Hands-On Skills in Podiatry

[Chip Chipperson]

Hey everyone,

Just found a renewed interest in podiatry.

I am finishing up my bachelors degree in microbiology this winter from a state university. My cumulative GPA will be roughly 3.39 and my science will be roughly 3.1. I have kind of slacked off my senior year, but my pre-req GPA is about 3.4.

I hope I am not arrogant in saying that I am not intimidated by the academic portion of the podiatry curriculum. I usually test well, and can devote hours and hours to studying.

What I am worried about if I enter this career: hands-on skills. I have never been one to work with my hands. I don't work on cars. I don't enjoy putting stuff together. In fact, I would say that I am even below average when it comes to tasks like these. I am sort of a cerebral guy.

My question is: if I enter podiatry skill, will there be a chance to practice these skills? To hone them? Is anyone else not a "hand-on" type of a person, yet still pursued a career in podiatry - which seems to be quite focused on various types of surgery. The idea of me performing a surgery makes me sort of chuckle, since I can barely put together an entertainment stand. I hope that I would not get swiftly weeded out of the program for my lack of technical skills when it comes to stuff like this.

The good news is, of course I would be willing to practice and learn. I just might struggle a little bit in this area compared to some of my other classmates. I am not hands-on! I am not a dork or anything, or even that clumsy, but I am just not confident in working with my hands. I want to be! I like the idea going to school and learning to be proficient with my hands to perform surgery, but I don't have much innate talent there.

Sorry for the long-winded post. Any thoughts? Experiences?

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[buBBa15]

at the end of the day, its a key aspect of podiatry to be capable with ur hands. even if not surgery, u will be touching, squeezing and handling patients feet 4-5 days a week. ofcourse u will have practice and opportunity to work on ur dexterity. i knw NYCPM offers stitching workshops held by the respective clubs. i dont knw if other school have the same things but i would assume they do. bottom line, if u r so terrible that even after practice u will be shaky and a total bafoon, think hard before going into the field. hand coordination is just one of those things that will make ur and the patients lives SO MUCH easier.

 

[Podophile]

You likely will not find getting an actual residency program is difficult, but you will certainly struggle with the surgical training initially. Hopefully you get a program with enough volume that you can develop a solid system. Without a lot of confidence and/or innate ability, you likely won't book triples or any of the longer more involved cases that stroke the ego, but don't really fill the pocketbook, and that's OKAY. Not every Podiatrist needs to be a traumatogist or reconstruction expert, as that type of work is thinning out as it is. At most any program, you will learn the basics of hammeroe and bunion surgery which will allow you to supplement the majority of your practice which is conservative care.

 

[pacpod]

Thing is if you actually practice hand tying, suturing in school you will actually get pretty good before clerkships. All it takes is practice. So as long as you are willing to put in the time to work on your weaknesses I think you will be ok.

Being able to suture well when given the opportunity is something that can help set you apart in 4th year clerkships. I agree with AB here, practice up before externships and you should be fine by then. Suturing will help build the coordination necessary for other "hands on" tasks.

 

[rushrhees]

Assuming you dont have massive tremors or the like do not worry about it too much. You will probably have to practice more than others, but still can be learned. I have terrible handwriting, but when practicing suturing the other week, did fairly well at it. I would say play more videogames along the way, it helps with hand eye coordination

 

[dyk343]

Learn to juggle


(that's not meant to sound condescending, I'm being serious)

 

[EggRolls]

If possible, I would like more people (preferably current residents and attendees) to comment upon this thread as I also have some slight doubts regarding my dexterity and what is expected of me later on when I enter residency.

Thank you!