The Role of a Podiatrist
A podiatrist specializes in treating diseases and injuries of the feet and lower legs. He must demonstrate advanced knowledge of the bone structures in the foot, what may cause pain, skin problems, toenail issues, infections and more. Podiatrists must graduate from an accredited podiatric college and go through four years of medical training after at least three years of undergraduate study. About 12,200 podiatrists worked in the United States as of June 2008.
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Role
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According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a podiatrist examines patients' feet to diagnose issues that include corns, ingrown toenails, bunions or heel spurs. Younger patients may visit the podiatrist to discuss pain in the foot resulting from arch problems. Sometimes, the foot provides a first indication of a broader health issue such as diabetes that creates foot ulcers from poor blood circulation. Injuries to the foot cover bone fractures or torn ligaments. The podiatrist runs X-rays to study the bone structure, prescribe physical therapy or set fractures. She indicates what the design of shoe inserts should be by recording pressure points under the foot with a force plate system.
Interfaces
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A successful podiatrist should possess a scientific mind and investigative eye, and enjoy meeting patients and solving their health problems, according to podiatrist William Fishco and faculty member at the Podiatry Institute in Tucker, Ga. He regularly interacts with other professionals who support the activities of a podiatrist, including workers who specialize in developing orthopedic shoes and manufacturers of braces or shoe inserts. She also can talk with chiropractors or occupational therapists to recommend a certain movement therapy routine.
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Employment
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 12,200 podiatrists who practiced in the United States in 2008 represented 1.8 percent of all U.S. active physicians and surgeons. About 80 percent of podiatrists work in group practices with other health practitioners. Others have their own practices. About 1,000 podiatrist job opportunities are expected to open each year based on BLS' growth outlook for the 2008-2018 decade.
Education
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According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, podiatrists join the profession after three to four years of undergraduate study and four years in one of the eight podiatric college programs accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education as of May 2010. These programs offer a core curriculum, studying medicine with two years of clinical assignments in hospitals or private practices where students practice podiatry. Upon graduation, they must be licensed and pass national and state exams.
Admission Test for Podiatric College
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Entry into a podiatric college requires a good score on the Medical College Admission Test, according to the BSL. Some schools also accept students with good results on the Dental Admission Test, including the New York College of Podiatric Medicine; or the Graduate Record Exam, including Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine.
Earnings
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In addition to treating patients, podiatrists enjoyed a median salary of $114,768 in 2008, according to the Podiatry Management Magazine. Benefits such as health insurance and retirement packages are more prevalent in group practices than when a podiatrist operates solo.
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References
- Case Western Reserve University: The Current Role of Podiatry in America
- American Podiatric Medical Association: About Podiatry
- Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2010-11 Edition: Podiatrists
- Council on Podiatric Medical Education: Accreditation
- American Association of Colleges of Podiatry: List of Colleges of Podiatry Medicine
Resources
- Photo Credit left foot of ballerina image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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cute by matt.
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cute matt
