- Joined
- Nov 23, 2015
- Messages
- 954
- Reaction score
- 1,624
Here's my take on the good, the bad and the ugly in the podiatric profession.
GOOD:
-We've got some great docs doing great work
-There are improved scopes of privileges compared with years ago
-Residency training is a mandatory 3 years, so there is some consistency though training varies
-There is an increasing presence of DPMs in ortho groups, hospitals and specialty groups
-Many young docs are starting with respectable salaries
-Hard work and honesty can result in a much better than average income.
BAD:
-There's not a lot of "uniqueness". Many things we do are duplicated by other professions
-NPs and PAs are now performing palliative care, wound care and treating common pathology
-Schools have a decreased applicant pool
-Decreased applicant pool results in poor quality students being accepted
-There is a major disparity in the training among residency programs
-There is minimal valuable original research within the profession
-APMA dues are ridiculous
-APMA needs to focus on important issues and not issues such as their Seal of Acceptance program
-Every time I see a newspaper clip about a DPM it involves the doc talking about the perils of flip flops
-Every time I see a DPM being interviewed on TV, it's about what shoes or socks to buy
-Low pass rates on the ABFAS certification exam
-Too many bogus certifying boards
-Practice management groups who are more concerned with money that patient outcomes
The UGLY:
-DPMs promoting screws that are DESIGNED to be removed in a few weeks (so they can bill for removal) and scaring the public with fears of "metallosis".
-DPMs using $20,000 worth of hardware for simple cases
-DPMs performing an arthroreisis and having the balls to bill for a subtalar joint arthroDESIS or billing for an open reduction with internal fixation of a talo tarsal dislocation.
-DPMs who advertise miracle cures of fungal nails with lasers
-DPMs having to use elaborate systems and fixation systems that cost thousands of dollars when performing a Lapidus
-DPMs who "sell" custom orthoses for every ailment when OTC will work as well.
-Crap residency programs (NY is a huge culprit) where the residents learn nothing and the residency directors use the residents and clinic for personal use and gain, while teaching them nothing of value and performing unbelievable amounts of unnecessary surgery on uneducated and vulnerable welfare patients.
-There is a "pediatric foot and ankle society" that claims to be the premier expert on pediatric foot pathology. However the current president
doesn't even perform pediatric surgery. The "premier" group? Is that why no pediatric hospital in the world has ever heard of one of these self proclaimed experts?
-There is a practice management group that preaches that they can make you more money. How ironic that the former or it may be the present president of the organization filed bankruptcy.
-There is a "balance brace" that is hawked to prevent falls in the elderly, even though there is no valid literature to support it's use. It's sold because Medicare pays thousands for the brace. Ironic that no valid literature about fall prevention ever mentions this brace. Ironic that no physiatrist, rehab doc, therapist or neurologist ever uses this brace. Ironic that Medicare does not pay for fall prevention braces, so even though it's hawked as a fall prevention brace the doctor has to fabricate a different diagnosis to get paid.
I can go on and on, but these are just a few of the thoughts that popped into my head. I'm sure my colleagues can add to this list.
GOOD:
-We've got some great docs doing great work
-There are improved scopes of privileges compared with years ago
-Residency training is a mandatory 3 years, so there is some consistency though training varies
-There is an increasing presence of DPMs in ortho groups, hospitals and specialty groups
-Many young docs are starting with respectable salaries
-Hard work and honesty can result in a much better than average income.
BAD:
-There's not a lot of "uniqueness". Many things we do are duplicated by other professions
-NPs and PAs are now performing palliative care, wound care and treating common pathology
-Schools have a decreased applicant pool
-Decreased applicant pool results in poor quality students being accepted
-There is a major disparity in the training among residency programs
-There is minimal valuable original research within the profession
-APMA dues are ridiculous
-APMA needs to focus on important issues and not issues such as their Seal of Acceptance program
-Every time I see a newspaper clip about a DPM it involves the doc talking about the perils of flip flops
-Every time I see a DPM being interviewed on TV, it's about what shoes or socks to buy
-Low pass rates on the ABFAS certification exam
-Too many bogus certifying boards
-Practice management groups who are more concerned with money that patient outcomes
The UGLY:
-DPMs promoting screws that are DESIGNED to be removed in a few weeks (so they can bill for removal) and scaring the public with fears of "metallosis".
-DPMs using $20,000 worth of hardware for simple cases
-DPMs performing an arthroreisis and having the balls to bill for a subtalar joint arthroDESIS or billing for an open reduction with internal fixation of a talo tarsal dislocation.
-DPMs who advertise miracle cures of fungal nails with lasers
-DPMs having to use elaborate systems and fixation systems that cost thousands of dollars when performing a Lapidus
-DPMs who "sell" custom orthoses for every ailment when OTC will work as well.
-Crap residency programs (NY is a huge culprit) where the residents learn nothing and the residency directors use the residents and clinic for personal use and gain, while teaching them nothing of value and performing unbelievable amounts of unnecessary surgery on uneducated and vulnerable welfare patients.
-There is a "pediatric foot and ankle society" that claims to be the premier expert on pediatric foot pathology. However the current president
doesn't even perform pediatric surgery. The "premier" group? Is that why no pediatric hospital in the world has ever heard of one of these self proclaimed experts?
-There is a practice management group that preaches that they can make you more money. How ironic that the former or it may be the present president of the organization filed bankruptcy.
-There is a "balance brace" that is hawked to prevent falls in the elderly, even though there is no valid literature to support it's use. It's sold because Medicare pays thousands for the brace. Ironic that no valid literature about fall prevention ever mentions this brace. Ironic that no physiatrist, rehab doc, therapist or neurologist ever uses this brace. Ironic that Medicare does not pay for fall prevention braces, so even though it's hawked as a fall prevention brace the doctor has to fabricate a different diagnosis to get paid.
I can go on and on, but these are just a few of the thoughts that popped into my head. I'm sure my colleagues can add to this list.
Last edited:
