08/07/2015    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES)

RE: Pedorthists & Podiatrists Should Work Together: PA Podiatrist 

From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM

 

Dr. McGuire's comments are biased, and he is surely no more expert than podiatric colleagues who understand and apply biomechanics to podiatric conditions! Why would any podiatrist need the services of someone who could be only a high school graduate with 2-3 weeks of formal pedorthic education, unless the DPM does not feel competent? If the DPM can't get it right, how will someone with the most minimal of education, be able to do it better? I am not referring to just off-loading diabetic insoles, but the vast field of podiatric biomechanics applied to a solid podiatric sports medicine practice. Maybe a podiatrist who is not an athlete, him- or herself, has trouble applying functional orthotic therapy. But if that is the case, why not refer the patient to a podiatric colleague? Why not support our profession? 

 

What service would the CPed provide which would allow the DPM to pursue more "lucrative" services? I believe the scenario created by Dr. McGuire's rationalizations is going to lead to over-utilization, and is not in the best interest of professional podiatric patient care. 

 

Robert S. Steinberg, DPM,  Schaumburg, IL