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Why did you choose Podiatry over other professional schools? Just wondering.
Why did you choose Podiatry?
- Thread starter Arijos0222
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There are a lot of stories out there, but I am happy to share mine.
When I entered high school I knew that I wanted to seek a profession in the medical field. I took anatomy and biology classes where I continued to learn about the human body. In fact I knew many different neighbors that were in the medical field. I observed PT's, DMD's, and Ortho's. I actually observed a DDS for an entire year two times per week. My first medical specialty goal was to become a dentist!
At the end of high school I went to Chile for two years of volunteer service for my church. While there I learned the Spanish language and adapted to a new culture. I also discovered that I have a talent communicating and relating with others. I was able to discuss with the people I met ways of improving their lifestyle in a positive and effective way. I also had my first encounter with a podiatrist. I developed a large plantar wart on my heel and couldn't walk without it hurting immensely. I was told to visit a podiatrist. At my appointment I noticed that the podiatrist wasn't intimidating. He was very quick to give a diagnosis, his treatment was straightforward, and he educated me about how to prevent further foot problems.
Upon returning to the United States I was ready to start my studies again. Knowing that I was interested in a career in medicine, I began to narrow down my interests among the different specialties. I remembered my experience from Chile and researched podiatry. After speaking with several podiatrists and learning more about the profession, I found it was the right fit for me. Size 12! Ha! Get it?
I arranged to spend time in the office of a couple podiatrists. While observing them, I saw a variety of foot and ankle problems and how to treat them. There were fungal problems, infected toes, surgical follow ups, and wart treatments. My favorite experience was observing how both doctors interacted with their patients. They made the patients feel relaxed and answered questions about their treatment. After my first visit I was hooked on becoming a podiatrist.
When I entered high school I knew that I wanted to seek a profession in the medical field. I took anatomy and biology classes where I continued to learn about the human body. In fact I knew many different neighbors that were in the medical field. I observed PT's, DMD's, and Ortho's. I actually observed a DDS for an entire year two times per week. My first medical specialty goal was to become a dentist!
At the end of high school I went to Chile for two years of volunteer service for my church. While there I learned the Spanish language and adapted to a new culture. I also discovered that I have a talent communicating and relating with others. I was able to discuss with the people I met ways of improving their lifestyle in a positive and effective way. I also had my first encounter with a podiatrist. I developed a large plantar wart on my heel and couldn't walk without it hurting immensely. I was told to visit a podiatrist. At my appointment I noticed that the podiatrist wasn't intimidating. He was very quick to give a diagnosis, his treatment was straightforward, and he educated me about how to prevent further foot problems.
Upon returning to the United States I was ready to start my studies again. Knowing that I was interested in a career in medicine, I began to narrow down my interests among the different specialties. I remembered my experience from Chile and researched podiatry. After speaking with several podiatrists and learning more about the profession, I found it was the right fit for me. Size 12! Ha! Get it?
I arranged to spend time in the office of a couple podiatrists. While observing them, I saw a variety of foot and ankle problems and how to treat them. There were fungal problems, infected toes, surgical follow ups, and wart treatments. My favorite experience was observing how both doctors interacted with their patients. They made the patients feel relaxed and answered questions about their treatment. After my first visit I was hooked on becoming a podiatrist.
For me:
More autonomy than some other professions (p.a., r.n. etc.)
less schooling time and has more focus (D.O.)
Less debt (D.O.)
there is a pod school right next to my house, less debt (D.O.)
I don't have an inferiority complex so for me as long as i can help people than I am happy (D.O.)
You have a balance between medicine and surgery, which is nice.
more tangible results in comparison with being a PCP
the salary is comfortable and there is some wiggle room for a higher salary
My family and girlfriend all live around the DPM school I am going to.
I would have to restudy for my mcats and do an SMP too much time. (M.D.)
More autonomy than some other professions (p.a., r.n. etc.)
less schooling time and has more focus (D.O.)
Less debt (D.O.)
there is a pod school right next to my house, less debt (D.O.)
I don't have an inferiority complex so for me as long as i can help people than I am happy (D.O.)
You have a balance between medicine and surgery, which is nice.
more tangible results in comparison with being a PCP
the salary is comfortable and there is some wiggle room for a higher salary
My family and girlfriend all live around the DPM school I am going to.
I would have to restudy for my mcats and do an SMP too much time. (M.D.)
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1. 3-year residency.
2. didn't want to retake the MCAT
3. live at home save approximately 60-80k solely on living expenses
4. outpt surgery procedures.
I observed a 16hr CABG. my poor feet, never again.
2. didn't want to retake the MCAT
3. live at home save approximately 60-80k solely on living expenses
4. outpt surgery procedures.
I observed a 16hr CABG. my poor feet, never again.
1. the balance between medicine and surgery
2. my own personal experience (ruptured my achilles tendon, bruised a few bones in my foot, broke a bone, etc.) gave me a huge respect for the profession
3. had great experiences shadowing
4. think it's awesome!
2. my own personal experience (ruptured my achilles tendon, bruised a few bones in my foot, broke a bone, etc.) gave me a huge respect for the profession
3. had great experiences shadowing
4. think it's awesome!
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Viewing a 16 hour heart surgery... ouch
For those of whom didn't want to retake the MCAT or had lower grades, would you still chose Podiatry if you had competitive grades?
For those of whom didn't want to retake the MCAT or had lower grades, would you still chose Podiatry if you had competitive grades?
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Hmmm...I would. Podiatry is fantastic, and combines all the things in medicine I am looking for all without the necessity of getting a 3.8cGPA/34+ MCAT and pretending I have the time to volunteer 10-15 hours per week on top of school and work only to MAYBE have a shot at acceptance, as is the case with MD. To have worked so hard to achieve these numbers for a spot in MD school and then MAYBE match to my preferred speciality (of which none exist in MD anyway)...too much effort, energy, sacrifice, money (tuition is ridiculously high, 30-50K/year above DPM fees) for the level of uncertainty involved, for me. I cannot justify paying that much for a profession where in other G20 countries, tuition is a fraction of that while remuneration is only slightly lower than that in the US. In order to be worth that debt, I would need to make at least 300K/year as an MD.
In my ideal world, if I went MD, I would do FM + narrow scope Gen Surg and only do outpatient procedures....which is essentially podiatry in nature anyway. Go figure. In any case, while I am very passionate about medicine, it's not my life; medicine is perhaps the most rewarding job on earth, but it is still a job like any other. I work to live, not the other way around. A career in podiatry allows for that level of balance.
To be honest I have become very happy with the idea of becoming a podiatrist, so at this point of my life yes I would still consider it. If you asked me a year ago, maybe the answer would have been different.
As of recent with only a few months before I graduate and the start of pod school I started getting nervous about if this is right for me. So then I started talking to people and doing a lot of research just for some extra reassurance and I decided podiatry was for me.
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If I do go into Podiatry, there would be a couple reasons.
1) Not as competitive as other healthcare fields. (MD/DO, DDS/DMD)
2) The unique mix of surgery and medicine, I believe this is the only field that allows this.
3) Comfortable Income
4) Able to make a difference in patient's lives
If I decide against going into Podiatry however, there would be some reasoning behind it.
1) Negative views of Podiatry (Basically ask an orthopod what his opinion is on podiatry)
2) Job didn't match up with my expectations (I didn't shadow yet, getting on that)
1) Not as competitive as other healthcare fields. (MD/DO, DDS/DMD)
2) The unique mix of surgery and medicine, I believe this is the only field that allows this.
3) Comfortable Income
4) Able to make a difference in patient's lives
If I decide against going into Podiatry however, there would be some reasoning behind it.
1) Negative views of Podiatry (Basically ask an orthopod what his opinion is on podiatry)
2) Job didn't match up with my expectations (I didn't shadow yet, getting on that)
