I would imagine such a master's program more useful for those going to osteopathic or allopathic medical school where they will be more likely to practice primary care. Podiatry is mostly a surgical profession. On the other hand, one thing I'm learning in medicine is that anything is possible.
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I disagree that our profession is MOSTLY a surgical profession. I believe that statement is really inaccurate and to some, a fantasy.
I am presently on staff at several hospitals, some very large teaching hospitals and some smaller facilities. I see first hand how much surgery is being performed, and each hospital where I work has about 20-30 DPMs on staff. The majority of those DPMs are only on staff at one hospital, so I know that when their numbers (surgical) are low, it's not because the cases are being diluted and being performed at another hospital. Most of the DPMs at these hospitals are seen once in a while and not on a consistent basis, and please remember I said MOST, not all.
At the facility where I perform the majority of my cases, there are almost 30 DPMs on staff. However, between my cases, and two of the other docs in our practice, in addition to cases scheduled regularly by another DPM on staff, we account for 99% of the podiatric cases.
Even though I perform a fair amount of surgery on a weekly basis, each doctor in our practice who performs surgery only dedicates one day a week (not counting emergency cases), which means the rest of the week we are NOT performing surgery.
The remainder of the week we may be treating; diabetics for palliative care, wound care, fracture care, sprain and strains, nail pathology, ankle problems, injuries, trauma, skin disorders including warts, dermatitis, soft tissue lesions, tinea pedis, etc, infections, arthritic disorders, heel pain, various aches and pains such as neuromas, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and the list goes on and on and on.
Our specialty is great BECAUSE there is diversity. I've been around this profession a pretty long time and have served in different capacities in different organizations. As a result, I do have a realistic understanding of what's going on in our profession both locally and nationally.
Yes, there are a few DPMs who do nothing but primarily surgery, but in my significant experience, I can tell you those DPM's account for approximately 5-10% of the profession. I highly doubt that the majority of the present students or residents will be performing surgery all week upon completion of their training. And once again, this is coming from someone who IS performing a fair amount of surgery on a consistent basis.
Even many orthopedic surgeons are in the O.R. 1-2 days a week, and spend the rest of their time treating non-surgical conditions.
As a side note, a young fairly well trained DPM opened and wanted to do only surgery. Therefore, every patient that walked in was told they need surgery. Naturally, this turned off a lot of patients and word spread quickly. More importantly, the primary care doctors got turned off that every patient referred was ending up in the O.R., or surgery was at least recommended. Within 2 years this doc was looking for a new job.
Yes, you don't have to tell me about the guy who runs your residency program who is doing 5 milllion cases a week. And you don't have to tell me about the guy you know who is working for an orthopod group who is in the O.R. 8 days a week. I am FULLY aware of the exceptions, but the reality is that they ARE the exceptions and not the rule. I can guarantee that's true.
