07/12/2024    Steven Kravitz, DPM

RE: Podiatrists Treating Systemic Conditions Affecting the Foot ((Elliot Udell, DPM)

The ability for podiatrists to treat systemic
disease affecting lower extremity, especially the
leg and foot is generally accepted in the medical
community based on our current level of training.
The question pertains more to the point of the
amount of systemic treatment required by the
specific case.

Generally speaking, good quality practice requires
podiatrists to have good general knowledge of
systemic disease affecting the lower extremity.
This does not mean that we have to independently
treat these conditions. I generally referred
neuropathy, vascular disease, and similar cases to
appropriate specialists and generally, cases
requiring relatively simple treatment such as
various medication, etc. were referred back to me
to monitor and follow up. Podiatrists, as all
practicing physicians, are not necessarily required
to fully treat everything that walks in the door.

Cross referral is a common practice in all fields
of medicine. This allows the specialist to possibly
pick up conditions the original referring provider
(in this case the podiatrist) may have overlooked;
it provides opportunity to develop a relationship
between provider and specialist that allows patient
care to be referred on both sides of the aisle. It
allowed me opportunity to develop relationships
with the other physicians in our hospital that
otherwise may not have been able to do. Ultimately,
I became residency director, I had internal
medicine residents rotate through my practice,
emergency care, emergency room, --- cross referral
became the major practice builder for me.

I agree with Dr. Udell -- treatment of systemic
disease is based on the individual podiatrist
knowledge, skills and interests. But that does not
preclude the ability and the general practice of
referring to specialists as they will refer back to
you the conditions that fit your toolbox. Better
patient care and a practice builder -- what could
be a better scenario.

Steven Kravitz DPM, Winston-Salem NC area

There are no more messages in this thread.