Podiatrist

[medreno]

I was recently looking at the podiatry forums and was thinking about the time when I had to see a podiatrist. The thing is, I remember my podiatrist and family physician were able to treat the same issue. So, why is there a podiatry school? No disrespect to podiatrists, I actually thought about being a podiatrist at one point. But, it seems that an orthopedist is able to treat the same issues. They have tons of stuff on the internet comparing the two, (Orthopedist v.s podiatrist) but, it clearly states orthopedist are able to perform what podiatrist do. Except orthopedist deal with more than just the feet and ankle.

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[chrisj1982]

I was recently looking at the podiatry forums and was thinking about the time when I had to see a podiatrist. The thing is, I remember my podiatrist and family physician were able to treat the same issue. So, why is there a podiatry school? No disrespect to podiatrists, I actually thought about being a podiatrist at one point. But, it seems that an orthopedist is able to treat the same issues. They have tons of stuff on the internet comparing the two, (Orthopedist v.s podiatrist) but, it clearly states orthopedist are able to perform what podiatrist do. Except orthopedist deal with more than just the feet and ankle.

As you said, orthopedists' knowledge is spread across several areas of the body, whereas podiatrists place their entire focus on one specific area. If I need foot or ankle surgery, I know where I'm going.

 

[medreno]

As you said, orthopedists' knowledge is spread across several areas of the body, whereas podiatrists place their entire focus on one specific area. If I need foot or ankle surgery, I know where I'm going.

Ok, but, specialties such as neurosurgery. They operate on more than just the brain...Why do we need a whole doctorate program for the feet?

 

[chrisj1982]

Ok, but, specialties such as neurosurgery. They operate on more than just the brain...Why do we need a whole doctorate program for the feet?

What does one have to do with the other? Are you suggesting, because some specialties operate on more than one area of the body, ALL specialties should operate on more than one area of the body? Is that the logic?

And what about facio maxillary surgeons? Are they a bit too focused on their one area too?

 

[Disinence2]

Feet are some pretty complicated things.

We work with podiatry residents regularly, and let me assure you, they are a vital part of our healthcare system.

 

[nysegop]

Ok, but, specialties such as neurosurgery. They operate on more than just the brain...Why do we need a whole doctorate program for the feet?

Why would you compare the two?

Neurosurgeons need a doctorate, 7 years of residency, and often 1-2 years of fellowship.

Podiatrists need a doctorate and a 36 month residency (Actually this may even be optional. I'm not sure).

 

[buBBa15]

3 year residency is required. Not optional

 

[nysegop]

3 year residency is required. Not optional

In order to practice.

 

[buBBa15]

Isn't the whole point to practice?

 

[PennDippody]

.

 

[PennDippody]

Why would you compare the two?

Neurosurgeons need a doctorate, 7 years of residency, and often 1-2 years of fellowship.

Podiatrists need a doctorate and a 36 month residency (Actually this may even be optional. I'm not sure).

Okay, in so far as residency is "optional" for any other specialty. The real option is whether you want to do a 4-year or 3-year program.

Anyway, the wife's a podiatrist. She works with an ortho group and they have a pretty nice system. While the orthopods could indeed work on the F&A, she gets all those itnernal referals. The spine guys work on spine, some do nothing but hips, others nothing but shoulders, and then there are generalists according to her. She likes the set up because its essentially as much surgery as she wants to handle. Any overflow gets distributed throughout or postponed. It seems its more of a symbiotic set-up in their case than it is a turf-war situation. When she was on different services during residency, she saw the same. Most F&A cases were simply referred to podiatry (for various reasons). There are F&A specialist orthos too but she said she doesn't see too many of them outside of academia.

On a final note: there are plenty of Otho/Pod pissing contest threads that are already well-established, so please lets not start a fire here.

 

[nysegop]

Isn't the whole point to practice?

True dat bro!