Research

[Shinobiz11]

---

Members do not see this ad.

As I loom into starting a molecular bio research project within the week, the role of a DPM in research has crossed my mind. Yes, I know there is a lot of clinical research being done and such. I was just wondering, could a pod perform research in non-podiatry related fields. Speaking more of microbio or molecular bio which are normally performed by PhD's or MD/DO's. I have always been interested in these fields. Don't get me wrong, podiatry related topics have their appeal as well.
Anyway...

Just wanted to know what are some proposed research topics that think would be interesting and worth studying. I'd like to hear others ideas. Keep in mind, we need research to keep this career moving in the right direction!

Personally, I have always been interested in the whole barefoot walking/running thing. Also would like to look into biomechanics of flatfeet, try to find more effective non-surgical treatment options. I'm still working out the details lol. Obviously I don't know anything about podiatry, at all, but I'm a planner and thinking about stuff like this keeps me sane while taking a busy course load. 🙂

 

[pacpod]

Absolutely you can do non-pod related research if you want to. Do what you are interested in. There are several profs here at DMU on basic science faculty that I'm sure would be open to taking on students.

The only research I have done was in bioinorganics so yeah ... not exactly pod related. 😉 As far as research while in pod school, I decided against it to focus solely on school.

 

[rushrhees]

As I loom into starting a molecular bio research project within the week, the role of a DPM in research has crossed my mind. Yes, I know there is a lot of clinical research being done and such. I was just wondering, could a pod perform research in non-podiatry related fields. Speaking more of microbio or molecular bio which are normally performed by PhD's or MD/DO's. I have always been interested in these fields. Don't get me wrong, podiatry related topics have their appeal as well.
Anyway...
. 🙂

I remember at scholl they were mentioning a project about psuedonoma infections in diabetic sores, I am sure they are out there. You have an open ticket and help on a variety of projects.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Wound care/diabetes involves a lot of microbio, so you could look into going the molecular route of wounds and regeneration.

 

[PrePodPolice]

I remember at scholl they were mentioning a project about psuedonoma infections in diabetic sores, I am sure they are out there. You have an open ticket and help on a variety of projects.

scholl is known for their research. i believe it's called the CLEAR lab, which was founded by a big-wig in podiatry. but i think he's left the school.

 

[EK18]

I remember at scholl they were mentioning a project about psuedonoma infections in diabetic sores, I am sure they are out there. You have an open ticket and help on a variety of projects.

How would a student get involved in research at Scholl? Would it be the same approach as in undergrad (go to office hours to establish a good rapport and then inquire about research opportunities)?

 

[pod101]

Thank you for bringing this up. I would ASSUME that podiatrists could conduct studies into several topics: diabetes, wound healing, bio-mechanics, perhaps even oncology/dermatology/nano-technology.

I am curious though what a DPM / PHD would offer you vs. just a DPM.

- would it make it easier to gain a job in academia? NIH? CDC? -> I noticed none of the previously mentioned government organizations seem to hire podiatrists?

Since I don't know any DPM/PHDs off hand and I really don't know any DO, RN, PA, DMD, DDS...that hold a dual phd...my only basis of comparison would be MDs. However, most MDs I have approached indicated that MD/PHD is a waste of time as most MDs pump out publications during school. MD/PHD usually means you want to be qualified to teach at a medical school. Yet most of the podiatry school staff has either a DPM OR a PHD, not both. Rarely do I see the combination. So again what would be the value of that dual degree? Could it open doors for you? Could it allow you to more easily conduct research beyond the realm of podiatry (if you wanted to), I really don't know. Could it allow you to more easily specialize with in the realm of podiatry (focusing on one topic such as wound healing / oncology etc etc.)

Curiously I DID notice that many influential podiatrists in Podiatry Today hold a dual degree in either DPM/MD or DPM/DO. This combination could easily expand ones scope of practice (I saw some combining family med with podiatry in rural areas, others focused heavily on wound healing / surgery).

Would like to get more opinions on this matter....

 

[PrePodPolice]

Thank you for bringing this up. I would ASSUME that podiatrists could conduct studies into several topics: diabetes, wound healing, bio-mechanics, perhaps even oncology/dermatology/nano-technology.

I am curious though what a DPM / PHD would offer you vs. just a DPM.

- would it make it easier to gain a job in academia? NIH? CDC? -> I noticed none of the previously mentioned government organizations seem to hire podiatrists?

Since I don't know any DPM/PHDs off hand and I really don't know any DO, RN, PA, DMD, DDS...that hold a duel phd...my only basis of comparison would be MDs. However, most MDs I have approached indicated that MD/PHD is a waist of time as most MDs pump out publications during school. MD/PHD usually means you want to be qualified to teach at a medical school. Yet most of the podiatry school staff has either a DPM OR a PHD, not both. Rarely do I see the combination. So again what would be the value of that duel degree? Could it open doors for you? Could it allow you to more easily conduct research beyond the realm of podiatry (if you wanted to), I really don't know. Could it allow you to more easily specialize with in the realm of podiatry (focusing on one topic such as wound healing / oncology etc etc.)

Curiously I DID notice that many influential podiatrists in Podiatry Today hold a duel degree in either DPM/MD or DPM/DO. This combination could easily expand ones scope of practice (I saw some combining family med with podiatry in rural areas, others focused heavily on wound healing / surgery).

Wound like to get more opinions on this matter....

okay, after reading your post i dont think you should worry about the PhD track lol jk.

a PhD will teach you how to conduct research, whereas a DPM will train you to become a consumer of research. it's difficult to get research grants for podiatry, b/c let's face it, feet are not sexy when it comes to medicine. if you went to the NIH conference and looked for some podiatry research, you would have better luck finding a giant squid doing the backstroke in your toilet.

of course, on the flip, having more schooling can only help advance your career. you will find more doors opened, and more importantly, you will impress the soigne society at cocktail parties.

 

[pod101]

No worries, I never had any plans in pursuing a PhD. I know I don't have the aptitude for it. I was just curious.

"if you went to the NIH conference and looked for some podiatry research, you would have better luck finding a giant squid doing the backstroke in your toilet."

- Now that is a depressing thought, lack of research and recognition at the national level. Its almost a symbolic representation on how the medical community allegedly feels about the podiatry profession in general, expendable.

"a PhD will teach you how to conduct research, whereas a DPM will train you to become a consumer of research"

-So if there is no (or few) forum(s) for podiatric research, I again will pose the question. What is the point of a earning a DUAL degree DPM/PhD? Unless it was to conduct research outside the realm of podiatry.

 

[ldsrmdude]

We had Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler come and lecture to us at AZPod while she was doing Post-doc work in Exercise Science at Arizona State University. She has a DPM degree, completed a good residency, got her PhD in Exercise Science and is a professor in exercise science now. She is definitely an exception, but they exist.

Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler

 

[heybrother]

No worries, I never had any plans in pursuing a PhD. I know I don't have the aptitude for it. I was just curious.

"if you went to the NIH conference and looked for some podiatry research, you would have better luck finding a giant squid doing the backstroke in your toilet."

- Now that is a depressing thought, lack of research and recognition at the national level. Its almost a symbolic representation on how the medical community allegedly feels about the podiatry profession in general, expendable.

"a PhD will teach you how to conduct research, whereas a DPM will train you to become a consumer of research"

-So if there is no (or few) forum(s) for podiatric research, I again will pose the question. What is the point of a earning a DUAL degree DPM/PhD? Unless it was to conduct research outside the realm of podiatry.

I would strongly advise that you take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. Besides being plagued by trolls we also have a steady stream of misinformation directed from posters who likely have no foundation of knowledge that would give them any measure of authority in commenting on such an issue.

 

[PrePodPolice]

I would strongly advise that you take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. Besides being plagued by trolls we also have a steady stream of misinformation directed from posters who likely have no foundation of knowledge that would give them any measure of authority in commenting on such an issue.

thank you for that little dig and adding so much to the conversation.

tell me, were you at the last NIH conference? probably not. because if you were, you'd realize there wasn't a podiatric program in sight. i know this because someone went there specifically looking for that and they found nothing. 👎

 

[heybrother]

thank you for that little dig and adding so much to the conversation.

tell me, were you at the last NIH conference? probably not. because if you were, you'd realize there wasn't a podiatric program in sight. i know this because someone went there specifically looking for that and they found nothing. 👎

I'm not the one claiming to be an authority. I'm simply a poster reading authoritative comments posted by an individual who I have a hard time putting my faith in and advising people to look to their sources. But lets all gather round and listen to a guy who knows someone who went to an event to find out if podiatry was there. That sounds like strong evidence that there's no podiatrists doing NIH research.

 

[pacpod]

Anyway, shinobiz11, I guess this whole thread boils down to say this. Yes, there are plenty of research opportunities both podiatry and non-podiatry related to participate in while in school. These are available to take for credit, not for credit, and funded by various groups and organizations both intra-professional and on the national level.

 

[Shinobiz11]

No worries, I never had any plans in pursuing a PhD. I know I don't have the aptitude for it. I was just curious.

"if you went to the NIH conference and looked for some podiatry research, you would have better luck finding a giant squid doing the backstroke in your toilet."

- Now that is a depressing thought, lack of research and recognition at the national level. Its almost a symbolic representation on how the medical community allegedly feels about the podiatry profession in general, expendable.

"a PhD will teach you how to conduct research, whereas a DPM will train you to become a consumer of research"

-So if there is no (or few) forum(s) for podiatric research, I again will pose the question. What is the point of a earning a DUAL degree DPM/PhD? Unless it was to conduct research outside the realm of podiatry.

I'm sorry but this is just ridiculous on so many levels

 

[EK18]

Yes. Plus they have an interest meeting halfway through the first year for anyone interested in the Summer research program.

Gotcha, thanks.

 

[PrePodPolice]

I'm not the one claiming to be an authority. I'm simply a poster reading authoritative comments posted by an individual who I have a hard time putting my faith in and advising people to look to their sources. But lets all gather round and listen to a guy who knows someone who went to an event to find out if podiatry was there. That sounds like strong evidence that there's no podiatrists doing NIH research.

more feckless drivel from "simply a poster." 😕 okay, so let me apologize for my inability to elicit your faith; god only knows how much i want it. 🙄 if you will permit me to elaborate; say this person, you know, the one "who went to an event," turns out to have a DPM/PhD and conducts his own research. would that change your mind? would you still doubt the veracity of his report if he is also government funded for his research? please tell me what i must do to convince you, or i shall never live it down!