The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

October 02, 2008 #3,363 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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OCPM Alum Wins Philatelist Writing Award

Steven J. Berlin, DPM, OCPM Class of ’66, was recently awarded the inaugural United States Stamp Society-Barbara R. Mueller Award for the best article published in a single year of The American Philatelist. Dr. Berlin and co-author James W. Milgram were recognized for their article titled, "Early Mail Robberies in the United States."

From Left, Barbara R. Mueller and Roger Brody of the US Stamp Society, James W. Milgram and Dr. Steven Berlin

The United States Stamp Society-Barbara R. Mueller Award consists of a $1,000 cash stipend and recognition on a permanent plaque to be displayed in the editorial office of The American Philatelist. Dr. Berlin and Dr. Milgram were honored in a ceremony at the StampShow 2008 Awards Banquet. Dr. Berlin has been a stamp collector for more than 50 years. He now has a major interest in interrupted and disaster mail.

Source: Footsteps (OCPM)

New Help-line Assists with Podiatric Residency Start-up and Expansion

Even with nearly 240 podiatric residency programs in the nation’s hospitals, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) believes that there is room for growth. Unlike allopathic and osteopathic residencies, podiatric residency programs are currently not capped for graduate medical education (GME) reimbursement.

To help facilitate expansion, APMA is offering members and their respective hospitals assistance in establishing residencies or expanding existing ones in concert with the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) and the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine’s Council of Teaching Hospitals (COTH). In an effort to simplify the process, the organizations have created a help-line, 1-800-372-0775, to assist individuals in the development of podiatric medical and surgical residency programs in their hospitals.

“In order to keep up with growing patient demand, we need to expand the number of new podiatric residencies offered to students,” said APMA President Ross Taubman, DPM. “Providing hospitals with tools, such as the help-line to make forming a new podiatric residency program easier, is a step in the right direction.”

More Health Plans Begin To Allow Medical Tourism

A "small but growing" number of employer-sponsored health plans have begun to allow members to seek medical care abroad, a practice called medical tourism, as part of an effort to reduce costs, The Wall Street Journal reports. Until recently, medical tourism for the most part involved U.S. residents who sought medical procedures not covered by their health insurance, such as cosmetic surgeries or dental procedures, or those who lacked coverage. However, some employer-sponsored health plans have begun to cover heart surgeries, hip and knee replacements and other major medical procedures performed at hospitals abroad.

According to the Journal, most plans offer "little incentive for workers to endure long flights overseas for treatment," as they "usually cover 100% of the cost of medical treatment once workers reach an out-of-pocket limit for co-insurance and co-payments." As a result, plans that allow members to seek medical care abroad often "throw in a bonus for employees if they agree to undergo elective surgeries abroad," agree to "split the cost savings between the employer and worker" or provide reimbursements for travel and accommodation costs, the Journal reports.

Source: The Wall Street Journal via American Health Line [9/30/08]

7 Steps to Responding to Criticism- Part 1

Share this process with your staff to increase everyone's ability to absorb and profit from corrective feedback

• 1. Listen carefully to what the patient is saying.
• 2. Repeat the criticism calmly and objectively, without defensiveness in your words, tone, or body language.
• 3. Acknowledge and clarify what you heard. Ask questions to draw out further comments.
• Thank the patient for offering feedback. Reaffirm your willingness to hear criticism and acknowledge the difficulty of offering critical comments.

Source: Adapted from TLC at Work: Training, Leading, Coaching All Types for Star Performance by Donna Dunning.

Query: HAV, Hammertoes, and Met Adductus

The x-ray I have attached is of a 44 y/o female with a hallux abducto valgus deformity, laterally deviated toes 2 and 3, with met adductus deformity with a narrow angle IM, and a short proximal phalanx of the hallux.

HAV with Met Adductus

I am seeking advice on how best to correct the bunion and 2/3 toe deformities (with the metatarsal deviation on 1,2,& 3). Would just an Austin bunionectomy and arthroplasty on toes 2&3 with K-wires be sufficient?

Joseph S Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL

Query: Talking Avatars for Podiatric Websites

Is anyone using SitePal -- a subscription, Internet service that allows you to add a fully-customizable speaking avatar to your Website? If so, are the benefits worth it?

Bob Levoy, Roslyn, NY

RE: Skin Discoloration Over Post-op Site (Josef Geldwert, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I had a patient present with a similar appearance 25 years ago. X-rays showed a loose screw in the 1st interspace. The then 65 y/o woman recalled that she had stepped on something sharp while playing barefoot at age 10. She thought it "fell out." It was removed under local anesthesia and was found to be discolored with a black (oxidation?) debris. The skin discoloration persisted for several years after which she was lost to follow-up. Perhaps Dr. Geldwert’s patient’s screws suffered the same fate though they shouldn't?

Ron Worley, DPM, San Diego, CA, drrdworley@yahoo.com

I have had this happen on a few occasions and it could be a reaction to the metal in the screw. Some patients have a reaction to various base metals and if I plan to use a fixation method which includes some of these (heat-activated compression staples, for example ) I give the patient a sample to tape to the inside of their upper arm for a week. If there is a reaction, then I choose another method.

Another possibility, which I myself had never thought of until it happened to me is the following: Do you skin scribe your incision line on the foot prior to surgery? If you do, make absolutely sure that you are using a skin marker designed for this. Some of the new markers have not only a skin marker but also an indelible permanent ink marker which is designed to write medications etc. down on the table. If you use this on the skin and cut through it, it will tattoo the patient permanently.

Ira Weiner, DPM, Las Vegas, NV, vegasfootdoc2005@yahoo.com

Dr. Geldwert presents an interesting sequela to foot surgery. It looks like it could be a thrombosed varix which may or may not be related to his surgery. If so, a simple excision solves the problem. I have seen several in my years of practice, although I can't recall one developing following surgery.

Michael Forman, DPM, Cleveland, OH, IM4MAN@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ILLINOIS

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ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA/DC SUBURB

Excellent associate practice opportunity leading to partnership for PSR 24-36 foot and ankle surgically-trained physician. Currently 4-doctor/2 office practice in fast-growing area, expanding to 5 doctors. Hard working, personable, highly-motivated individuals needed. Great opportunity with excellent salary and benefits. No nursing homes.Top hospitals. Fax CV with references to 703-491-9994

TIMESHARE – MOTIVATED SELLER

Golfer's paradise in Myrtle Beach, S. Carolina! Click here for details! Great for family vacations. Fixed deeded week. Beachfront resort, RCI Exchange, price reduced...DPM special...must sell! $13,500/or bo. Timeshare points also available. Contact footfixr@consolidated.net or 1-800-366-8397

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO -- NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CONNECTICUT

Full or part-time position available for a podiatrist licensed in CT. This practice encompasses wide variety of patients including Diabetic wound care and general podiatric care. Must be willing to cover all aspects of the practice including nursing homes and house calls. Please e-mail CV to RPMDPM@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to d-kitchens@footexperts.com

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