Which state have best practice rights?

[KHep]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but for some of us newcomers...

Which states have best scope?

I've heard complaints about NY. I've heard good things about FL. But, can someone give specifics?

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[Feli]

You are right that scope of DPM practice varies widely (no two states are even exactly alike). I believe a unified national scope of practice is needed and will bring more credibility to the profession and understanding of DPMs; that unified scope is an APMA and ACFAS goal right now.

Presently, I know Florida and Georgia are APMA "model states" (means they are states with a great DPM scope). I think Michigan, the home of the first pod residencies, is very likely to be another "model state." One thing you will notice about the "model states" is that there are a lot of DPMs there and therefore many people know how competent podiatrists are (also means DPMs have more sway in legislation). You have to be careful not to take the scope of practice too far, though... no pod should ever do anything they are not residency/fellowship trained and liscensed to do. Just because you are a DPM in Florida does not mean you can do a somplicated ankle fracture fixation if you were not fully trained for that.

I am fairly sure that South Carolina, NY, Minn, and some other states have a pretty limited scope of practice (essentially treat the whole foot for derm/gait ailments, but forefoot surgery only).

More info:
http://www.podiatryonline.com/main.cfm?pg=pro_development&fn=scopeofpractice

This was actually our homework for 1st semester Intro to Pod class: we had to find out the scope of practice of our home state. Take everything in this post with a grain of salt... I certainly haven't shadowed podiatrists in every state or looked up the laws in each state, so some of this is just hearsay. Your best bet is to shadow a podiatrist in your state and see what he does and does not do (although some of that is legally determined and some is residency/training determined as I said).

 

[KHep]

You are right that scope of DPM practice varies widely (no two states are even exactly alike). I believe a unified national scope of practice is needed and will bring more credibility to the profession and understanding of DPMs; that unified scope is an APMA and ACFAS goal right now.

Presently, I know Florida and Georgia are APMA "model states" (means they are states with a great DPM scope). I think Michigan, the home of the first pod residencies, is very likely to be another "model state."

I am fairly sure that South Carolina, NY, Minn, and some other states have a pretty limited scope of practice (essentially forefoot only).

More info:
http://www.podiatryonline.com/main.cfm?pg=pro_development&fn=scopeofpractice

This was actually our homework for 1st semester Intro to Pod class: we had to find out the scope of practice of our home state.

Thanks for the linK!

 

[JEWmongous]

1. "The practice of the profession of podiatry is defined as diagnosing, treating, operating and prescribing for any disease, injury, deformity or other condition of the foot, and may include performing physical evaluations in conjunction with the provision of podiatric treatment. Podiatrists may treat traumatic open wound fractures only in hospitals, as defined in article twenty-eight of the public health law."

2. "The practice of podiatry shall not include treating any part of the human body other than the foot, nor treating fractures of the malleoli or cutting operations upon the malleoli. Podiatrists licensed to practice, but not authorized to prescribe or administer narcotics prior to the effective date of this subdivision, may do so only after certification by the department in accordance with the qualifications established by the commissioner. The practice of podiatry shall include administering only local anesthetics for therapeutic purposes as well as for anesthesia and treatment under general anesthesia administered by authorized persons."

So in NY you can do both forefoot and rearfoot procedures. The ankle is not included in the scope of practice (cannot peform surgery on maleoli). Also, you cannot do soft tissue work above the foot. I knew a bill last year was put into the state to allow the ankle and soft tissue of the leg but it failed to pass. I believe there's another one that was created for this year. Hopefully in a few years things will change. I am pretty sure 39 states have the ankle in their scope of practice. Another thing to consider is if amputations are included in the scope of practice. This varies between states as well (digits, partial foot, full foot, etc). It would be amazing to have a universal scope of practice someday!!!

 

[shezadeh]

Updated table per ACFAS

https://www.acfas.org/uploadedFiles/Physicians/Health_Policy_and_Advocacy/Scope_of_Practice/Content/State%20Scope%20of%20Practice.pdf

 

[Weirdy]

Thread will be locked for: Bumping old post.

Have a nice day.