Dr Podiatrist?

What Adrian said!

 

netizens

An interesting topic and one which obviously brings many perspectives to the table.

I have been asked by an interested colleague to enquire what authority at present confers the "professional" doctorate. As he has pointed out whilst Registration Boards may recognise the use of the title (based on their agreed minimum criteria) by pods, the baseline is unless the qualification is conferred by a recognised source, such as a university or professional association, the title holds no meaning.

Under these circumstances critics of self-engrandesment may be construed as misrepresentation by the public.

What say you?

toeslayer

 

Toeslayer

By "professional" doctorate - I assume you don't mean a university Prof Doc - but where a profession might choose to adopt the title.

As far as I am aware, and of which I am fairly certain, there is no statutory body that is involved in conferring the title. It is all down to legislation and protection of title.

For instance, here in Qld, any member of the public may use the title of 'surgeon' or 'Dr' - providing they are not holding out to be a dentist, medical practitioner etc. (eg a 'tree surgeon'). However, specific provisions in the Medical Act prevent any other registered health professional from doing the same.

So, it all about protectionism within specific pieces of legislation - typically the medical acts around the country.

LL

 

Hi Adrian,

Great post! In reply to a few of your points:

Yes, the degrees of these courses are the same length as podiatry, however the scope of their practice does not encompass; administration of LA, or surgical procedures, as podiatry does. When I discuss with people that this is a part of podiatry, they often are surprised that we are "able to do this without being a Dr".

-

Absolutely support this. I think it is all to easy for podiatrists (as things are at present) to come out of uni, fail to continue developing any knowledge and skills and become caught in 'old habits'. Which can not only give a poor reflection of themselves but of podiatry as a profession.

I hope nobody is getting annoyed either! This is an issue that needs to be discussed, and I am enjoying the various opinions

 

LL

Sorry for any confusion and I mean professional title as opposed to those conferred by universities (acadmic or professional).

I also concur with you on the need for Acts to change before the Doctor of Podiatry title can become acceptable nationwide. I think also we may assume any change in title would necessitate a radical reshake of the present post basic training and compulsary CPD with even the spectre of re-registration on a bi or tri-annual basis. Brave new world which would require a lot more dollars and cents being spent by practitioners, keeping up.

The profession is currently a sleeping tiger with the vast majority of its membership apathetic to compulsary CPD. On cannot help wonder what the changes in title might bring. Who knows what lies in Pandora's Box?

Good to chew the fat

Cheers
toeslayer

 

Hi Toeslayer,

Just thought you should be made aware of the situation here in the UK in relation to things like compulsary CPD and re- regristration. As far as I am aware, and I am no expert on these things, if you belong to the health Professions Council, and lets face it , if you are in practice you must belong to the HPC, otherwise it is illegal to use the title of podiatrist/chiropodist or anything else, you are expected to gain so many CPD points per year if you wish to remain registered :boohoo:

Although I qualified some time ago, I continue to study the discipline of podiatric medicine. It is my opinion that irrespective of the time spent on study, no one can honestly say they know all there is to know, the subject is too vast, it reminds me of a friend I studied with while at university. We would say that once we had graduated, we will have to start to study podiatry. I did'nt know it then but that was so true !!

I suppose podiatry in Ozz is a little different to podiatry in the UK although I always assumed it was very much the same animal :morning:

 

Geoff

>I suppose podiatry in Ozz is a little different to podiatry in the UK although I always assumed it was very much the same animal

No difference at all. There is a significantly smaller public sector presence compared to the UK but otherwise education and scope of practice is exactly the same.

if you are in practice you must belong to the HPC, otherwise it is illegal to use the title of podiatrist/chiropodist or anything else, you are expected to gain so many CPD points per year if you wish to remain registered

Being a peripetetic educator I work in different countries and was in the UK in 2005. I was a member of HPC and have first hand knowledge of the system. In terms of CPD in Australia (and maybe New Zealand), CPD is not yet compulsary albeit the professional association (equivalent to the UK Society) do offer excellent programs which only a few pods take up. At least one State (ie WA) does have compulsory CPD for the professional association but they are (and I stand to be corrected) the only one. Membership of the professional association across Australia (including WA) has fallen over the last decade and subsequently a significant number of pods now have no need to undertake formal CPD. Some will pursue individual endevours but are under no obligation to do so. State Registrants will have to have some requisite training requirement in first aid to register, otherwise at present ther is no further requirement.

Current changes to legislation here will likely result in compulsary CDP but whilst most will welcome this it is likely to meet some resistance on the way and from a sector of the profession who may argue, can least afford it.

Cheers:drinks
toeslayer








Although I qualified some time ago, I continue to study the discipline of podiatric medicine. It is my opinion that irrespective of the time spent on study, no one can honestly say they know all there is to know, the subject is too vast, it reminds me of a friend I studied with while at university. We would say that once we had graduated, we will have to start to study podiatry. I did'nt know it then but that was so true !!

 

Thanks for the post Adrian. It’s great to see so many people giving their valued opinion on the matter. And in the hope of not ostracizing myself or stepping on anyone’s toes (excuse the pun) im going to give my thoughts on the issue........

I do think that we differ greatly from a few of the abovementioned professions.
You're right in the sense that nursing and Occupational Therapy courses are similar in LENGTH of training when compared to Podiatry, however, THEY DIFFER GREATLY with regards to the level of specific training and course content.
Looking at a nursing course for instance; it has long been established they work alongside Medical Practitioners and so their level and course content reflects that. They spend 3 years learning the skill of aiding Medical Practitioners. They, by no means (and this goes for OT's and Music therapists), go in to detail with regards to diagnosing and treating medical pathologies using surgical and medical modalities. They do not have the autonomy that other medical professionals have. They are not primary health care providers. They all play very important roles in our health care system, but i would be hard pressed to compare the above professions to Podiatry. They are just not the same, on many levels.

Physiotherapists and Psychologists, like Podiatrists, can and do work autonomously. And to the best of my knowledge, both physio's and psychologists are lobbying for prescribing rights and other things relevant to their respective professions ........and one thread on this discussion mentioned that physio's will be using the title Dr soon.
The fact that Podiatrists diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate pathologies autonomously using surgical and medical modalities puts us in a different category.
There is no denying the fact that better educational standards and continuing education are important facets of any health profession, but just because we don't have a national continuing education program does not mean we are no less qualified in foot health and by no means limits the use of the title to those who do.
At the end of the day we do 3-4 years (4 years at all uni's offering podiatry across the nation now) of intense study on a very specific part of the body (i finished a three year degree.....and one of our lecturers made it very clear that at the time we did more pharmacology and anatomy within our course when compared to the MEDICAL STUDENTS ENITRE 6 YEAR COURSE).
I don't necessarily think that a masters or PhD is the answer to our problem when it comes to title for two main reasons.
1. No other profession (with the exception of Osteopathy) currently using the title is required a higher level qualification to employ it. Dentists, Chiropractors, Vet's, and Medical practitioners are all able to (and most do) use it without even having to do an honors degree let alone a masters or PhD.
2. With all due respect to those of us who hold a higher degree (with the exception of Master by course work), a masters or PhD does not qualify a person in every aspect of clinical podiatry. They are experts in their field of research. Just to illustrate my point, hypothetically speaking: I am a fresh graduate, instead of going in to clinical work i decide to continue my education with an honors degree in some biomechanical field and following my honors degree i decide to do my PhD researching first ray function (or something similar)........ I have become an expert in the field but no more so an expert in general clinical podiatry than my colleagues. In fact, my colleagues, probably have a little more clinical experience in the broader areas of Podiatry than i do.

I think we have proved that we are worth using the title. We are university educated health professionals. We treat, very successfully, pathologies of the foot day in day out using surgical (one of only three professions allowed to do so. Dentists and medical practitioners being the other two) and medical modalities. And we are the first in foot health.

I hope i haven't annoyed or offended anyone..................or bored them to death.

Happy posting,

 

:good:
Fantastic post, Sal! I totally agree!!
Great to hear everyone's views on the matter!! Keep it up!!
Happy Posting!

 

Spot on.

 

Hi Sal
Once again you have voiced the opinion of the unheared majority (anyway in my humble opinion)

Great discusion one and all, keep going:drinks

 

Thank you both, Atlas and Geoff.

Cheers,
Sal

 

Thank you little sesimod
Cheers,
Sal

 

G'Day Sal,

Thanks for the input, and certainly no toes have been stepped on! I do agree that we do demonstrate an autonomy as a primary health priovider that is far surperior to some of the other health providers, and certainly speacilists at what we do. Unfortunately though, due to the lack of prssure for ongoing education, there are many of us out there who fall into the trap of working in private practice, cutting toenails all day, issuing the occasional orthotic and getting paid quite well to do do, with no commitment or real necessity for continuing education. I'd like to hope that we are moving away from this, but it is going on. I think that we as a profession need to really concrete ourselves in what we do, and make our selves recognised as the autonomous health specialists that we are before we can even contemplate wanting to elevate ourselves further with the use of the Dr. title. Doctors can do our podiatric medicine, physios can do our biomechanics and nurses can do our nail cutting, but we need to demonstrate that we as a profession have a dedication to foot care that is unparralled. This is why I'm suggesting that the use of the title is better for those who have demonstrated this with further study, perhaps even as another tiere within the profession (Podiatric Physician anybody??). Just for the record, I completed my masters degree by coursework, and still don't think that I should, or really want to use the Dr. title. After all, it's just a couple of letters, doesn't change what we do.

Cheers!!

 

No disrespect Adrian, but if it is simply just a couple of letters and did not change anything you do - then why did you do it?

 

Why do people do what they do ?

I am a jobbing educator/podiatrist (not a career person), so I have a collection of post basic and higher education qualifications which allowed me to (hopefully) complete my work better informed than I might have been had I not undertaken further study. I have no idea whether I did my job better or not, but I did feel more able to complete the tasks and reflect on the experience because of the further study. These qualifiactions are diverse and although they have equivolence, there is no focal title. To me the letters hold no particular value by themself, so to that effect I do have sympathy with Adrian.

This situation is sometimes difficult to reconcile with career academics who have taken another route by chosing to achieve qualifications which by themself are intellectually satisfying and a means to other things. Here title and letters do make a difference so that effect I do concurr with Paul.

toeslayer

 

The couple of letters I was refering to was the Dr. title. I undertook the masters to be better at what I do, to develop my understanding of what I do, to challenge myself and to offer the best I can to my patients. Thats why I undertook my masters, not for a couple of letter at the start or end of my name. Post grad study is not about looking good, it's about trying to make a difference in your field of knowledge, be it podiatry, buisness, law, teaching, whatever.

 

Ah ok excellent thanks for clearing that up - it is not the way it comes across in your original post.

:morning:

 

No worries Paul!

Honestly, anyone who gets involved here on Podiatry Arena in a positive and educative light is demonstrating a want to further their knowledge, and is taking steps to be a better podiatrist and exhibit better knowledge for the sake of their patients.

I believe all aspects of life are about who we are, not what we are.

Cheers!

:morning:

 

G'Day Adrian,

Im not sure i quite understand. But just to clarify............did you mean doc's can do our medicine, Physio's can do our biomechanics, and nurses can do our nail cutting as it stands now, without any further education? Or do you mean if they had it in their training then they'd be they'd be able to do it?

Sorry, but just needed some clarification.
And thanks for the posts. They are all valuable and informative.
Cheers
Sal

 

G'Day Sal,

I'm refering to a combnation of both. Physiotherapists and chiropractors are being consulted for ankle and foot injuries, and are treating them and even issuing prefabribcated orthoses, and this trend will only continue in the future. Dermatology, soft tissue excision and ingrown nails are still and have traditionally been treated by doctors, and nurses (along with foot care assistants) are capable to cut nails with some further training. Essentially what we do is being overlapped, and can become moreso as other profesons expand their field of practice. Potentially a scary idea for podiatrists!

Thanks for the great discussionon this topic!:drinks:

 

Sal

There is no doubt of this.

Fortunately for us, each of these professions can also treat the 'whole body' - and are reluctant to treat anything as unglamorous as a foot - most of the time.

I use to be concerned about encroachment of other professions into podiatry, but now that is is clear that anything from 25-36% of the FTE GP workforce will dissappear and not be replaced in the next 2-3 years - I think the health system will be desparately grateful for anyone that can provide any health care service.

Supply and demand....

LL

 

G'Day Adrian and LLF,

Thanks for the clarification.
I agree wholeheartedly with your views on continuing education and greater depth of study. There is no doubt that with more robust Podiatry courses and continuing education we will further cement our reputation as foot health specialists. However, i believe that the title should come before these changes are made.
The reason why? I think we are looking at two different things here. One is external change and the other internal change both related to the profession intimately, and both equally as important.
The Dr. Title, in my opinion, is one of the only external changes that'll effectively change PUBLIC perception (other health professionals included) with regards to Podiatry as a profession rooted in hard science and medicine. It puts Podiatrists on a whole new level. It instantly tells people that we are university educated, it instantly tells people that we are the first in foot health, and it instantly tells people that feet are just as important as any other part of your body, even if you're only having a corn removed.
Continuing education on the other hand, in my opinion, is an internal change that needs to be made within the profession. A change that'll make PODIATRISTS better practitioners.
Just my opinion, and i hope i haven't offended.

With regards to the overlap with other professions:
Ultimately anything that Podiatrists, Nurses, Chiro's, Optometrists, Dentists, Physiotherapists, and Psychologists treat can be treated by a Medical Practitioner. But one of the reasons why these other professions exist is because we have a deeper understanding of that particular area. We, as Podiatrists, have a much greater grasp of lower limb biomechanics, wound management, and all other things related to the foot. There is no doubt that our profession overlaps with many others and i believe that’s precisely why Podiatry has become a specialty in its own right.
Not one profession is able to do everything that we do as well as we do it........hence the reason for our specialty, Podiatry.
And the very same can point can be made when we look at the medical profession. Why have general surgeons? There exists much overlap in general surgery (perhaps even more so than Podiatry and the other professions). And the same goes for GP's when compared to Physicians.
The reason why we have specialists is because it is understood that there isn't ONE general DOCTOR who can treat everything that goes wrong with the body. The reason why we have health professions who deal only with the surgical treatment of the heart (cardiothoracic surgeon) and then another who deals with only the medical treatment (cardiologist) of the heart is because it is understood that it is too complicated to leave it to someone who isn't a specialist. A GP, a general surgeon, a physician, a psychiatrist, a dermatologist, wouldn't ever consider treating a heart condition, even though they have a right to treat the whole body. And by the same token, a GP, a Physio, a Chiro, wouldn't treat a biomechanical problem within the foot to the same degree and effectiveness that we could.
Even though Physio's and Chrio' prescribe prefab's does not, by any means, mean they are able to treat biomechanical issues of the foot. A lay person can treat their own flat feet by walking in to a pharmacy and buying a pair of prefabs of the shelf. That does not mean they have a greater knowledge in biomechanics than a podiatrist. The levels of education Podiatrist have received in lower limb biomechanics cannot be compared to any other profession. We are the experts in the field. We are the only profession who do 3-4 years (and more in the case of a masters or PhD) of direct and indirect study of lower limb biomechanics throughout our degree. :dizzy:
In my opinion, the only other profession who might be on an equal footing with podiatrists when it comes to the biomechanics of the lower limb are Orthopedic surgeons
Yes, a nurse can cut toenails, a GP can do our minor surgery and treat ulcers, a physio and a chiro can prescribe devices, but not one can call himself/herself a Podiatrist. And the above point is one of several reasons why believe Podiatrist have every right to use the Dr title should they choose to do so.

Again, mate, just my opinion, and i hope i haven't offended. This dialogue is great and i hope we can keep it up.

Cheers,
Sal

 

An Interesting discussion that is quite compulsive reading. I recall an Editors article by Christopher (?Surname) of the Aust. Podiatry Journal of somewhere around 1994 which raised many of the same issues (I believe he prefaced his editorial by mentioning Catalysts...) Here we are Fourteen years later, and the issue is more or less the same.

In my case, I tend towards the arguments submitted by Sal. Although I do accept that others like Adrian make valid points. We seem to have to balance the opposing forces of professional activities (surgical, palliative, biomechanical etc) which I consider to place us in a strong position to use the Honorary title Doctor, versus, qualifications which in some rare cases, are still Diploma's (No insult intended) ,However the majority are minimum Bachelors degrees from Universities. Other independent Health Practitioners like Medical Practitioners have Bachelors degrees, as do Dental Practitioners. As to this question, I favour the view that we Podiatrists are viewed and indeed view ourselves MORE from WHAT we do, than where we studied, or which qualifications we have.

As to the issue of those who spend all day in "general" treatment including cutting toenails, we deliver, on the whole an excellent and desperately needed service. Personally I have a Bachelors, Post-Graduate Diploma and currently working on a Masters degree. Now I am never ashamed or humbled by cutting a toenail, instead I prefer to focus on the benefit of the service more than the "humble" task itself.Indeed a Podiatric Surgeon colleague of mine keeps a certain number of her elder patients for the express purpose of General Treatment. However, I digress, my GP ( a lovely fellow) spends much of his day writing referrals, assessing sore throats, counselling the elderly, advising on haemorrhoids and a myriad of tasks that any 3rd year Med student could equally perform, does this make him any less of a Doctor?

Like us, the Medical, Osteopathic, Dental etc Professions spend a percentage of their days performing relatively simple tasks, this does not diminish their claim to be Doctors any more than our cutting a toenail does.

Sid and LL both raise valid points to the extent that in my home state of QLD, for me to use the title "Doctor" as a Podiatrist, I must have a Ph.D. This provision of the medical act makes no such rigorous demands on my Medical or Dental colleagues. Indeed a recent circular from my Registration Board made it clear that Podiatric Surgeons are Surgical Podiatrists in this state, as the title "Surgeon" is owned by the Medical and Dental professions. I note that Bond University have already commenced a Post-graduate Doctorate leading to registration as a Physiotherapist which is awarded as a "DOCTOR OF PHYSIOTHERAPY" after 2 years full time study having a Bachelors Degree as a pre-req, link : http://www.bond.edu.au/study/courses/hsm/pg/d-physio.html .
My Osteopath (an excellent practitioner) and his profession patently ignores this medical act of QLD, and merrily continue to practice as Doctors.

I do think that adopting an Australian-wide honorary "Doctor of Podiatry" or simply Dr. Joe Bloggs, Podiatrist, is an excellent idea (at least outside of QLD).

I submit that IF we all adopted the honorary "Dr" title, several benefits would develop. Chief of those, IMHO, would be a collective "spring in our step", imagine the profile of our profession if so many dropped the negative view that is widely held internally of our very respected profession. Sure, its an external change, and as LL states so eloquently "...a bit of a w*nk" , but a necessary one. Not necessary from a public perspective as much as to change our intra-professional and inter-professional dynamic.

Lets never forget that the title Podiatrist is taken from the greek , Pod = Foot, and iatrist = physician/doctor. We are already Foot physicians by nomenclature anyway, taking the title Doctor is a logical confirmation of our professional activities.

My 2 cents....:drinks

 

Fantastic post Julian!

 

Well thanks Sally !

I believe you are the OP, so mucho gracias for raising this subject.

As I read through all of the posts, I noted that some of those who are , shall we say cautious/skeptical about employing the Honorary title (Atlas and A.Macmillan for example), post that we don't have the "long-standing rapport and respect in society" to use the title, or that claiming it is "smoke and mirrors". I respect their views, but must disagree. Sure, there are always going to be some patients sitting in our Chairs who think we are glorified Pedicurists, but they, in my view, are the minority and not to be taken seriously anyway. At a minimum they are counter-balanced by those who ask all of us at one time or another, ..."So, you studied to be a doctor first, then specialized in feet? ". The majority in the middle of these two extremes value and understand us very well. As Toeslayer (Sid) has posted on other occasions (help here Sid?) Podiatrists are generally viewed as respected and professional by the public. It is US PODIATRISTS that often devalue our own status. That's why I posted that one of the chief benefits of adopting the title would be to improve the intra-professional dynamic.

The public already know that like Medicos and Dentists we (the vast majority) have:
Specialized Clinics/Surgery's
Dental style Chairs
In Office Surgical procedures
Autoclaves/Sterilization
Surgical Instrumentation
Video Gait Equip/Photography
Treadmills
We treat all age groups
And, we aren't cheap !

So, someone may then say that if we're already respected, why bother making a change? My answer is that our Profession , whilst respected and valued, can't actually afford to stand still as we "compete" in the Health Care Business (Yes, its a Business!). My view is that we need as a Profession to consolidate the excellent position we already have (general treatment etc), and seize the chances to expand our Public profile in the more specialized areas of Surgical, Biomechanical, Sports, Paediatrics etc (not referring to the Pod. Surgeons here). The Pod Surgeons are a good example of unifying and seizing the FULL range of what legislation permits us as a Profession.

Adopting "Doctor" is not to falsely claim that which we aren't deserving of, rather , to improve our collective view of ourselves, with the natural by-product of cementing (and advancing) our Public and inter-professional profile.

Lets no longer be content with the ways things are.
:drinks

 

G'day Julian,
:good: Spot on. Very well put and to the point.
I AM ALL FOR THE TITLE!
Cheers,
Sal

 

Thanks Julian,
I think that you have made a very imoportant point! It is vital that the profession continue to move! That we can't afford to stand still for many reasons. And one of the most vital aspects of this, i think, is to change public and professional perception.
Thak you once agin for your informative posting.
And YES. LETS NO LONGER BE CONTENT WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE!!!
Cheers,
Sal

 

G'day all,

I agree whole heartedly that we are the leading experts in foot knowledge, and teh scope of our practice is so focused and specalised in a way that is unparallelled by other health professional. Our practice involved procedures that are more in line with those of a medical doctor than other health professionals, certainly. We are out there promting out name as podiatrists, and earning a valued reputation as a result. However I don't see how using the Dr. title will change what we do or who we are in any respect?

 

G'day Adrian,
I see what you're saying. The title doesn't change who we are and nor does it change what we do......it does, however, change how we are PERCEIVED professionally and publically.
I think that’s what this is about. We need to be RECOGNISED as the leading experts in foot knowledge by the public and other health professionals, we need to show that our practice is so focused and specialized SO that the public and other health professionals think of us the moment they think "foot problem", we need to consolidate our great reputation in the mind’s eye of the public and other health professionals. And one of the best ways to boost our public image is by letting people know we are FOOT DOCTORS!!! That we use the title Dr like so many other respected health professions.
The profession needs to move forward publically.
We know who we are and what we do, and now it’s time to be RECOGNISED by the public and other health professions.

Cheers,
Sal

 

Thanks Sal,

I just hapen to think that being a, and having the title, 'Podiatrist' is a pretty special thing as it is, and we should promote that in itself, rather than have to try to put ourselves forward as doctors. Actually not having the title differeintiates us from doctors (specifically GP.s) and protrays us as specailists. How many orthopaedic surgeons (and lets face it they are the only medical profession out there who has an idea about our complex understanding of foot mechanics) use the Dr. title? Most of them are Mr. By the same token though, if we are to adopt teh title, we need to do so as a blanket thing, and have all podiatrists using it, so as not to confuse the general population, who may consider one podiatrist better than the other just because one happens to use the Dr. title, and others don't.

Cheers for the great debate on this everyone!
:drinks

 

Hey Adrian,
I’m with you on that. I think being a Podiatrists and being able to call myself one is a very special thing. A thing that I am truly proud of.
I don't think that anyone wants to put themselves forward as a Doctor, at least that’s not what I’m trying to do. When i go to my Dentists i know he's a dentist (i have never mistaken him for a medical practitioner) even though he uses the title Dr same goes with Chiro's etc. And that’s precisely what i want to achieve.
I want the public and other health professionals alike to know that i am Dr. Joe Blogs (Podiatrist).
I see what you're saying about the whole blanket thing...............
But as it stands now, those who want to use it can and those who don't want to use it don't have to (at least that’s the way it is here in Victoria). At least this way people have a choice.

GREAT POSTING EVERYONE! It really is good reading......and on such a fantastic issue.

Cheers,
Sal

 

Very good discussion!
The major question is - Do podiatrists deserve to be in the same category as the below professions?

medical practitioners (MD)
Dentists
Osteopaths
Chiropractors
Physiotherapists
(all titled Dr, with the exception of physios which will soon be changed to Dr)

So, if the answer is YES we do deserve to be affiliated within this highly established group of health professionals; then why shouldn't we be titled Dr (Podiatrist)????????:bang:

If we don't change the title to Dr, Pods 'may' in time fall out of this highly recognised group of professionals:dizzy:.

Cheers

 

G'Day Spur,

My answer to your question is; YES!!!! A BIG YES from me! In my opinion we have every right (Just as much right as the above professions) to use the title!

Cheers,
Sal
ps KEEP POSTING!

 

Brilliant thread!
I'm not sure if everyone is aware but there is a postgrad Doctor of Podiatric Medicine offered here in Australia by the Faculty of Medicine at UWA.

As an aspiring podiatrist I believe I am entering the profession at a very exciting time. We have just received a brand new, state-of-the-art teaching clinic at QUT and the Head of School has been seeking input from everybody who shares an interest in the profession (like us students!) for feedback on developing the course. Perhaps this would be the time to lobby for a similar postgrad course (DPodM) at QUT?

 

:good:
I agree whole heartedly! Uni SA has a brilliant Masters program in place at the moment, and it's great to see UWA getting on board with their advanced post grad stuff. I believe they were working on a Masters of Podiatric Surgery and Masters of Podiatric Physician, but wasn't aware of the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine course. The more universities which can offer good postgraduate courses, and not just Masters of PhD by research degrees, the better. yes research degrees are important as well, but Masters by coursework and Professional Doctorates allow a further scope of learing asside form the research. this all forms a good fundamental foundation for the progession and development of our education, practice and deveopment, and helps to cement ourselves as specalists in foot care. Ano who knows, some of us may even agree to the Dr. title at some stage with all of this behind us!!:boxing:
Cheers!!!

 

That is news to the Physiotherapists that I have talked to!

Some of the Physio schools either have or are planning to offer graduate entry, 4yr entry level clinical doctorates in physiotherapy, so they will be "Dr", but I have not heard of any discussion, let alone decisions about 'regular' physiotherpists using the title. All the USA physical therapy programs are moving to grad entry doctorate programs as the entry level qualification.

BTW - the physiotherapists that I have talked to think we are making fools of ourselves if we start using the Dr title.

 

yes!!

 

Well then that definitely put the "kibosh" on it then. I was unaware that one of the criteria for Podiatric development / changes was the opinions of some/many/all Physiotherapists! :wacko:

Seriously, Craig, if the Pod. Surgeons (Foundational guys like The Bryant's et al ) worried about another Professions view of us (Orthopods for example) we'd never make any changes.

As non-new Grads, you and I know that the world if just full of naysayers and knockers, if we listened to any of them where would the profession be?

There are many who use the title "Doctor" that we don't really respect or trust in the Medical / Dental / Chiro / Osteo and soon to be Physio professions. The market place generally sorts out the quacks from the pro's. The debate here from myself (LL, and Sal, if I can paraphrase them) is not that taking on the title automatically kicks us up a notch in respect, it is simply another tool in the arsenal (like cont education, post-grad degrees, research, public campaigns etc) to cement our existing territory, and make it clear to all and sundry we view ourselves as the "Top Dog" when it comes to Foot Health.

If any member of our Profession thinks they'd look Foolish, then don't use the title...simple.

:drinks

 

I didn't say that I agreed or disagreed with it!

...but the physios are not doing it - the clinical doctorate will become more available as an entry level option, so I assume that those physio's will be doing it. Podiatrists (and all other disciplines) have long had the option of postgrad clinical doctorates.