False Advertising

[BNT]

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A podiatrist in my area is falsely advertising himself as a "Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon". Given his residency training he doesn't come close to qualifying for rearfoot board certification, only forefoot.
Who can I report this to so he will be forced to revise how he markets himself?

 

[Podfather]

A podiatrist in my area is falsely advertising himself as a "Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon". Given his residency training he doesn't come close to qualifying for rearfoot board certification, only forefoot.
Who can I report this to so he will be forced to revise how he markets himself?

If he is board certified by ABPS he is required to list in what category and list the board or say he is a Diplomate. He may also be board certified by one of the other non-approved boards. In that case, he may not be false advertising. If he is not board certified then the state board of examiners usually handles this

 

[347932]

A podiatrist in my area is falsely advertising himself as a "Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon". Given his residency training he doesn't come close to qualifying for rearfoot board certification, only forefoot.
Who can I report this to so he will be forced to revise how he markets himself?

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. He may in fact be a "Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon" depending on when he did his residency and when he was boarded by the ABPS.

There was a time when there was a transition between how people were boarded within the ABPS and many surgeons who only had one year of surgical training were grandfathered into the status of "Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery". Rightfully so imho, as they laid the foundation for us, so I would practice extreme caution with the conclusions you'remaking and your involvement in reporting anyone. Know all the facts and investigate before making claims that can blow up on you.

 

[Podfather]

There was a time when there was a transition between how people were boarded within the ABPS and many surgeons who only had one year of surgical training were grandfathered into the status of "Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Just a clarification. No one has ever been grandfathered by ABPS. If they are board certified, they submitted cases and passed both a written and oral exam.

Today there are residency requirements to sit for the exam however, as Kidsfeet stated they were not always in effect since there was a time when residencies were limited. Most of the big names who are over 55 either didn't do a residency or did a one year surgical program.

 

[347932]

Just a clarification. No one has ever been grandfathered by ABPS. If they are board certified, they submitted cases and passed both a written and oral exam.

Very true. Sorry if I misspoke.

 

[Podfather]

Very true. Sorry if I misspoke.

No biggie.

 

[PADPM]

A podiatrist in my area is falsely advertising himself as a "Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon". Given his residency training he doesn't come close to qualifying for rearfoot board certification, only forefoot.
Who can I report this to so he will be forced to revise how he markets himself?

Again the myth is perpetuated. There IS no forefoot certification. There is certification is FOOT surgery and RRA, and as previously stated there used to be Foot & Ankle. But there is no one that has ever been certified by the ABPS in forefoot surgery. I can assure you of that fact.

And the last time I looked, the foot includes the entire foot, not just the forefoot. And don't be so quick to judge someone on his/her training. As per Podfather's post, many of the leaders of our profession who were pioneers only performed a one year or no residency, and they have trained many of today's 3 year residents who seem to often have a holier than thou attitude.

 

[Feli]

I'd just go to the source (and encourage pts, family, friends, etc to always do the same):

http://www.abps.org/content/resources/FindADoctor.aspx