06/26/2024    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRY AND SOCIAL MEDIA) - PART 1A

RE: APMA's Response to Egregious Messages from AMA (Paul Kesselman, DPM)

From: Elliot Udell, DPM

 

It is saddening to once again see some literature sanctioned by the American Medical Association which "smells" of prejudice. Having been in practice for over 40 years I still remember the not-good old days when podiatric surgeons were only allowed to do surgery in their offices, no matter how complicated the cases were. In my geographic area, we were lucky. There was an osteopathic hospital that allowed podiatrists to do surgery. At that time, osteopathic physicians were also at the receiving end of bias and prejudice. Misery likes company. Hence, Massapequa General Hospital was the only home for DOs and it welcomed podiatrists. 

 

Today, graduates of DO schools are treated on the same level as MDs and podiatrists are on the surgical staff of almost every hospital. This does not mean that for one minute we let our guards down. The ugly head of bias and prejudice can also come up.  Prejudice against DPMs is no different than any other form of bigotry and we need to be vigilant to prevent a return to the past. 

 

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY 

Other messages in this thread:

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06/25/2024    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRY AND SOCIAL MEDIA) - PART 1A

RE:  APMA's Response to Egregious Messages from AMA

From: Lee C. Rogers, DPM

 

I am confident that AMA will receive numerous responses from organizations and individuals regarding the recent statement criticizing the qualifications of podiatrists and our role in the healthcare team. Thus, I will not address all the misleading or inaccurate points in AMA's statement; instead, I simply urge AMA to be more professional and collegial in your future communications. The substance of AMA's statement is unbecoming of the AMA, a respected institution. Undoubtedly, these offensives threaten the collaborative relationship between the AMA and the APMA, in which we stand united on many issues for the benefit of patients and providers.

 

It is illogical to criticize podiatrists for not being MDs with a full scope of practice. Every specialist, including podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons, works with other medical professionals in a team approach to ensure that patients receive...

 

Editor's note: Dr. Rogers' extended-length can be read here.

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06/24/2024    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRY AND SOCIAL MEDIA) - PART 1A

RE: APMA's Response to Egregious Messages from AMA

From:  APMA

 

In a recent social media post, the AMA noted that "Most patients wrongly believe that podiatrists are physicians." APMA swiftly corrected the post via X and Facebook, and the APMA Board of Trustees is considering further action in response.

 

APMA's response pointed out that the federal government recognizes podiatrists as physicians and that podiatric physicians' education and training are equivalent to the education and training of MDs and DOs. The response also linked to an APMA infographic that compares DPM, MD, and DO education and training in detail. 

 

 Source: APMA News Brief [6/17/24]