A step in time to look after one’s feet and ankles can help make the journey pleasant and pain-free. Podiatrists are qualified professionals who use diverse methods and tools to diagnose, treat or prevent ailments, injuries, diseases and deformities related to the human foot, ankle and lower leg. They ta... Continue Reading
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Explore Career A step in time to look after one’s feet and ankles can help make the journey pleasant and pain-free. Podiatrists are qualified professionals who use diverse methods and tools to diagnose, treat or prevent ailments, injuries, diseases and deformities related to the human foot, ankle and lower leg. They tackle common complaints, such as bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, ingrown nails, athlete’s foot and warts and care for the foot health of patients with particular issues, such as diabetes.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Podiatrist?
A Podiatrist would typically need to:
Whether they are self-employed, part of a group practice, or employed at a clinic, hospital or other healthcare facility, Podiatrists typically work in sanitary and well-lit conditions. They spend time in outpatient departments and operating rooms and must be well-versed in using various types of equipment and tools, such as X-ray machines, lasers and surgical instruments. While examining or treating patients, they must stand, kneel or bend and possess good vision and manual dexterity. They must also carry out administrative and business-related work at their desks, particularly if they run their own practice.
Excellent communication skills are handy as your work requires direct interaction with patients, caregivers and medical staff. Business acumen will help you manage your independent or group practice.
Travel may be required to visit patients in their own homes or nursing homes or attend conferences and training programs.
You may choose to wear a uniform if you run your own practice or may be required to do so by the healthcare facility that employs you.
Podiatrists typically keep standard office hours, up to 40 or 50 hours a week. However, they may extend their timings to evenings or weekends to suit the convenience of their patients and may also need to stay on call to attend to emergencies.
Freelance or part-time work is also possible, including attending to patients at their homes or private podiatry clinics or doing locum work. If self-employed, you may have greater flexibility in managing your appointments.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Podiatrists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Podiatrists may choose to practice solo or in a group practice. They may opt to be employed by healthcare facilities or work with them on an independent contractor basis. They may also choose temporary locum tenens positions offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need.
Podiatrists are generally employed by:
Healthcare associations, such as the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP), provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers. Affiliated Podiatrists may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them keep up with the latest breakthroughs and developments in the field, including plum jobs.
To show their commitment to the long qualifying period, every applicant to a medical program needs work experience in their local hospital, doctor's surgery, nursing home, or mental health trust. It will help them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in medicine.
You must typically demonstrate an understanding of a Podiatrist’s role to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. Some ways to build familiarity with the career are reading about the profession, performing community service, undertaking relevant research, and interviewing or job shadowing Podiatrists working in a ward or outpatient clinic services.
Inquire at your local clinics and private solo or group practices if they offer any avenues for aspiring Podiatrists to gain insights into the field and send out speculative applications. Some teaching hospitals also offer work experience in their podiatry departments, specifically for secondary school students interested in a medical degree and a career as a Podiatrist. Experience in a health-related or caring role may also be valuable. It helps document such experiences on letters of recommendation submitted with medical school applications.
Clinical placements and time spent shadowing and observing podiatric practice are typically integrated into your degree studies, offering valuable experience and insights into the field. Taking detailed notes and recording reflections will help you use your experience as you prepare to begin work.
You may also join professional organisations that offer membership to student Podiatrists. As a member, you can access journals, papers and news articles and may gain discounted entry into their events.
Depending on the requirements of your location, you may need to follow the track of podiatric medicine to become a licensed Podiatrist or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in podiatry, which will enable you to register on the relevant council for professions relating to health and care. Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Where attending an accredited college of podiatric medicine is mandatory and possible only at the master’s degree level, the requirements to practise as a Podiatrist are a DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) degree, a licensing examination, a residency and an internship. Entry requirements for a podiatric medical program include completing a four-year bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine, biology, chemistry or a closely related field, during which you undertake coursework in the sciences and mathematics, and passing the admissions test for medical colleges.
Following their undergraduate program, aspiring Podiatrists pursue four years of podiatric medical education to earn their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Podiatric medical schools approximate general medical education but emphasise biomechanics and lower extremity conditions.
The first two years of the DPM program consist of course and laboratory work in anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, immunology, medical ethics and the art/practice of medicine, preparing students for patient interaction. You would spend the following two years in a hospital or clinical setting, receiving exposure to real-life medical issues via rotations through various medical specialities and settings, including surgery, under the supervision of experienced physicians. As they complete rotations, students tend to zero in on certain specialities or environments that fit their particular interests and skill sets.
Upon passing through the program, the freshly-minted DPMs must complete a three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency, working under a licensed Podiatrist’s supervision to gain practical skills in patient diagnosis and treatment and running a podiatry practice. Following residency, you may complete an internship/fellowship in specialised areas, such as surgery, orthopaedics or public health. Some Podiatrists may undertake further training in sub-specialities, such as sports medicine, paediatrics, dermatology, radiology, geriatrics or the care and preservation of diabetics' feet.
While board certification is voluntary, licensing is mandatory and possible upon completing two years of residency.
Where the route is non-medical, you may complete an undergraduate podiatry degree three or four years long, depending on location. If you already hold a degree in any of the sciences, such as biology, or healthcare-related fields, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy or sports science, you may directly apply to a two-year master’s degree in podiatry. Podiatry degree programs teach you the fundamentals of podiatry, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, sports science, nail surgery, pharmacology, health psychology and orthopaedics. Clinical placements all through give you practical experience to supplement theoretical knowledge. You may receive a grant from government-funded medical and healthcare services in your location.
Qualifying through a non-medical route allows you to guide patients, prescribe certain medications and exercises, create orthotics, use ultrasonic devices, cryotherapy, electrosurgery and specialised dressings, and refer patients to other specialists.
Upon completing your course, you would need to register on the relevant council to practise using the protected title of Podiatrist. You may acquire advanced qualifications, training and experience to specialise in areas such as biomechanics, forensic podiatry nail surgery, orthotic manufacture, podiatric surgery, rehabilitation and wound care with Another pathway into non-medical podiatry is through a degree apprenticeship, which blends academic instruction and practical experience, whereby you can earn and study simultaneously.
Without a degree, you may land an entry-level job as an assistant podiatrist working under a registered Podiatrist’s supervision; with experience, you could go on to train as a Podiatrist on courses approved by the relevant registration council.
Take college preparatory courses in high school, including biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, psychology and sociology. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.
Board certification is voluntary and typically acquired through work experience, training, and passing an examination. It demonstrates a Podiatrist’s knowledge of diagnosing general medical problems and surgical managing diseases, deformities and trauma of the feet, ankles and structures that affect them. Certification can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Licensing is mandatory in some locations, particularly those where Podiatrists are medically qualified and typically possible upon completing the first two years of the three-year podiatric residency program. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or completing an internship, residency, or apprenticeship. You may need to fulfil the continuing education requirements to renew your licence periodically.
Other locations may require you to register yourself in the relevant council to work as a healthcare professional or non-medical Podiatrist. Maintaining your registration typically requires you to undertake continuing professional development (CPD).
Podiatrists may also need an employment background check, particularly when working with children and vulnerable adults. Such a check includes, but may not be limited to, a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
Starting in general clinics in entry-level roles, Podiatrists may advance to higher-responsibility positions, such as Chief of Podiatry Services or Director of a clinic or hospital department. Typically, advancement takes the form of earning recognition as an expert in particular problems and treatments concerning the feet, ankles and related structures.
With relevant training, you may branch out into research or academia and work at universities, hospitals or clinics. You may even use your experience and skills to become Consultants to industry, government agencies or insurance companies.
If you have entered podiatry through the non-medical route, you may take approved courses at the master’s level with the relevant council to qualify to become a Podiatric Surgeon. Starting as an entry-level podiatrist, you may specialise in managing patients at high risk due to diabetes or a condition of pneumatology or dermatology.
From here, you will likely become a Specialist, Team Leader or Advanced Podiatrist, Specialist Registrar in podiatric surgery or even Consultant Podiatric Surgeon.
Membership in professional organisations allows you to participate in their conferences and courses, providing opportunities to network and engage in professional development to advance your career.
You may launch your own practice or buy or partner up with an existing one if you have acquired adequate experience, built an extensive network and feel confident about tackling administrative work along with your patient-care duties as a Podiatrist. To run your practice, you must manage human resources, finances, accounts, inventory and marketing. You may expand your services to follow a multi-chair or multi-site model that would allow you freedom, flexibility, profitability and a way to build your business acumen.
You may branch out into teaching and research or administrative roles in hospitals or colleges of podiatry.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with the necessary education, skills, experience, licence and certification have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for public well-being and career progression in the healthcare sector. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT. Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Podiatrists.
Following up your residency with a fellowship allows you to specialise in limb salvage of the diabetic foot, wound care, sports medicine or trauma. You may also specialise in working with senior citizens or become a Paediatric Podiatrist.
To retain or renew your license, certification or registration, you must complete periodic CPD and provide recorded evidence of having updated your skills and knowledge. Membership in relevant professional bodies opens up opportunities to take courses and attend conferences where you can network and exchange ideas with other Podiatrists. You may also job shadow senior Podiatrists or undertake continuing education (CE) to stay up to date with the latest developments in podiatric medicine and foot surgery. You may pursue courses in business skills, marketing and financial management if you aim to launch your own practice.
As a Podiatrist in the non-medical stream, you may join various podiatry regulating bodies and receive access to their specialist training programs, research updates and conferences. If you wish to specialise in a specific area of podiatric medicine, such as surgery, you will require additional training. You could also pursue a master’s or doctoral degree to enter research or academia.
The Roots of Podiatry
The earliest evidence of foot physicians discovered by archaeologists from 2400 BC is in the form of wall carvings showing an Egyptian physician caring for foot-related issues. Ancient Greeks owed their foot care to Hippocrates, who also developed a scalpel to scrape away painful calluses.
Before the 1960s, podiatry existed in the form of chiropody that functioned in an unregulated manner and was not a medical field. Providing foot inserts to patients to relieve pain from foot injury, typically due to arthritis or diabetes, was the mainstay of a chiropodist’s work. Podiatry in its modern form may be traced back to the 1960s when schools began to offer the DPM or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.
Some countries, such as the UK, continue to use the term “chiropodist”, but you require intensive training to earn the title and practise.
Some Problems a Podiatrist Tackles
A Podiatrist’s Scope of Practice
Public health podiatry focuses on providing preventive and high-quality care to patients based on healthcare policy and best clinical practices.
General clinics help train aspiring Podiatrists as the clientele typically presents diverse and unique foot and ankle problems.
Podopaediatrics tackles children’s lower limb problems. It is crucial to address the anatomy and function of children’s feet to prevent long-term impact on their gait and quality of life.
Foot surgery requires appropriate qualifications and extended training.
Reconstructive podiatry focuses on surgery, tackling complex reconstructions, such as the Charcot foot syndrome. Surgery complications are higher than in other subspecialties of podiatry, and cases take longer on average.
High-risk patients are a particular concern for Podiatrists. Certain diseases or conditions affect the health of lower limbs. For instance, people with diabetes may suffer from poor circulation, which can lead to complications. Peripheral nerve damage and rheumatoid arthritis are other issues affecting mobility and the quality of life.
Wound care podiatry focusing on complex wounds, managing infections and limiting complications is interdisciplinary. It overlaps the fields of infectious disease, dermatology, vascular surgery and plastic surgery.
Limb salvage & preservation podiatry concerns people with diabetes or vascularly-compromised patients and focuses on preventing or conducting lower extremity amputations.
Biomechanics studies how our limbs function and coordinate with each other to enable movement, such as walking and running. Podiatrists focus on the biomechanics of the lower limbs and how disruptions affect overall mobility.
Sports podiatry, a growing field, relies on biomechanics, physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques to help tackle sports injuries. Managing lower limb injuries is critical to safeguarding the upper body, posture and athletic performance. Sports Podiatrists are typically highly compensated and carry out a high volume of swift procedures. Customised orthotics are helpful for pain relief and gait management. Conservative tactics include taping, padding, dressing, splinting and casting.
A Podiatrist’s Toolkit
Podiatrist vs Orthopedist
Both medical professionals diagnose patients using X-rays, MRIs and other diagnostic tools and develop treatment plans that comprise surgery, medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. However, Podiatrists diagnose, treat and help prevent conditions and injuries only of the foot and ankle, such as bunions, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, Achilles tendonitis, sprains, strains and fractures. On the other hand, orthopedists diagnose and treat patients with injuries or diseases of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles across the human body and also provide preventive care.
While both enter medical school via a bachelor’s degree, Podiatrists go through a three-year residency program focusing on foot and ankle surgery, while orthopedists complete a five-year residency program focused on orthopaedic surgery. Eventually, both must acquire licensure to practise.
Podiatrist vs Podiatric Surgeon
Although both have a similar academic background and diagnose, treat and prevent conditions and injuries to the feet, ankles and legs, there are certain differences in the scope of their work. Most importantly, those who call themselves Podiatrists may focus more on non-surgical treatments and diagnostics, prescribing medication and advising lifestyle changes. Those who go by the title of podiatric surgeons may treat the same issues but adopt a surgical approach. By that token, Podiatrists may be more flexible about where they work and can work from home or see patients in their homes, while podiatric surgeons need specialised equipment and clinical settings to carry out their work.
Orthotist vs Podiatrist
An Orthotist holds expertise and qualifications in designing, manufacturing and fitting customised orthopaedic devices made from diverse materials, such as plastics, metals and composites, and used to support or correct the function of joints or bones.
Some of the work of orthotists and Podiatrists may overlap when it concerns lower limb care, particularly in creating personalised footwear and assistive devices. However, their qualifications differ. Orthotists typically acquire a Doctor of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics, while Podiatrists are backed by a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree.
Podiatrist vs Chiropractor
While Podiatrists are medical professionals, chiropractors specialise in a branch of alternative medicine. As a result, unlike chiropractors, Podiatrists are qualified to prescribe medications. Chiropractors deal with issues related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, tackling their impact on overall health, typically using spinal and joint manipulation and adjustment techniques to alleviate pain and improve function. They may also offer advice on lifestyle changes and nutrition, referring their patients to specialists as needed.
Podiatrists attend medical school for four years to earn their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), followed by a three-year residency and licensure. Chiropractors complete a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which can take four to five years but is not a medical degree. However, it includes coursework in anatomy, physiology and related subjects and builds practical experience in treating patients through clinical rotations. Both Podiatrists and chiropractors must obtain licensure to practise.
Podiatrist vs Toenail Cutting Services
Some locations may provide volunteer groups, likely trained by Podiatrists, to trim the toenails of the elderly or those unable to do so independently. Foot health practitioners may also provide this basic service after completing a short course in foot care. They may be more qualified than volunteers but much less than Podiatrists.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
The job growth and demand for Podiatrists are expected to be limited by the small size of the occupation and due to the fact that most Podiatrists practise for up to forty or fifty years and patients typically stay loyal to their practitioner. On the other hand, populations are increasing and ageing worldwide, and the rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, are rising, along with comorbidities. People are also generally more active, increasing the risk of injury. If it were not for controls on speciality healthcare costs, one could expect the employment rate for Podiatrists to grow faster.
The rise of multidisciplinary group practices, clinics and health networks and the expansion of outpatient podiatric surgery may boost employment opportunities. Job seekers may choose research, academic and administrative roles in podiatry colleges or hospitals. Where valid, certification helps land a job.
DIFFERENT MODELS OF MEDICAL PRACTICE
A Podiatrist can opt for a specific practice model from among the prevalent ones.
Solo Practice
Suburban or rural areas with significant medical needs and less competition suit solo practice. Remember that while you can grow and develop your unique style of medical care, it involves considerable effort, time and financial risk.
Group Practice
The group practice may comprise single-speciality or multi-speciality providers. Physicians in this model enjoy financial security and have administrative staff so the physician can focus more time and energy on patient care. However, autonomy and decision-making ability decrease, increasing the risk of conflict around significant practice issues. Larger practices also tend to become more bureaucratic and policy-driven.
Employed Physician Practice
The physician can focus on practising medicine because the employer takes over the financial and administrative responsibilities of running the practice. However, those who develop the policies and procedures will control your work schedule and activities.
Other Types of Medical Practice
Some physicians work as independent contractors in a solo or group practice; they may share financial responsibility and flexibility in clinical practice but may not be free to make all decisions.
Locum tenens (literally “place holder”) is an alternative to more permanent employment. Locum tenens positions are temporary (up to a year) and offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need. The compensation rate is generally higher than what the permanent position would suggest. Locum tenens allows physicians to gauge a specific type of practice or location without committing to long-term employment.
From waking up to bedtime, our feet work hard to provide us with support, balance and mobility. The complex structure of each foot, with its 28 bones, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, puts in perspective the value of a Podiatrist’s skilled services. Whether diagnosing and treating conditions of the feet, ankles and related structures of the leg or providing the regular and preventive care that our feet deserve, Podiatrists help their patients become or remain mobile and independent, adding smiles to the miles.
Along with critical thinking skills to accurately diagnose and treat foot- and ankle-related problems and specialised training in surgery, you must develop and use effective interpersonal and communication skills to interact with patients and other healthcare professionals. Stay calm to relieve your patients’ fears and help them feel safe.
The orthotics a Podiatrist uses depend on a patient’s regular shoe style, for instance, formal dress shoes or sneakers. New lightweight, stronger and thinner devices boost a patient’s walking comfort.
What do Podiatrists do?
A Podiatrist would typically need to:
Accredited
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