have an interested student shadow me. Due to busy schedules, the doctor isn't always quick returning a student's call, and that's often looked upon by the student as the doctor not being interested, etc.

I believe that if you contact the APMA, they even have a list of doctors in geographic areas willing to have potential students visit. But please don't feel awkward, it's something we've all gone through and something that's absolutely necessary.

100% understand what your saying... and you seem to be one of the type that actually lets people shadow. You spend a lot of time on these forums educating pre-pods, podiatry students, and podiatrists alike. Im sure your a great person to shadow. But believe me there are many out there that do not like students to shadow.

Ex - The first Dr. I shadowed "allowed" me to come in to shadow. I walk in the door greet him and he says "you know you really dont have to do this, if you want I can just write off the hours for you. Thats all they (admissions) want to see".

That was the first thing he said to me. I was dressed appropriately and hold a professional appearance. I just dont think (okay I know) he wanted me there. I asked him if I could stay and he said "sure" then pimped me the entire time. I didnt go back.

Luckily I found a different podiatrist and had an amazing experience which is why I reccomended that the poster above keep trying. One is out there that will allow you to shadow.

 

[347932]

100% understand what your saying... and you seem to be one of the type that actually lets people shadow. You spend a lot of time on these forums educating pre-pods, podiatry students, and podiatrists alike. Im sure your a great person to shadow. But believe me there are many out there that do not like students to shadow.

Ex - The first Dr. I shadowed "allowed" me to come in to shadow. I walk in the door greet him and he says "you know you really dont have to do this, if you want I can just write off the hours for you. Thats all they (admissions) want to see".

That was the first thing he said to me. I was dressed appropriately and hold a professional appearance. I just dont think (okay I know) he wanted me there. I asked him if I could stay and he said "sure" then pimped me the entire time. I didnt go back.

Luckily I found a different podiatrist and had an amazing experience which is why I reccomended that the poster above keep trying. One is out there that will allow you to shadow.

Sadly there are some in every profession that don't really feel the need to give back once they've "made it". PADPM is definitely NOT one of those and is very generous with his time and advice.

Those of us that help with residencies and help with the profession by being politically active, helping with boards/associations and writing columns for trade and professional magazines have a deep sense of "giving back" to a profession that we love and has given us so much.

"Giving back" is the surest way to propagate success within the profession. Pay it forward!

 

[Pktgresch]

I have decided that I will apply to Podiatry school, granted that I do not have some awful experience shadowing. I am very interested in the profession so I do not see my mind being deterred from trying to get into it. I am not sure though how to go about applying. I know to apply "early" and there is a website you apply through, I am just not sure of the timing of all this. I will be a junior this year and plan on taking the MCAT next summer. Should I apply a year before I graduate with my B.S or when? My EC's are good and I will continue to be involved I am just concerned with the timing of my MCAT and application. How early is early when applying to medical school?