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What attracted you to the Podiatry Profession and dealing with feet daily?

Discussion in 'Break Room' started by ajs604, Jan 24, 2011.

  1. ajs604

    ajs604 Active Member


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    Hi all I just wanted to know why Podiatry appealed to you as a career?

    I often regularly get asked by my clients why did I decide to become a Podiatrist.

    At a young age I had never contemplated on the idea of a career with feet. Infect I had no idea what I wanted to do and was a drifter until applying for an access course at the age of 20. At this point I decided I wanted to become a Dr but never did well at school and despite gaining good results on an access course could still not get into med school. It was then that I considered Podiatry as a career & after some work expereince, a few months later found myself at uni. I think some of my reasons on becoming a Pod was because it was the only profession outside medicine & dentistry where health professionals could perform LA & minor surgery. I found this all very appealing! I remember when I first graduated I was brimming with excitement & even considered applying for the Pod surgery training. I am now very content just regular routine podiatry.


    Please discuss!
     
  2. Tkemp

    Tkemp Active Member

    I personally find feet fascinating, not in a fetish kind of way I'd like to add.
    I planned to enter Podiatry aged 18yrs but changed my mind last minute. A few years later I stopped and really thought things through and decided close my business and return to my initial interest of Podiatry, and have not looked back.

    They are often one of the most forgotten parts of the body, and many speak of them disparagingly "urgh feet... they're ugly... they're smelly...... etc etc", yet few stop and think of how much they do for us.

    We run, skip, jump, dance and many other activities that would be really hard without feet.
    Each foot contiains: 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles
    About 25% of all the bones in the body are in the feet. When these bones are out of alignment, so is the rest of the body. As Socrates once claimed "When our feet hurt, we hurt all over".

    Only a small percentage of people are born with foot problems. It's often due to neglect and lack of correct self-care that causes many of the problems we see and treat.
    Conditions such as: arthritis, diabetes, neurological and vascular disorders can show initial symptoms in the feet.

    I could go on and on, but I know I'm preaching to the choir. Yet, these are a few of the reasons I went into Podiatry and I continue to get great satisfaction watching clients walking out with less pain and greater mobility.
     
  3. Griff

    Griff Moderator

    PIss easy entry requirements sealed the deal for me...
     
  4. markjohconley

    markjohconley Well-Known Member

    ...i was told that the clients were mainly hot and loose women.... found out very soon the only 'hot' was their temper and 'loose' referred to their bladder/bowels (always keep the Glen20 at hand).....
    and don't forget the sesamoids Tkemp
     
  5. W J Liggins

    W J Liggins Well-Known Member

    Seriously?

    The last profession in the medical field which has independent right of diagnosis and treatment and very wide private practice. As time goes on in the UK and wider/full rights of prescription become available it will become even more interesting.

    All the best

    Bill
     
  6. :D LOL. Honesty is a wonderful thing.

    I think for me, aside from the entry requirements, I was attracted to the autonomy. As Bill says we enjoy diagnostic and clinical rights one rarely finds below a doctorate level course.

    There is a painful and touching story about how I had to treat my dear mums feet at 12 years old when she broke her leg and had massive cast rubs, and the memory stayed with me, gifting me with the desire to make a practical and immediate difference to peoples lives. But lest I be responsible for a gale of projectile vomiting across keyboards across the world I'll save that one for the patients.

    Truth is, I don't like being told what to do. And as an independant clinician, nobody can tell me what to do.
     
  7. W J Liggins

    W J Liggins Well-Known Member

    [Truth is, I don't like being told what to do. And as an independant clinician, nobody can tell me what to do. (RI)]


    You put it so much more succinctly than I, Rob!

    Bill
     
  8. Catfoot

    Catfoot Well-Known Member

    I failed 'o' - level Latin and so I couldn't get into Medical School.

    I failed 'o'- level German and so I couldn't get a place to study Zoology.

    I failed 'A' -level Physics and so I couldn't get a place to study Geology.

    I was running out of options - and "ologies" :D

    CF
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2011
  9. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Love people & have no aversion to feet.
     
  10. davidh

    davidh Podiatry Arena Veteran

    That's me.

    Plus - it was the late 60's - I was a weekend hippy,
    Bob Dylan/Cream/the Doors/Zappa/Pentangle.
    I had no ambitions, dad was a chiropodist, where else could I go?


    I learned to enjoy the job;).
     
  11. Griff

    Griff Moderator

    I love my job, and genuinely can't imagine doing anything else now. But would I have chosen Podiatry had I achieved 3 A's or B's at A-Level?? No. Would anyone? I doubt it.
     
  12. markjohconley

    markjohconley Well-Known Member

    You're right, Podiatry was my 6th attempt at uni, having missed vet science by 3 miserable marks (out of 500), and then dropping out of physio (twice), primary teaching, general science, and optometry .... please note I wasn't the 'mature' man that I am now!
     
  13. Tkemp

    Tkemp Active Member

    I did...... but as I'm frequently told, I am "very special" :rolleyes:
     
  14. Katerina13

    Katerina13 Welcome New Poster

    You all may find this super weird but it is meeting that will never be forgoten.
    I am entering my 3rd year in podiatry and 6 years ago in year 10 my mother pickedme up from scchool and says " I don't have time to drop you off home because I have a doctors appointment with my feet, it won't take long".
    We eneter the clinic and it was my mothers turn so she says " Stay here I'll be 30 minnutes" and the podiatrist says "It's ok let her come in so she isn't alone".

    The three girls enter the room so what mothers do ??? Start talking about their kids, and the podiatrist and I began talking about careers and in the mean time was watching what she was doing at my mothers feet, but what most triggered me was my podiatrist. You could say I fell in love with her first. A beautiful intelligent woman who is down to earth and is supporting a career that has only recently been discovered unlike Medicine from ancient times.

    That same week I have to find a job to do work experience with and so I asked her. And for one week from 6am - 5pm we were at the clinic together and it was the most amazing work experience ever.

    From then on I have been doing work experience with her, 6 ingrone toe nail surgeries together with I assisting her, and countless encounters with patients in her clinic. We have been best friends for 6 years as well and is a wonderful teacher who makes you think unlike university where they mostly give you the answers.

    :)
     
  15. markjohconley

    markjohconley Well-Known Member

    That's sick, counselling required!
     
  16. Tkemp

    Tkemp Active Member

    playing with scalpels is also a bonus :)
     
  17. SarahR

    SarahR Active Member

    My feet are truly messed up. I went to a Pod who didn't do a good job on my orthotics, my insurance had run out, and I was almost done University and needed a career. I figured I'd be able to do better than he could. Besides, working as a biology lab pipette monkey only pays $16 Canadian, and that wasn't going to pay off my school loans and feed me.

    It was either have them lopped off and replaced with graphite sprinting feet, or go to school to learn how to fix them myself. Of course I never thought of saving money and going elsewhere, no guarantees they'd do any better of a job, and I'd still need a career.

    So now my feet are fixed, I no longer want them to be surgically removed, and I pass on the pain reduction/elimination to others.

    I also like that I can do something for you NOW, not later on this month when the OR suite is free.

    AND the independence. Someone assumed I'd been a nurse before I did my schooling, not possible for me. I just can't take orders and carry them out. I'd be fired in a minute for telling docs off.

    Sarah
     
  18. suehoney1

    suehoney1 Welcome New Poster

    Well! What can I say?

    Money?
    Love of feet?

    None of those 2, In fact my twin sister is a podiatrist and recommended this as a career for me after I was made redundant as an engineer. I was very sceptical, All those feet!!!!! did not appeal!

    After shadowing her for a week I realised that this could be the career I was looking for. FEET became so much more than 'those things on the end of your legs'
    I realised how important it is to look after them and they can be the difference between being reliant on others or independant. So I have now started my training and am thoroughly enjoying it. Just to be able to 'make a difference' once I am qualified will give me great job satisfaction and I look forward to that day.

    Sue Honey
     
  19. Steve_Pribut

    Steve_Pribut Member

    I enjoy sports medicine, biomechanics, and surgery. Podiatry has many options and paths to choose. My college roommate's dad was a Podiatrist who spoke of the joys of the field for 4 years and convinced me to visit a podiatry college. I was impressed with what I saw and I'm happy to have chosen the path I did. Each day brings the satisfaction of being able to help people walk, run, move and especially to be able to continue participating in their sport or to return as quickly as possible. If you observe carefully and pay attention to the details, you'll see that there will be many things you'll be able to help your patients with. Most of us enjoy people and talking with people in addition to treating their ails. We generally find the time to do this whatever our schedule may look like.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2011
  20. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member


    Beyond all help I'm afraid ........................... :empathy:
     
  21. lauraevelynwilliams

    lauraevelynwilliams Welcome New Poster

    I have been a beauty therapist for the last 11 years and I about to go to university to start Podiatry. The main thing that attracted me to this profession is i already deal with the cosmacutical sid of it (making feet pretty lol) but i feel i cant look after the ones i have to refer. Also i used to work in a nursing home and certain instances that had occured there that made me interested in surgery and biomechanics of the foot and leg I am particularly looking forward to the podiatric surgery. Hope this helps :)
     
  22. gdenbyUK

    gdenbyUK Active Member

    I got 10 'O' levels and 4 'A's levels, also a class 2.1 degree in Computer Science, yet still I went for Podiatry and a second career in 2002! I wanted something caring and sharing, but definitely did NOT like the way they treat junior doctors in the NHS. Then there was the fact there's such a high attrition in the profession, the NHS actually pay all your tution fees and half of your living expenses... In that case I'll do feet, especially since I've been able to set-up my own private practice www.footwisepodiatry.co.uk !

    As for feet EVERY day - NO! I only want to be a Pod for 3 days a week, with alternatives such as part-time lecturing at the local Uni for the remainder. This keeps you fresh and cheerful. The most depressing thing was to meet private practice Pods on CPD courses - earning a fortune at 5.5 days per week, but looking terribly depressed!
     
  23. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Hi Gary,

    Love the website. Very informative & impressive. I like your no nonsense approach & robust schedule of charges.

    I do not chase the £ either & am finding my career choice to be perfect for me.

    I particularly like your decision to charge an additional fee for premium appts. I currently only open for one evening clinic + my usual 8am-12pm appointment times. I will certainly be re-evaluating in the near future.

    It certainly appears that you have carved an ideal career to a lifestyle which is harmonious & rewarding.

    Many thanks.

    Kind regards,

    Mandy.
     
  24. gdenbyUK

    gdenbyUK Active Member

    Hi Mandy,

    Thanks for your kind comments. I'm now into my sixth year as a rural pod practice, running with takings at £24K pa and a regular two days per week - not yet enough, but steady growth, 60% of new clients by word of mouth (it takes SO long...): 110 Northamptonshire villages within a 10 mile radius, plus some surprising clients travelling from surrounding towns of Banbury, Daventry and even Northampton (where 20+ pod practices!). It must be the service they receive (isn't 50% of private pod practice in actuality a good service, the other 50% being the hands-on stuff?)

    My Premium Sessions are on Friday evening and Saturday afternoons and do get some take-up, without any quibbles. I simply add £8 to the bill for out-of-hours. In contrast, have you ever called your local garage for an out-of-hours tow - I think they start with a £50 premium?

    To balance this, I offer 'Pensioner Specials' on Tuesdays ONLY, for those 60+ with simple nail care or a couple of corns that I can handle in a 20 minute session (includes ALL preparation, documentation, clearing-up and sterilisation). It's only a £1 pro-rata discount, but effective! These are very popular and ensures that most Tuesdays are full (and cost-effective). This leaves either Wed AM/PM and Fri PM for regular clients, depending upon demand. It also leaves Monday clear for Uni work (also all those late appointment bookings!), and Thursday clear for other employment activities.
     
  25. Lizzy1so

    Lizzy1so Active Member

    Ditto Twirly, great website Gary
     
  26. Ben Stasiak

    Ben Stasiak Member

    Podiarty was a career change for me. I started out in medical laboratory science (pathology) and although I did enjoy the bench work (and science), career wise there was no real future. I had never considered Podiatry at a younger age but given my science/health care background Podiatry suddenly became appealing! Overall the main appeal was direct patient contact and treatment versus being stuck behind the scenes like in pathology. The more I looked into the role of a Podiatrist the more keen I became! So back off to uni I went, and now as an 8th year Podiatrist I can say I have no regrets at all.....
     
  27. ajs604

    ajs604 Active Member

    I have to say I agree!! Not so good if you slip and cut yourself thank goodness only happended twice and thats when I was a student, touch wood:morning:
     
  28. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    netizens

    I blame my sister. She shared a flat with a couple of chiropody students and when I was on the look out for a job she suggested I train as a footman because as far as she could see, all podiatry students are mad. I really enjoyed being trained but I could not, in all honesty, concurr with my sibling - they are not all mad only some of them.

    I laughed my way through my training and now have the laughter lines to prove it.

    Whilst I retrained several times I was never far from podiatry one way or the other. Some of my best friends are foot people and now looking back on the whole experience I think I had a good grounding in training which held me in gread stead for a career in podiatry. I trained in Glasgow.

    Would I repeat it. Probably not but I am a little envious of new grads because I believe they have a more exciting future ahead.


    toeslayer
     
  29. Cameron

    Cameron Well-Known Member

    netizens

    Moons ago the Podiatry Dept at Curtin Univeristy (dead as the dodo, now) did collect stats on what attracted students to podiatry. The vast majority were on personal recomendation from practitioners. Either they knew a podiatrist (or were related to one), or had visited a podiatrists as a patient or spent some time in a practice prior to applying for a place at the university.

    We concluded practitoners were a good role model and promoted their profession well.

    Ironically about the same time there was an independent survey of practitoners in WA on attitudes to their jobs. The findings were staggering the vast majority had low self esteem and felt few people (clients or peers) appreciated them.

    We concluded some pods over sold what they did for a living (possibly as a defense mechanism), and disproportionatley influenced young students to choose podiatry as a vocation.

    Findings from new graduates surveys would also support a significant number of practitoners feel frustration at their vocational choice.

    Like everything else in life you need to come into thjis business with your eyes open.

    What say you ?
    toeslayer
     
  30. javierdelgado

    javierdelgado Active Member

    I had always found very interestig health field, and Podiatry gave the chance of receiving, diagnosing and treat all kind ot patologies in a part of the body.
    In Spain Podiatry was found a way of winning much money.
    Years ago it was more difficult to entry Podiatry than Medicine.
    We can prebscribe freely.
    Cheers.
     
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