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Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Podiatrists, known as Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.), are foot specialists who examine, diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and deformities of the feet. Podiatrists rely on physical examinations, tests and X-rays to diagnose a patient's problem. These problems include corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, infections, heel spurs, fractures, warts, tumors, skin or nail diseases, and congenital or acquired deformities.
In diagnosing a foot problem, podiatrists may order X-rays and laboratory tests. Depending on the diagnosis, they may recommend proper shoes, fit corrective devices, prescribe drugs, order physical therapy, perform surgery, set fractures or prepare orthoses (braces and surgical supports).
Like physicians, podiatrists must be aware of general health problems affecting a patient. A disease like diabetes or hardening of the arteries may first show symptoms in the feet or legs, so a podiatrist must be alert to such ailments. Podiatrists are trained to spot these and other systemic diseases and refer patients to other medical specialists when appropriate.
Podiatrists usually work independently in their own office. Some may work in group practices.
| Some other responsibilities of the podiatrist include: |
| • | Treating deformities, such as flat or weak feet and food imbalance, using mechanical and electrical methods |
| • | Treating conditions such as shortened tendons, cysts, bone disorders and abscesses by surgical methods |
| • | Prescribing drugs |
| • | Advising patients concerning continued treatment of disorders and proper foot care to prevent recurrence |
| • | Teaching and consulting |
| • | Lecturing to the public on health care for the foot and associated disorders |
| • | Practicing sports medicine |
Podiatrists may specialize in one or many areas of podiatric medicine.
These specialty fields are:
| Orthopedic Podiatrists | treat bone, muscle and joint disorders |
| Podopediatricians | treat foot ailments affecting adolescents, children and newborns. They work to prevent and treat congenital and acquired disorders or foot diseases |
| Podiatric Surgeons | perform foot surgery |
| Podogeriatricians | treat foot problems of the elderly |
Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for podiatrists are excellent. Podiatry is an area in medicine currently employing the fewest amount of professionals. The demand for podiatrists is increasing as a result of the aging population who tend to have more problems with their feet, and the general population's increased interest in sports and physical exercise.
Educational Requirements
Length of training for students of podiatric medicine is six to eight years beyond high school. To become a podiatrist, students must have a minimum of 90 semester hours in undergraduate college education. Most schools require a four-year baccalaureate degree. The four-year program at a college of podiatry includes classroom and laboratory work as well as clinical sciences, techniques and procedures. Residency training varies from one to three years.
Educational Programs
Dr William M Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Rd
North Chicago, IL 60064
800-843-3059
http://rosalindfranklin.edu/scpm/
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Additional Resources
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
1350 Piccard Drive, Suite 322
Rockville, MD 20850
(800) 922-9266
http://www.aacpm.org/
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