From: Tilden H Sokoloff, MD, DPM
Dr. Throdoulou's assumptions that we are imposing on an entire profession are wrong! As a person who has spent part of my career as the chairman of podiatric surgery at CCPM, director of residency training, and author and lecturer, I cannot fathom or make sense out of those comments.
First and foremost, hospital privileges are awarded any physician who has the credentials he or she applies for. I have sat as chairman of surgery at a large California Hospital, chairman of the board of that hospital and chief of staff, all over many years. I am also an MD and understand the turfs of MD/DO/DPMs very well. I am trying to be respectful of your freedom of speech, but you are stepping on the future generations of DPMs whose training is far superior to yours or mine. With that being said, podiatric physicians are no different that an ENT, Derm, Gyn, plastic surgeon, general surgeon, etc.
Everyone is trained along core medical principles with three to six year residencies. We all settle into our professional roles. When times are urgent, we all have the ability, moral, ethical ability to help, such as perform a physical exam, triage, sew a wound, start an IV, medically manage patients, and yes; some just out of residency could intubate if needed, or squeeze an ambu bag, or place a nasal cannula. I could go on and on. Your response was inappropriate. I hope I have clarified my points on your post and just maybe help make you think in a different direction.
Tilden H Sokoloff, MD, DPM, Ketchum, ID
