If you're making a major life decision on a single response, from 1,000 people, from one survey- you don't currently possess the thought process that is associated with competent physicians.
I do not say this to troll or demean- I simply state it to emphasize the need for you to look at this beyond one data point in forming any opinion.
Posting on this forum was a step in the right direction. The next step would be shadowing your local podiatrist. The answer should become clear to you then.
In case you don't follow through on that advice, I'll lend my experience shadowing- the first Podiatrist I met serendipitously. He had taken a liking to me before I knew what Podiatry was or knew he was a Podiatrist. He invited me to his office and I graciously accepted his invitation. From just shadowing him for the morning hours, I was exhausted bouncing from patient to patient. The next five local Podiatrist offices I cold called, trying to get a meeting- I couldn't get a call back. The front desk office agents who answered my calls, began to remember me after my third or fourth callback. I got the same response each time- "I'm sorry, I deliver the message, but Dr. So and So is very busy."
Look up the unemployment rate, salary postings, other threads on this forum. It should alleviate the concern you have, which as I interpret- "If I become a Podiatrist will I find any patients to treat?"
