11/24/2023    

INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS

Aussie Med Assn Wants to Ban Podiatrists From Using Term "Surgeons"

 

Only two types of Australian health professionals are allowed to call themselves a surgeon – doctors and podiatrists. If the Australasian Medical Association (AMA) had its way, there would only be one. In a new submission to an independent review of podiatric surgeons, the medical association made its feelings known. “Podiatric surgery is the only form of human medical treatment where a person other than a doctor can take a scalpel and cut into a patient,” it said.

 

“Not only are they able to cut into a patient, a podiatric surgeon with no formal medical degree or surgical training (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons – FRACS or equivalent) can then operate on bones, tendons, joints, and undertake internal fixation with screws for example.” They can even do joint replacements, the AMA said, adding “on a human” in parentheses.

 

Source: Holly Payne, Medical Republic [11/24/23]