11/19/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (SOCIAL MEDIA)

RE: Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group on Facebook (William Beaton, DPM)

From: Elliot Udell, DPM

 

Thank you, Dr. Beaton, for bringing this online support group to our attention. We should all visit it. Many healthcare professionals are upset when laypersons give medical advice on internet support groups. One reason why these support groups have gained popularity is that many doctors fail to communicate effectively with their patients, and the busier they are, the worse this problem becomes. I have chronic medical issues. 

 

Recently, I was prescribed a medication. The paperwork that came with the drug indicated that there might be contraindications with other meds I was taking, as well as untoward side-effects. The nurse at the drug company told me not to take the medication until I discuss it with my doctor. I called to speak with the specialist and was told that I would have to make an appointment to talk with either the doctor or his NP, which would amount to a three-month wait. I realized that the days are gone when all doctors promptly returned telephone calls. I visited a Facebook group on that drug and read how others handled the problem and acted accordingly. Welcome to the practice of medicine 2025.

 

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY 

Other messages in this thread:

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11/21/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (SOCIAL MEDIA)

RE: Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group on Facebook (Elliot Udell, DPM)

From: Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH

 

I had a patient tell me yesterday that the wait to see a specialist doctor on referral in her health plan was on average 6 months. This is really terrible. That is why my concierge practice continues to grow and thrive and I am sure will be exceptional when my son takes over in a few years.

 

Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA

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11/18/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (SOCIAL MEDIA)

RE: Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group on Facebook

From: William Beaton, DPM

 

I have been following the Plantar Fasciitis Talk and Tips Support Group on Facebook for quite some time and have been amazed as to just how much confusion there is around the treatment of the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. It seems as though most of the posters are self-treating with what they can find on Google either before seeing a podiatrist or after failed treatment by a podiatrist or other provider. When the underlying biomechanical malalignment is not addressed, the symptoms will continue to recur as confirmed by the many posts and many of these are less than complementary about podiatrists and their care.

 

If you are not following this group, I suggest that you do in order to get a feeling of the patient frustration and attitude toward podiatry regarding the treatments and results of our professional care.

 

William Beaton, DPM, Saint Petersburg, FL