09/04/2013    Greg Aposperis, DPM

I Want to Work as a Podiatrist (Elliot Udell, DPM)

Dr. Udell asks how dentistry can have
subspecialties but podiatry has only talked
about it for 30 years. The answer is that,
according to government statistics, there are
191,941 dentists practicing in the U.S., as of
November, 2012.

Government stats also state there are
approximately 16,000+ podiatrists practicing in
the U.S. If this number is further divided, our
impact on foot health will be diminished.
Additionally, government stats note that
many "baby boomer podiatrists" will be retiring
just when the need for podiatrists increases
(based on projected population and medical
demands), just as the number of diabetics and
other medical conditions increase.

We cannot afford to splinter into smaller
specialty groups. In my opinion, the residency
requirements are excessive, with the exception
of procedures such as certain rear foot and
ankle surgery.

Lastly, it has been suggested that we should be
classified as having hospital privileges or not
based on such training--granting a limited
license. We are already a limited license
profession! I believe that many podiatrists can
easily qualify for performing procedures such as
hammertoes, bunionectomies, neuromas, etc.
Most hospitals grant privileges based on
training, the individuals qualifications, and
monitoring the individual, so why should WE
limit our colleagues? The answer can only be to
prevent competition. Yet, stats show that more
competition is not only good for the profession
but good for the patient as well.

Why not concentrate on producing well-trained
podiatrists who can expect to be licensed and
can practice once they have completed the
required training? I feel we must work to remove
the "black eye" to our profession caused by the
graduates who are left to flounder with a hard
earned degree.

Greg Aposperis, DPM, Santa Barbara, CA,
santabarbarafootclinic@yahoo.com

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