I'm a dumb osteopath. Now that I'm a PGY2, we talk money more freely. None of my seniors signed for <250k whether it's PCP or hospitalist work and jobs are plentiful. The job itself might not be for everyone, but opportunity and pay is there
"Potential" is a hard thing to sell with 300k debts and 100k starting salaries. If you took out all the surgery potentials and replaced it with guaranteed 200-250k DPM base salaries, this board would've been a happier place
Hi again,
Too many comments to respond to all, so I'll focus on what I saw as the primary themes.
1. Insinuation that I'm of a different generation so don't have the same perspective. I'm in practice 17 years. Not "old' and not "young." I started practice after the so called "good old days" of high reimbursement that others have commented on. We don't get paid tons of money for a bunionectomy. So what? No use crying over spilled milk. I never benefited from that prior system so I live in the one I'm in. I don't cry to have the past back. Regarding my perspective, I CAN speak to people considering going into podiatry as a career, which, I think, is the purpose of this forum.
2. The original question was NOT about the ability to find a job but about satisfaction, so I'll stay focused on that except to say for those of you who had a hard time finding a job there are a number of reasons that might have occurred. I was willing to move to improve my situation. I took 3 different jobs in 3 different locations in the country. Maximize your training and your skills. Network. Be flexible. Show how you are different and you'll likely find a good job. Yes, there are some bad apples that might rip you off. If you work for one, leave the job for another.
3. I had almost $300,000 in debt after school. Yes debt stinks. You'll make enough to pay it off over the 25 year life of the loan.
4. Yes, we don't always make as much money from surgery as we should. Yes, insurance companies and medical malpractice are often difficult to deal with. The stoics advise to focus on yourself and not others. I don't waste my time thinking about how much others make or what they're doing. BTW there's so much more to podiatry than surgery.
5. I didn't state my income to brag about how great I am. I'm an average podiatrist. I work very hard to earn everything I have. I'm not ripping off younger podiatrists. The people I know who own practices are not ripping anyone off. No one has ever given me a handout. I state it only to show people considering podiatry what is possible. BTW others make so much more money than I do. Leverage your strengths and skills in creative ways and you'll make a reasonable income.
6. I run a residency and we graduate 3 residents/year. All of them can get jobs, and they're all doing well. How well, you'll have to find out by speaking with them.
Finally, to all of you considering podiatry as a career, educate yourselves. Talk to as many podiatrists as you can. Don't just listen to all of us on any forum (myself included). Ask detailed questions so you can make an informed decision. Consider that podiatry IS a legitimate career with a lot to offer. Like every medical profession podiatry is not perfect; it has its challenges. If I had to do it again, yes I would. If the career fits you, then go for it and the best of wishes to you.