The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

May 11, 2007 #2,934 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2007- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

AOFAS Board Approves Policy Statement on Podiatry

Last fall, leaders of the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) met together at the podiatry organization’s request. Discussion focused on podiatry education and training and on the established path to unrestricted licensure, i.e., medical school, USMLE, and residency training. The AMA’s follow-up letter advised the APMA to discuss podiatry education and training with the ACSME and ABMS, The AOFAS statement that follows is consistent with the dialogue with the APMA.

Position Statement: The AOFAS and Podiatry

1. The AOFAS believes that members of the podiatric community provide a valuable service when they function within their education and training.
2. The AOFAS believes that nationally recognized educational standards which are widely accepted by the medical profession are an essential means of educating and credentialing practitioners to provide safe and effective patient care. These standards are essential to maintain the public trust.
3. The AOFAS believes that au practitioners who provide surgical care should meet the uniform educational and training standards established by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). All foot and ankle care providers should be educated, trained and credentialed by the same standards as other medical and surgical specialties.
4. The AOFAS believes that separate and unequal credentialing and accreditation are not in the best interest of quality patient care.
5. The AOFAS believes that patient care would be best served it the podiatric community: a) prepares all podiatric students to take and pass the standardized U.S Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) at the completion of podiatry school, as is required of medical students; b) attains and maintains ACGME accreditation for all podiatric residency programs, and c) prepares and requires podiatric res dents to pass a certifying examination prepared by a member board of the ASMS.
6. The AOFAS is willing to assist regulatory and credentialing bodies to achieve these goals.
7. The AOFAS is willing to work with the podiatric community for the benefit of patient care.

AOFAS Board of Directors

Source: AOFAS Newsletter via Marque Allen, DPM

NY Podiatrists Meet With Legislators to Urge Scope of Practice Passage

More than 100 podiatrists descended on the State capital yesterday, meeting with virtually every State Senator and Assemblyperson to urge passage of the scope of practice bill. This legislation would permit treatment of conditions of the ankle and all the soft tissue structures below the knee governing the function of the foot and ankle.

All indications were that we were given a warm reception, and that the level of support continues to grow in the Legislature. The strategic plan is for podiatrists across the State to follow up with letters, phone calls, and meetings in the legislative district offices.

NY Podiatrist "Dr. Happy Feet" Throws Wild "Pitch"

A New York foot surgeon nicknamed "Dr. Happy Feet" is pitching a story on how European women are booking vacations in the U.S. so they can get their feet fixed up for summer. Podiatrist Stuart Mogul says, "My business from abroad has increased exponentially since the rise of the euro."

Dr. Stuart Mogul

He specifically suggests we profile a young London lawyer heading this way to have surgery on her hammertoes. Sorry, um, I think I have to cover someone's euro-financed root canal that day. Dr. Mogul is called "Dr. Happy Feet" because "happy feet make for happy people." How corn-y.

Source: Jane Wells, CNBC [5/8/07]

Query: Pulse Dosing Lamisil in Patient With Hepatitis

Is it considered within the standard of care to treat onychomycosis with pulse dose Lamisil in a 24 y/o female with a medical history of hepatitis A infection? Her LFT's are WNL.

James Clark, DPM, Salinas, CA

RE: Review Course for ABPS Oral Section (J. John Hoy, DPM)
From: Farshad Bathaee, DPM, Dwight Bates, DPM

I used the PRESENT lecture series to review for boards, which I passed. The fact that you can interact during the lectures and treat them as you would reading a review book is what made me do the studying. I also used the lecture series to help with CME credits. I think the series was well worth it.

Farshad Bathaee, DPM, Chantilly, VA, fbathaee@comcast.net

While it is not possible to pass the written portion of ABPS exam without knowing the material, it is very possible to fail the oral section despite knowing the material well. For the last 17 years, I have taught a review course in Dallas for the oral portion of the ABPS exam.

Dwight L. Bates, DPM, Dallas, TX, dlbateso4@yahoo.com

RE: Visit From Office of Professional Discipline (Name Withheld)
From: Richard W. Boone, Sr., Esq.

Please let me add my hearty AMEN to the excellent advice provided by our Learned Editor. I would also add that the advice should extend not only to any visit from a licensing agency but also to any inquiry from an insurance company about overpayment or from the Medicare Fraud and Abuse Gestapo about anything.

Unfortunately, these inquiries are always LEGAL matters and not merely medical matters. Knowing how to make the proper response and how to formulate that response requires LEGAL and not medical skills. This is a classical example of "having a fool for a client" when you try to represent yourself.

The problem with most of these administrative law proceedings is that, for all intents and purposes, you are considered guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Proving oneself innocent is a skill set not provided to podiatrists in their professional training. My file cabinets are full of instances of physicians who "didn't have anything to hide," (or so they thought), and merely "opened their files" to the investigator as a "gesture of good faith." When the investigator comes knocking at your door it's time to yell for help.

Protection such as that afforded by the New York State Association's program is available from a number of sources. PICA provides it free to policy holders and I'm told other insurance companies do as well. That coverage is at least as important as your liability insurance, in my humble opinion. The minimal charge for this coverage in New York is a bargain.

Richard W. Boone, Sr., Health Care Attorney, Fairfax, VA, RWBoone@aol.com

RE: Plaintiff's Expert Witness David Widom, DPM
From: Barry Mulln, DPM, Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM

Many podiatrists are members of the "boomer" generation. So it is likely that a large influx will be leaving the profession. I am retired too. Hopefully, retired podiatrists will have the intelligence and good sense NOT to testify in matters of "Standard of Care." Why not?

Because standard of care changes. As a retired doctor, you will not be expected to be an expert, nor should you consider yourself one, on that issue. A number of well-qualified, highly-trained doctors will be "looking" for something to keep themselves "busy" during retirement. Retired podiatrists are like everyone else, as you approach it. You need to find ways to keep your mind and body occupied in healthy ways that don't do damage to other people.

I am deeply saddened that Dr. Widom put himself into a position of enforcing his lapsed training on others. I hope he reads this letter and can find (other) productive ways to live his life. It will be a favor to those who will be damaged by him, should he continue.

Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM, San Jose, CA, ROSEY1@prodigy.net

Besides the fact that the testifying podiatrist was clearly not qualified to render an "expert" opinion regarding a procedure he had no personal experience with, proved via testimony that he had little knowledge of the local surgical anatomy, hasn't actively practiced in more than 5 years, and doesn't possess professional credentials commensurate with certification in either of the two recognized podiatric boards, one major question begs....how in god's name does he ever qualify as an expert witness in the first place?

Defendants like this, who are not qualified to render expert opinions, and more profoundly provide incredulous testimony like this, MUST face punitive repercussions. Since the "gentleman" is retired, and therefore not subject to professional licensing censorship, he should at least a) be eliminated from the "expert witness" pool and b) be forced to return his fees to the malpractice carrier who was forced to defend this merit-less case. Those fees could be used in some capacity by the carrier to educate podiatrists how to avoid becoming easy targets for ambulance chasing attorneys like this one.

Likewise, why should the plaintiff's attorney be allowed to carry on with business as usual, waiting for the next nuisance case to come along, hoping for a quick settlement, go unpunished? Again, another example of why peer review of expert witness testimony and ambulance chasing attorneys is paramount in determining the merit of one's case and his/her expert witness' testimony. That same peer review group should be empowered by the court system to levy the appropriate sanctions when medical malpractice ethics are breached.

Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, YAZY630@aol.com

Editor's note: The complete text of this shortened letter appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=14006&start=1

RE: Ethics of Dealing With Impaired Partner (Editor’s Comment)
From: Allen Jacobs, DPM

It has been interesting to note the expressed ethical considerations put forth by PM readers on this issue. What about colleagues who perform unnecessary surgery, or surgery beyond the scope of their training? Do PM readers share the same passion to report or otherwise intervene in such cases? I suspect selected ethical enforcement is at play here.

Allen Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO, allenthepod@sbcglobal.net

Editor's note: This topic is now closed.

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

POSITION AVAILABLE - METRO DETROIT

Looking for podiatrist to do podiatric house calls for multispecialty group. Large patient base. Part-time. Can make up own hours. Fax CV with salary expectations to (248) 723-8807.

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City. Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Beech Tree Podiatry Immediate opening for surgical and /or non-surgical podiatrist. Thirty-two year practice with full spectrum of patient care. Hospital/Surgical Center privileges available. Excellent benefits. Looking for motivated, personable podiatrist. Please fax CV to 717.854.6519 or e-mail Beechtreepod@aol.com

FREE MTI VACUUM UNITS TO WORTHY HOME

I have 2 new in the box MTI nail vacuums that I would like to donate to charity clinics. Buyer pays UPS shipping only or can pick up at my office. Ken Malkin, DPM, drmedicare@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN KENTUCKY

Southern Kentucky's largest and most respected foot and ankle group is looking for an associate to start in July 07. An amazing opportunity to grow with an established four provider practice on beautiful Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Very competitive salary/bonus with a buy in opportunity will be offered. Established satellite offices will make for immediate patient base ready to be nourished and grown by a friendly, well-trained associate. Excellent benefit package. Lexington, KK is 1.5 hours North while Nashville, Tennessee is 2.5 hours South. Please fax CV to 606-679-4626.

ASSOCIATE POSITION- KNOXVILLE, TN

PT/FT, multiple positions to fill, surgically and non-surgically trained, immediate and in near future. State-of-the-art facilities with in office surgical suites as well as full privileges at all area hospitals. Area nationally ranked as fifth best place to live and work. davidphawk@adelphia.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BOSTON, MA

20 year old, well established, modern practice with 2 locations just out of Boston, looking for associate, P/T or F/T, motivated 24/36 trained or ABPS-Certified or eligible to start immediately. Strong surgically-based practice. Looking for motivated individual, able to practice all facets of podiatry practiced. Electronic scanning for orthotics and voice activated EMR already in office. Fax CV to (617) 567-0822

ASSOCIATE POSITION WANTED -SOUTHEAST

Board Certified PSR/36 trained in FF/RF with clinical experience looking for a practice opportunity in the South East. Ethical, well trained with great bedside manners. Looking to join a large multispecialty group or a practice with a large referral base. Practice must be ethical and well respected in the community. Please contact flyfishingdoc@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION AZ - METRO PHOENIX

Busy expanding practice seeking surgical and/or non-surgical podiatrist. F/T or P/T. Motivated, personable, ethical. Send CV along with salary expectations to email dpmpcaz@yahoo.com

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established practice in Mt. Airy, NC that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away, leaving approximately 3,500 patients. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in a busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for only $85

PM Classified Ads Reach over 9,500 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 9,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.