Podiatric health care

[Dr. Agape]

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My question do you all see Podiatrist having to practice in group medical practices, clinics, and health networks than in traditional solo practices? Or do you all see a huge opportunity for Podiatrist to establish solo practices because of baby boomers retiring?

 

[Podman]

My question do you all see Podiatrist having to practice in group medical practices, clinics, and health networks than in traditional solo practices? Or do you all see a huge opportunity for Podiatrist to establish solo practices because of baby boomers retiring?

Traditionally, during the not so good old days, podiatrists would go to school for 4 years - maybe do a 1 year "residency" and open up a routine footcare practice...with the changes and evolution of our training, our value as clinicians has been more and more in-demand so you'll see recent grads leaning towards group practices to upkeep and maintain the high volume and diverse cases that range from diabetic woundcare, biomechanical assesments, surgery, consults, and many more - and it is also not uncommon for them to take calls in the hospital.

IMHO, I see the trend of group practices to continue and further grow. The group practices will also vary - some work in pure podiatry groups - others will work in orthopedic groups - while others will work in multi-specialty groups (typically will have an Internal med doctor as one of the specialties there). 20-30 years ago, that trend was almost unheard of but now it is becoming the norm, as most residents get job offers during their final year(s) of training - while others will open from scratch with other specialists or fellow DPMs - but definitiely the trend is to start off with a group.