Return to podiatry....?

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After years wondering in the non podiatry wildness, I am contemplating a return. As pointed out in various other posts ,podiatry offers flexible hours, self employment and good a chance of creating a daily positive outcome on peoples life. However I still have some lingering hesitations about the final step. Can someone enlighten me on how they cope with the day to day, sometimes demeaning and repetive nature of podiatry at times and what they do too overcome this....?

 

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A student explained to me yesterday that he had been satisfied with a placement he had just finished with a particular podiatrist, because they did a lot of varied work (orthotics, diabetes, minor surgery, elderly care). This was in contrast to an earlier placement he had done with a podiatrist that just provided nail and skin treatments - which he found disheartening and boring. The student thought that the podiatrist he had spent time with most recently had "more interesting" patients.

I quickly begged to differ with him. The podiatrist he had enjoyed spending time with was probably seeing *exactly* the same patient demographics, it is just that he/she was *seeing* more foot pathology and offering a wider scope of service. Simple as that. If you only feel comfortable with basic chiropody care - that is all you will end up doing.

My point - stretch yourself. You have the scope to do a range of mechanical, surgical, physical and pharmaceutical treatments - learn to be competent in everything, from toddlers to grandparents. Learn about foot surgery, podopaedicatrics, sports medicine - a little of everything I say! A varied day is an interesting day at the coalface.

Only then will your eyes be *open*, and you will see the vast range of foot pathology other than the presenting issue.

 

Your attitude to what you find "demeaning" may be part of your problem.....I am not particularloy religious but was Christ demeaned by washing somebodies feet? It is attitudes that count. If you are treated poorly by the people you are doing things for you can refuse to treat...but I prefer to point out that the small "ignoble" tasks associated with foot care are in fact crucial to the ongoing independant living of frail elderly folks.
The most "demeaned" I ever find myself ,is usually in the behaviour of other health professionals who are convinced that all I can do is cut toe nails..(a relatively low value task)...it's their ignorance thats the problem...and it's their problem not mine.....I have plenty of ambassadors out their for the wide scope of and great relief possible through podiatry.
Regards Phill

All this does not stop me working three different jobs every week as well as locuming all over town when I am not teaching...I don't get bored...but I have done a lot of different things in my life already and these won't be the end of it I'm sure.
Regards Phill Carter

 

Thanks you both for your replies, I will take this on board. Im afraid early exposure to poor employement choices out of uni, contributed to my feelings towards the profession for many years.

Cheers

Camo

 

One of the big problems in the profession at the moment is the shortage of Podiatrists in Australia. I can't recall what the mean longevity in the profession is, but its not long (lots of drop outs). It would be easy to solve the problem if that mean could be increased by just one year, but you have alluded to one of my pet theories: the amount of time a podiatrist stays in the profession is inversely proportional to the quality of the first job .... the paradox is that the very people who are providing those first up poor quality experiences for new grads are now the very ones complaining the loudest about the shortage .... don't figure

 

I think it depends very much on the individual...I was 39 when I registered and intentionally went out locumming...25+ different clinics over a few years...very varied but it kept my learning curve steep...learning about the profession not just about clinical practice...I don't think there's too many folks around who would have worked in more places in Melbourne in the last 5-6 years.
I believe any experience is good experience as long as you learn from it.
Business wise there seem to be a lot of people out there happy to take advantage of you if you'll let them...my problem seems to be that I am a little prone to letting that happen...a bit....but I'm learning.
This profession is the easiest way to earn a living that I have tried, and I've done a lot of things....so many different areas to work in if you take the time to learn the skills.
Work for yourself...make your own rules..the investment in your own equipment is so low really. Shooting fish in a barrel to some extent...just keep doing the right thing and you'll always be busy.
Regards Phill

 

This is a great profession.There is nothing demeaning about providing foot care,routine or otherwise to folks who really need it.The other day,I had a 42 yr old lady with a Charcot foot and 2 ulcerations on the foot.I took 45 minutes with this lady.I can see that she liked the treatment I provided.If I can save her foot(she has already had 3 toes amputated on that foot) and give her a good quality of life,I'll feel like I've done my job.Just today,the assistant to the dentist in the office(multispecialty) where I work had 2 painful ingrown toenails.I applied ethyl chloride and debrided the borders.She said she felt better.If you are willing to do what you are capable of AND THEN SOME,I believe you will enjoy it.Also:read and stay on top of things.

 

I have a previous history in the financial profession, sitting behind a desk with no patient contact. Just being able to chat to someone, hear their problems and do your best to make them happy is very rewarding. This applies both to simple palliative care AND surgical or biomech care. As long as they are satisfied, I am satisfied.

 

Looking good

Hi Camo,

I've been a Pod for about 9 years and have ebbed and flowed in my feelings for the profession. I started out working with a very well known firm and thought I'd landed my dream job - only to be given the general footcare and find out that my bookings were actually changed to give the owner the biomech. patients. Feeling dishearted I took off O/S and thought of many new business ventures that did not involve feet. Came home and began in com. health at a centre that really only saw us as "pedicurists" and were very unsupportive of increasing our patient variety. Decided to quit and go into private practice for myself. In between I had a few jobs where I really felt like I was just there to see the overeflow of patients and make money for the Pod. Now 9 years later, I work for myself and see the great potential of Podaitry. LucyLisfrank is right - it is exactly what we make of it, and it's all too easy to get stauck doing the day to day grind. If you are looking for some stimulating part time work, I may be able to help you.

Cheers
emoclew

 

Thanks for the response emoclew, your sediments and experiences are very much like my own when I left for overseas. It’s encouraging and inspiring to hear that it worked out in the end. It certainly has taken out some of the intrepidation I had about entering the profession again.