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.
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]