Podiatry not a viable future?

[jman23]

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Background:

I've always been highly interested in podiatry (ever since I had three surgeries performed by a pod). I also spent time shadowing a pod at a local VA. So, I've looked very seriously at the profession.

Now, the comments I've had from some new DPMs and a fairly senior DPM in my area (in practice for 20 years and was a former residency director).

- They state that podiatry has been losing it's battle to be taken professionally for some time with the insurance agencies and that new pods are routinely locked out of access to various panels.

- It sounds like podiatry schools will take anyone with a pulse. Now, a recent grad of OCPM told me that "people will tell you it's getting more competitive, and that schools are trying to turn their acceptance criteria around, but the reality is schools are starving for students so sub-par candidates are granted admission every cycle."

- A wealth of health networks refuse to grant DPMs rear-foot surgical privelages in hospitals even though it's allowed by scope. Many 3 year residents are getting restricted to forefoot procedures.

- Hospital privelages can be extremely difficult to obtain as a DPM.

- The salary figures you read are bogus. Podiatry simply doesn't offer a viable way to make a living anymore in medicine. Maybe in the late 80's it was, but today with reimbursements, lack of insurance boards, limited surgical privelages, and orthos getting most complex, high dollar cases, the profession struggles.

- A high percentage of students each year do not even match for a residency and may have to wait up to 2 years for another shot. What good is a DPM without a residency and board certification?

Now, I must say that I was somewhat shocked to hear these things so I asked around and to my surprise, received somewhat similar answers. It was certainly disappointing but nonetheless, I thought I would bring it here to see if I can get some additional info/clarification.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[jonwill]

Background:

I've always been highly interested in podiatry (ever since I had three surgeries performed by a pod). I also spent time shadowing a pod at a local VA. So, I've looked very seriously at the profession.

Now, the comments I've had from some new DPMs and a fairly senior DPM in my area (in practice for 20 years and was a former residency director).

- They state that podiatry has been losing it's battle to be taken professionally for some time with the insurance agencies and that new pods are routinely locked out of access to various panels.

- It sounds like podiatry schools will take anyone with a pulse. Now, a recent grad of OCPM told me that "people will tell you it's getting more competitive, and that schools are trying to turn their acceptance criteria around, but the reality is schools are starving for students so sub-par candidates are granted admission every cycle."

- A wealth of health networks refuse to grant DPMs rear-foot surgical privelages in hospitals even though it's allowed by scope. Many 3 year residents are getting restricted to forefoot procedures.

- Hospital privelages can be extremely difficult to obtain as a DPM.

- The salary figures you read are bogus. Podiatry simply doesn't offer a viable way to make a living anymore in medicine. Maybe in the late 80's it was, but today with reimbursements, lack of insurance boards, limited surgical privelages, and orthos getting most complex, high dollar cases, the profession struggles.

- A high percentage of students each year do not even match for a residency and may have to wait up to 2 years for another shot. What good is a DPM without a residency and board certification?

Now, I must say that I was somewhat shocked to hear these things so I asked around and to my surprise, received somewhat similar answers. It was certainly disappointing but nonetheless, I thought I would bring it here to see if I can get some additional info/clarification.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Podiatry schools aren't that competitive but getting through school is another story. I know with the residency shortage, a handful of students didn't get spots but it certainly wasn't a "high percentage". Nonetheless, the profession has already stated that this in unacceptable and is working on the problem. I'm sure there are pockets where podiatry is not well accepted, but overall, I haven't heard of any of these problems on a large scale.

The funny part about most of those comments is that if podiatrists don't do all of the foot/ankle surgery, who is going to do it???

 

[TUpod2013]

The requirements to get into the podiatry schools are going up a little each year. Getting in is not that hard to do if you really want to do it. Getting through Pod school is more challenging than getting in as jonwill said. Also the schools this year agreed to take in less students to help alleviate the residency shortage. I have been in contact with members of the APMA as well as COTH (they set up the residency programs) in regards to the shortage. I can tell you that they are working hard on the problem and they will even tell you some of the ideas they are throwing around.

There are always going to be people that see the glass half empty with the profession. It could be that you asked people that were working in the states that currently are not too DPM-friendly. I have visited some residency programs where anything foot related that walked in the doors, the pod residents were automatically called.

When I was a first year student I had all these fears and heard the same rumors that you heard. I talked with some Alumni from Temple/PCPM, guys that have been in practice for over 30 years which are now taking on associates to replace and take over for them. They told me, not to worry about all that stuff. I will have a good life and it is nothing like what they had to deal with even 15-20 years ago. We are better trained today, we are more organized as a profession, and we are proving ourselves to the non-believers. Sure, we may lose a battle here and there, but the war is not looking as bad as you heard.

 

[RATM2010]

podiatrists are now as in your face like physician assistant, medical, dental, etc. You have a lot of good points, but why focus on it. Like anything, you can susceed or fail. It you are into foot/ankle/lower leg medical care and surgery, then apply and get ready to work hard. Have faith that you will do well and you will see the results later down the road. If you think that you will easily get in school, graduate, and earn >200k a year, then you better be willing to work really hard. Yes there are residency issues. Are you concerned with being at the bottom of your class. Do well in class and you SHOULD get a residency. You get where this is going. Get into this field because you think it is interesting, and cool, etc, not because of the money etc. Again, the money will be more than enough if you WORK HARD FOR IT!

 

[bocajuniors]

first, the field of podiatry is wide open. second, podiatric medical school IS getting more competitive. in the past most did take people with lower gpa's. but the vast majority with lower gpa's flunk out. it is a medical school. it is not hard to get privileges at hospital. i don't where you got your information but they are dead wrong.

 

[RachelElizabeth]

I'm going to have to argue with the OP. My father is a podiatrist and his practice gets busier and busier every year. This trend will undoubtedly continue as the population ages and more and more people get diabetes. He also earns more than my mother, a cardiologist in private practice (he is >400K, she is hovering around 330K, but that will decrease as medicare cuts are enacted in the coming months). He has privileges at the same hospitals as my mother. He has told me that the number of residencies in the area has nearly doubled in recent years. Who is this disgruntled podiatrist spreading nasty rumors?

 

[DRBZNS]

My heart is in podiatry but I'm from California I herd it's getting worse. I don't think it sounds reasonable to go to school for seven years and make a 100k a year before taxes. Is this insurance cut really gonna go through for pods. I applied with a dat so dental skol is an option but I love dpm. Please someone help. I would like to practice in California

 

[zane870]

My heart is in podiatry but I'm from California I herd it's getting worse. I don't think it sounds reasonable to go to school for seven years and make a 100k a year before taxes. Is this insurance cut really gonna go through for pods. I applied with a dat so dental skol is an option but I love dpm. Please someone help. I would like to practice in California

Sorry, but if you're only pulling in 100K before taxes then you are doing something wrong.

 

[javajava]

If your curious about salary after residency, look at the Young Members Salary. It was listed under the Podiatry Physicians subforum and on the first page. It says the salary, practice type, etc about fresh podiatrists.