PADPM,
I think I struck a nerve or something. First, thanks very much for this:
So, the "short" answer to your question is that at the PRESENT time, the amount of non VA hospitals hiring DPM's is minimal at best.
But, second, Im not sure what to think of all the extra BS you decided to add for some reason. Im caught in a world of fantasy walking around medical institutions in boston?? My exposure there simply inspired me to want to go into medicine and I want to get back there someday. Regardless, its a simple concept - Im interested in medicine and helping people, so I want to work in hospitals.
Cool_vkb,
I see no reason why the main foot pathologies treated by podiatrists cant be considered with other pathologies treated in hospitals that make people sick. Feet are exceedingly important. You receive 8 years of education and you do a 3 year residency to become an expert on feet. You should be in demand in hospitals. Why shouldnt you be able to clip toenails and then reconstruct a Charcot foot next to the dermatologist that treats acne and then suppresses necrotising fasciitis? Regardless, I think your field is changing and I think youll begin to see more pods hired full-time in hospitals, no thanks to people like you and PADPM. PADPM, youre telling me I should rethink podiatry because AT PRESENT (I used caps because Im quoting you. I usually dont use caps because I think it looks ridiculous; I picture you mashing the keys as you type and yelling at the computer) hospital based pod practices are limited
. Did u insert AT PRESESENT because you anticipate increased positions in the future?? Im not sure, but if you did, then I have to question where youre coming from when you tell me I should rethink podiatry. I think you guys need to embrace the changes that are coming your way.
Whoa now "umass319",
Let's take a step back and not be a hypocrite. You blasted me for using capital letters when I used the term "PRESENT", though I wasn't "screaming", but simply attempting to emphasize the point that's the way it is "now" and not in the future.
Ironically, when jonwill provided an excellent answer and also used capital letters when he stated "There IS a big demand........" you didn't seem to have any problem with him "screaming at you".
I also take significant offense at your statement "I think your field is changing and I think youll begin to see more pods hired full-time in hospitals, no thanks to people like you and PADPM".
You know absolutely nothing about me, yet you take the liberty to insult me, simply because I decided to give you an honest answer based on my 20+ years of experience. I take significant offense at your comment because I have done a helluva lot for my profession to move it forward, and probably more than you will ever do for this profession. I've done a lot to assure the guys like you will have a three year residency. I've busted my ass to assure that guys like you will even have hospital privileges. If you want, I'll elaborate;
When I first arrived at some of the hospitals where I practice, they only allowed DPM's to perform trivial procedures, not admit patients, etc. After years of fighting, I opened up the hospital to ALL (yes I used capitals) qualified DPM's to perform their own H&P's, admit on their own service and perform foot & ankle surgery.
I served as a residency director for a surgical residency for many years and took the time, energy and lot of my own money to create that residency program, and never received one dime in return (some residency directors get a stipend). As a result, I've trained and/or have given many DPM's the opportunity to have an excellent residency training.
I've had hundreds of students, interns/externs and residents rotate through my office.
I've served on various levels of the American Podiatric Medical Association and it's component organizations. I've served on committees of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and I served as an examiner for the board certification exam for the American Board of Podiatric Surgery for over 10 years.
So I sincerely resent you telling me "no thanks to PADPM" when I've contributed countless hours of my time to my profession, in order for ungrateful people like you to sling unwarranted insults.
I stated and will continue to state the facts. You can still be a "real" doctor and not be employed by a hospital. I provide the highest quality of care available, and perform the entire spectrum of procedures from nail care to applying external frames. I spend time in my office and spend time in the hospital and all my patients appreciate the care given just as much.
You made the inference that you're interested in helping people, so you want to work in hospitals. Does that mean that I'm not helping patients when I'm not in the hospital? Does that mean that my neighbor who is one of the most respected internists in my geographic area isn't "helping people" when he's not in the hospital and is "only" in his office?
You certainly don't need to tell me how to embrace changes or what changes to embrace. As previously stated, when I started practice I had to fight just to perform minor surgeries at some hospitals, and now I'm performing major reconstructive surgeries at those same hospitals.
But change doesn't happen simply because you want it to, but it's something you have to work for and fight for over a long time.
Health care is changing drastically, and although I would LOVE (yes I used capitals again) to see DPM's employed by every hospital, it's something I simply don't foresee happening in the near future. Hospitals are cutting back costs and simply don't "need" to hire DPM's. They are hiring hospitalists for inpatient care because internists are actually limiting their time in the hospital.
The bottom line is that the harsh reality is that at the present time there are very few hospitals hiring full time DPM's other than VA's. Yes, there are always exceptions, but presently those are minimal.
I hope that changes and I have worked my ass off in the past to advance this profession, but I simply don't see that change coming soon.
If you don't want or like honest answers, or only want to read answers that you're "looking" for, don't ask the question.
And in the future you may want to show a modicum of respect to those that have preceded you.