I agree with Dr. Udell, a PA degree will not make us a better podiatrist. The million dollar question is if the PA degree will allow better reimbursement from insurance companies who discriminate against podiatrists with lower reimbursements for the same services provided by an MD. It would also allow for a greater scope of practice in those states that limit podiatrists to the foot but not ankle.
John Moglia, DPM, Berkeley Hts. NJ
I’m not sure what the controversy would be in a podiatrist obtaining additional training or degrees. I see no negatives but a number of positives. In my state, PAs can see patients independently, even opening their own practices. For a podiatrist, this would mean being able to do their own H&P on their healthy patients, bypassing the need for shuffling to other providers. Even though orthopedics can do their own H&P, they often refer the pre-operative patient with comorbidities to primary care for clearance.
It’s really a travesty that we podiatrists cannot administer the simplest of injections if it isn’t in the foot, or in my state, even trim a fingernail. We would still need MD or DO oversight with the PA degree, but that is easily accomplished. We would no longer have to practice below anatomic structures for simple treatment of wounds, contusions, or sprains to name a few. If I had to venture a guess, an advanced degree would be seen as detrimental to the podiatric powers that be, who rely on contributions to drive the endless legislative fights. The advanced degree would negate that need.
Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA
