The diagnosis and treatment of diseases and deformities of the feet is the special field of podiatry. Podiatrists treat corns, bunions, calluses, ingrown toenails, skin and nail diseases, deformed toes, and arch disabilities. If a person's feet show symptoms of medical disorders that affect other parts of the body (such as arthritis or diabetes), the podiatrist will refer the patient to a medical doctor while continuing to treat the patient's foot problem.
In the course of diagnosis, podiatrists may take x-rays and perform blood tests or other pathological tests. They perform surgery; fit corrective devices; and prescribe drugs, physical therapy, and proper shoes.
Most podiatrists provide all types of foot care, but some specialize in foot surgery, orthopedics (bone, muscle, and joint disorders), children's foot ailments, or foot problems of the elderly.
Some podiatrists purchase established practices or spend their early years in a salaried position while gaining experience and earning the money to set up their own practices. Podiatrists in full-time salaried positions usually work in hospitals, podiatric medical colleges, or for other podiatrists. Public health departments and the Veterans Administration also employ both full-time and part-time podiatrists, and some serve as commissioned officers in the armed forces.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Podiatrists work in all sections of the country but are usually found in or near one of the eight states—Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—that have colleges of podiatric medicine. These schools are accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.
Most podiatrists are in private practice, work about 40 hours a week, and set their own schedules. They also spend some hours handling the administration and paperwork of their practice. Podiatrists who work for hospitals or HMOs may be required to work nights or weekends. This is not physically strenuous work, a fact that allows practitioners in private practice to work past normal retirement age.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Anyone interested in a career as a podiatrist should have scientific aptitude, manual dexterity, and an ability to work with people.
High school courses in mathematics and science are important preparation.
The degree of doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) is available after successful completion of at least three years of college and four years of a school of podiatric medicine. Competition for entry in these schools is strong and, although three years of college is the minimum requirement, most successful applicants have a bachelor's degree and an overall grade-point average of "B" or better. College study must include courses in English, chemistry, biology or zoology, physics, and mathematics. All schools of podiatric medicine also require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The first two years in podiatry school are spent in classroom and laboratory study of anatomy, bacteriology, chemistry, pathology, physiology, pharmacology, and other basic sciences. In the final two years, students obtain clinical experience. Additional study and experience are necessary for practice in a specialty.
All podiatrists must be licensed. Requirements include graduation from an accredited college of podiatric medicine and passing grades on written and oral state board proficiency examinations. Many states also require a residency in a hospital or clinic. A majority of states grant licenses without examination to podiatrists licensed by another state.
Potential and Advancement
Employment in this field is expected to grow, and opportunities for graduates to establish new practices or enter salaried positions should be good through the years to come.
Increasing population, especially the growing number of older people who need foot care and who are covered by Medicare, will contribute to the demand for podiatrists.
Income
Most newly licensed podiatrists set up their own practices and, as in most new practices, earn a great deal less in the early years than they will after a few years in practice. As of 2012, podiatrists make, on average, $116,440.
Additional Sources of Information
- American Association of Colleges of Pediatric Medicine
- American Podiatric Medical Association
