UK Centres of Excellence for Podiatry Training and Practice?

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Hi,

I currently work as a massage therapist but intend to return to college to train in Podiatry next Autumn.

Are there any recognised centres of excellence (even perhaps recognised informally) within the UK? I am based in the North East of England so Newcastle, Durham and Teeside are all within easy reach.

My interest in podiatry has arisen from the large numbers of foot and ankle problems that I am asked to treat and not having the expertise to address them.

Thanks for any input.

Jon.

 

Jon, Schools of podiatry are only as good as the staff working there at that time. As such, "the best school" varies with time as staff move in and out. Obviously, some schools will be stronger in one area of podiatry than another depending on the staffing. I suspect, given your background, you'll be drawn more toward biomechanics. Ultimately it's your choice, but when you go for interview make sure you interview them too. For example, what research are the staff involved in? How many staff have PhD's, masters degrees etc.. Good luck, hope you enjoy it.

Cheers,
Simon
Ex head of school Plymouth

 

Thanks Simon,

Yes biomechanics would definitely be a major area of interest. As would evidence based approaches to manipulation. My first degree (physiology) was many moons ago and I'm not so confident my brain still works (I often can't even recall where I've left my car keys!). But I'm looking forward to returning to study.

I'm learning a lot just from frequenting this forum (my goal is to have a reasonable level of knowledge by the time I start the course) - any recommendations on preparing myself so I hit the ground running on day 1?

Cheers

Jon.

 

Anatomy and physiology.

 

Hi i am a current 3rd year student at northampton

Yes a brief knowledge of anatomy and phys will definatly help but dont worry too much about it.

As for the biomech side of things, i could not recommend nortampton enough, i may be biased but after speaking to students from brighton, UEL and huddersfield i believe we are the only current school offering clinics in peads and sports (according to my lectures)

The lecturing staff at northampton are very comprehensive, just had a couple of lectures receive fellowships for their work

I would recommend going to look at the schools and speak to the lectures and see if you can come spend a day at the schools clinic to she what it is like.

hope this helps alittle

nick

 

Durham seems to suffer from one of teachings biggest problems, that being they recruit 3rd Year students to teach next year.

I have met students and lecturers from "other" colleges, and have been impressed with them.

Most of my musculoskeletal knowledge I picked up after leaving Durham.

 

Thanks Nick - sounds like you've got a good one there!

Peter - cheers. I'm shocked that they recruit such recent graduates to teach the next year. When I finished my first degree I couldn't have even conceived of teaching straight afterwards. I doubt Durham's going to be top of my list then!

Jon.

 

Hi Jon,

I would agree with Simon's earlier post, particularly anatomy. It is worth worrying about, because you'll get so muchmore out of your degree.

Few words of advice:
ANATOMY, ANATOMY, ANATOMY. You can never know it too well, ever. And while other students are trying to get their heads around it, you can be thinking at a deeper level of how and why it matters, what you can do to maniupulate it's function. We are, after all, funtional anatomists.

Invest in good texts, 'there is no budget limit': Few great faves of mine that I still regularly dip into:
*Bruckner & Khan, "Clinical Sports Medicine". McGraw Hill. I've got 2nd ed, but see if there's a new one now. Says sports, but relevant to anyone who is ambulant (that covers most patients)
*Moore & Dalley "CLinical Oriented Anatomy" 5th ed. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
*Michaud, T "Foot orthoses and other forms of conservative care" Self published. try Amazon or Equus Medical (based in Australia - pretty much just does pod texts, and all are reviewed). Can be a bit heavy, BUT worth it's wait in gold. Especially the section on the minimum ranges of motion required for uncomensated gait.

Good luck!

 

Hi Jon
Although the school may play a part, mostly your achievements will be enhanced by your committment and hard work. Lots of Podiatry comes together when you start practising. I have worked over the last 27 years with people who trained at all the schools and as 'newbies' they were all much the same. The result 5 years hence is what they make themselves. The study never ends............