What is a podiatrist?

[Beckie]

Hi everyone
I'm sorry to ask this question but I really don't know what a podiatrist does.

What kind of schooling does a podiatrist have to go through? Do you have to own your own business when you're done, or can you make a good income by working for someone else, i.e. like a hospital or something like that?

Thanks
Take care,
Beckie

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[box29]

Hi Beckie...a podiatrist is a podiatric physician that specializes in the foot and ankle and in some states, soft tissue to the anterior tuberosity of the tibia...basically, the lower extremity. A podiatric physician can diagnose lower extremity problems, prescribe medicines, and perform surgery. Also, DPMs also catch systemic diseases in patients such as hypertension and Diabetes and then refer them to a primary care provider. Here is a link to APMA and other sites...

http://www.apma.org/

http://www.aacpm.org/

http://www.aapsm.org/

http://www.finchcms.edu/scpm/

http://www.dmu.edu/cpms/index.html

http://www.midwestern.edu/azpod/

http://www.barry.edu/podiatry/

http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/default.cfm

http://www.nycpm.edu/

http://www.ocpm.edu/

http://podiatry.temple.edu/

Good luck!

 

[Beckie]

Wow
Thank you so much!

Take care,
Beckie

 

[spodok]

Wow
Thank you so much!

Take care,
Beckie

Pretty good from a Podometry school drop-out eh? Pretty pathetic no Podiatry students will answer you question. Very Pathetic.

 

[Beckie]

Maybe they are busy.

 

[box29]

Hey Beckie,

The podiatry students are pretty busy and most do not know of this forum. I hope you found the links very helpful. As I stated in another post, we all here to help each other out. This is the purpose of SDN. You've already encountered a negative post, but don't let that influence you. If you really want to know more about podiatric medicine and surgery, do all the research you can and then shadow a podiatric physician. Be sure to ask her/him all the questions you have. I would also suggest visiting the schools as well or those near to you. After you have done all of that, make the decision for yourself and don't let anyone sway it! Good luck!

PS. you can private message cg2a93, dpmdoc, efs, jconway, and others who post thoughtful and resourceful info.

 

[dpmdoc]

I don't believe that most podiatry students know about this forum, if so, they may be too busy to get on and chat. The forum is here for new doctors and students to collaborate and share ideas and give advice. There are many people willing to help. We will try to answer any questions that you, Becky, or anyone else has about podiatry school or the profession, or direct you to someone who can help you.

Podiatry school involves 4 years total, usually about two years of didactic work followed by 2 years of clinical internships. Then the graduated DPM moves on to residency where he/she can do a residency for 1-4 years depending on the amount of surgery or subspecialty one desires. After residency, many podiatrists open their own offices, much like dentists. There is a growing trend however, for podiatrists to join multispecialty groups and group podiatry practices. There are several options. Box 29 has given you many good websites to use as resources, and I will add one from the government called the bureau of labor and statistics that gives excellent info on podiatry, incomes and the outlook for the future of podiatry. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any questions.

www.bls.gov

just do a search and type in podiatrist
click on the first link it gives you and there is a bunch of good info
good luck

 

[thelost1]

Podiatry is a GREAT HEADACHE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go into anything but POD!!!!!

 

[diabeticfootdr]

Becky,

There are many areas for you to have a niche in podiatry. Residencies are standardized to 2 or 3 years now. The 2 year residency provides you excellent comprehensive training, and the 3 year adds more exposure to rearfoot and ankle surgery.

You can generalize (treat the most common podiatric conditions, like bunions, hammertoes, dermatologic conditions, wound care, heel pain, and common fractures) or you can subspecialize in diabetic foot surgery, foot and ankle trauma, or reconstruction.

Some podiatric physicians subspecialize even further.
Gary Dockery, DPM specializes in podo-dermatology;
Warren Joseph, DPM is specializes in infectious disease and is even board certified in it;
Gary Peter Jolly, DPM specializes in plastic/reconstructive surgery of the foot;
Bradley Bakotic, DO, DPM specializes is a lower extremity pathologist.

I read your earlier posts and saw your interest in radiology. There are some DPMs that specialize in reading foot/ankle MRIs.

I'm just graduating from Des Moines University, but I've heard that Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago provides great radiology background.

Something to consider,

Lee C. Rogers (DPM on Saturday)