Becoming a podiatrist: an exploration of the practices and processes

NewsBot · Oct 4, 2023

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Becoming a podiatrist: an exploration of the practices and processes which underpin the acquisition of a professional identity
Jane Tobbell & Peter Roberts
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research volume 16, Article number: 51 (2023)

Background
Undergraduate podiatry degrees are designed to enable students to become professional podiatrists. To be successful students must manage academic and practical activity to ultimately acquire a professional identity. Little is known about the practices and processes which underpin the acquisition of a professional podiatry identity. It is the aim of this paper to begin to address this absence of knowledge. Community of Practice theory, arguably the dominant contemporary learning theory, represents identity shift as an interaction of imagination, engagement and alignment which enables students to successfully participate in higher education, and ultimately, the professional context. This success is underpinned through assisting students to develop an enabling identity in their learning and doing.

Methods
Here we present findings that emerged from a yearlong ethnography in a successful higher education podiatry department. The project followed students and staff in the classroom and the clinic and explored their experiences through interviews.

Results
The findings suggest that the journey to professional identity is facilitated through meaningful learning relationships between staff and students and clarity around professional practices. Here we discuss how those relationships form and enable undergraduates to become podiatrists.

Conclusions
Our findings offer a model for the transition from student to professional and highlight the importance of relationship and experience in becoming a podiatrist. There is a paucity of research around not only podiatry but also other allied health professions around this topic and given the increasing emphasis around employability skills in HE, more research in a range of contexts is needed.
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NewsBot · Jan 16, 2024

Motivations for Pursuing a Career in Podiatric Medicine
Kevin C Trinh et al
J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2023 Nov-Dec;113(6):21-171

Background: Although podiatric medicine is a growing field, it is still relatively unknown to many in the general public, including those seeking careers in medicine. The purpose of the present study is to portray the perspectives of current podiatric medical students on motivational factors that encouraged them to pursue the field.

Methods: An online survey was developed and delivered to the student body of a single podiatric medical school. The survey investigated the motivation to pursue podiatric medicine, including first exposure to the field, shadowing experiences, and a variety of motivational factors.

Results: Of 149 students, 81 (54.4%) completed the survey. The three highest-rated reasons for pursuing podiatric medicine were "stable and secure future," "work-life balance," and "intellectual satisfaction." The three most-cited types of first exposure to podiatric medicine were "undergraduate pre-health advisor," "family member/friend is a podiatrist," and "form of media other than television, including the Internet." Shadowing experiences were identified as an important part of developing an interest in pursuing podiatric medicine, especially in the surgical setting.

Conclusions: Understanding the perspectives of current podiatric medical students is important in considering future efforts to promote the profession.
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