FHPs working alongside Podiatrists

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

Hi. Although this is my 1st posting on this site I am pleased to be a member.

I am studying to become a Foot Healthcare Practitioner at present & have found this site very interesting.

What are people's views regarding FHPs working alongside Podiatrists?

As a reflexologist I see quite a few people who need the help of a FHP or Podiatrist. This made me look into becoming Podiatrist. However, I was put off this idea by the requirement that doing a BSc in Podiatry is full time course which would mean having to give up my current clients. By studying to be a FHP instead I have been able to continue with my reflexology clients. To be honest I think the work that a FHP does assists Podiatrists by reducing the length of gap between visits for those who really only need simpler things done such as toe nail cutting. This would relieve the Podiatrist's work load, allowing them to do more complex work for which they are trained to do. Anything outwith the training of a FHP should then be referred to a Podiatrist.

Are there any Podiatrists here who support this view? or who already work with FHPs?

I look forward to hearing your views.

weefeemcdee

 

Welcome, congrats on being a member since Dec 2011 and taking the time to post. Introductions is not the best place for questions and expectations of answers?
Each country will have there own acronyms. Sorry I have no idea what FHP stands for. EEK Interesting about toe nail cutting?
Today I spent 40 minutes with sterilised instruments cutting, redefining, blacks filing and reducing some onychauxic, onychomycotic involuted elongated (++) nails with sub ulcerations and extensive onychophosis. The nails had not been addressed for at least 18 months. The footwear also needed to be addressed to reduce the pressure of the nails and other forefoot dermal conditions present. I see this as very complex and skilled work.

"just nails" often need very good skills.

Cheers

Heather

 

Thank you Heather.

Sorry - FHP is short for Foot Healthcare Practitioner. I am studying for a diploma in this.
I don't mean to suggest that dealing with toe nails is simple. I know that alot of things need to be addressed when dealing with feet & toe nails.

My choice of wording perhaps did not help.

Regards

Fiona

 

Hello weefeemcdee,
Some of the questions you ask have been discussed here

http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.php?t=7965

The lack of response to your question

would seem to indicate that no-one does this.

Didn't you find out about the opportunities for employment before you actually signed up for the course?

I am also curious as to why you would want to work with a Pod? FHPs are trained to be stand-alone practitioners, so I don't know why you would want to work for someone else?

Also, you might like to ask yourself why a pod would want to give away work they can do themselves, in a recessions?

There has already been a thread on this forum from an academically well-educated pod who has problems competing with Social Enterprise/not-for-profit organisations. This practitioner also has alternative therapy qualifications under their belt.

I have had a quick look on the internet to see if I an find any jobs for FHPs to work with pods. The only one I can find is this

http://www.jobisjob.co.uk/huddersfi...nt/job-offer-wmrye4n24bwao3dq5pr5efhk5e?pos=0

regards

Catfoot

 

Thank you Catfoot for your comments.

Some of the questions you ask have been discussed here

http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiat...ead.php?t=7965

- I did read these postings but as these were dated a few years ago I thought it would be worth asking again.

Heather J mentioned in her response to my posting that perhaps the introductions forum was not the appropriate place to ask questions. I accept this is probably quite right given that there has been a ''lack of response'' to my question, as you put it.

Yes I did research work opportunities locally before I signed up for my FHP course.
I was just intrigued to find out what other people's views on this site were regarding FHPs working alongside Podiatrists.

Quote:
Also, you might like to ask yourself why a pod would want to give away work they can do themselves, in a recessions?
- My view is that there is perhaps capacity for a FHP to take on work here as some people I know have long periods to wait between podiatry appointments.

Quote:
There has already been a thread on this forum from an academically well-educated pod who has problems competing with Social Enterprise/not-for-profit organisations. This practitioner also has alternative therapy qualifications under their belt.
- I too have read this posting. However I am unable to compare work opportunities for others in different circumstances and different localities.

I appreciate that you are trying to help but I am not looking for employment just opinions. Thank you anyway.

Kind regards

weefeemcdee

 

Hello weefeemcdee,
You said

So may I suggest you might like to try your question in the UK forum where there might be a better response ?

You said

 

Hello weefeemcdee,

I trained as a FHP with the SMAE Institute and a Reflexologist with the AOR. I qualified with the SMAE March 2007 and set up my own Dom practice visiting patients houses just doing general podiatry. As for the Reflexology I qualified Jan 2009 and tried to tie it in with the business but found it to time consuming and the demand for treatments were in short supply. After a couple of years of working as a lone FHP I found I suffered a lot with my back which after a full week was sometimes so painful that I could hardly bear anyone to touch it. The other thing I found was that as an FHP I was really poorly trained and I didn't have the knowledge that was required to treat patients on a professional level. To add to this I found that in the Podiatry world, FHP's are not thought of very highly so the chances of a Podiatrist referring a patient to you is Very Very unlikely. To that extent I completed the BSc (Hons) in Podiatry and I am now a Podiatrist and I no longer feel inadequate. My knowledge has improved dramatically and I no longer feel alone as I did as a FHP. Once you leave the SMAE your basically on your own and believe me that is a very frightening place to be as a new practitioner. You say that you don't want to do the degree because you want to keep on practicing Reflexology well you can. When I started my degree I was 38 yrs of age, a mother of two children 4 yrs and 7 yrs and I lived in Newport South Wales. I choose to study Podiatry on a full time course at the University of Southampton which was 3 days a week and I commuted weekly that's 252 miles round trip and also worked a 12 hour shift doing doms on a Sunday. You are paying to be a FHP the BSc is fully funded by the NHS and you will be eligible for student loans/grants and an NHS Bursary, I wish I did it earlier. I wish you every luck in the future but I don't think you will get many pods referring to FHP plus they are not recognised in the NHS and they tend to steer patients towards Age Concern nail cutters who are NHS trained.

Good luck
Amanda

 

Thanks for your advice & comments Amanda. It is much appreciated.

Another reason for not doing the BSc at Queen Margaret's University is because I was put off the idea when speaking to the disability advisor at the uni I mentioned that I have MS. I was told that it is really a full time course & students doing that course are expected to be there from 9am-5pm. (some of which is done at placement at a clinic in Edinburgh)

I used to have an office job in Edinburgh as a tax manager. Travelling back & forth to Edinburgh did exaggerate my MS fatigue. I know that I have good & bad days so the worry was that I would not complete the degree. (If there was a thought that I would not complete the BSc they may not let me on the course) I am only 42yrs old & feel I have a strong interest in helping people relieve pain or other problem issues relating to their feet.

Just wish there was an easier way of doing so.

Thanks,
Fiona

 

Hi Fiona

I'm sorry to hear you have MS and I won't lie to you the course was really tiring, especially block clinical placements which they do at Southampton. Are you sure that FHP/Podiatry is what you want to do? Treating patients all day can be very tiring especially the concentration, and the stress on your hands and wrists when debriding and using the clippers. I realise that being self employed you will have the option to work when you like, but I would suggest asking a local clinic whether you could possibly sit in for the day or help voluntarily with the work load to see if it really is for you. How far through your course are you? I don't know who you are doing your course through but if its the SMAE and you've not yet done your clinical training of 2 weeks I would warn you that the 2 weeks are very full on and long days. From memory I think that clinics open at 9am and close at 530pm something like that and you only have an hour dinner break and no breaks in between for a full 5 days per week. What ever you decide best of luck with it if you want any advice please don't hesitate to contact me, Ive been through both courses so I should be able to give you some help and guidance along the way. Take care Amanda

 

Thanks Amanda
I am about 3/4 through my FHP course with Stonebridge. I will be doing my practical training in a few weeks. But I will not have far to travel between accommodation & clinic so that is a plus.
I think that sitting in voluntarily at a local clinic is a good idea. I will look into this.
Thanks for your help.
Kind regards
Fiona

 

Hello amandamiah and thanks for some useful posts giving the viewpoint from "both sides of the fence", as it were.

weefeemcdee,
Now you have heard it from the horses mouth and I can only repeat the question posed by amandaiah, "are you sure you want to do this?"

You have said that the daily commute into Edinburgh was tiring yet you plan to undertake a 500 mile journey ( 9 hours driving if you don't stop, 7.5 hours by train plus bus from Exeter to Bude) in order to do your practical training. Is this advisable healthwise?

Observing in a clinic is a good suggestion for gathering background information but in order to get a flavour of working "out in the field", which is what you will be doing, you need to do just that.

I would suggest that you approach a local FHP and arrange to shadow them to see what the reality is like, then see if you want to proceed.

regards

Catfoot

 

Don't worry Catfoot, I can get a plane from Edinburgh to Exeter then car/bus to Bude. Much less tiring.

 

Well, thank goodness for that. I couldn't see the point in making yourself ill for 2 days out of a 10 day course.

My comments about shadowing an FHP still apply - you may be surprised how tiring the job actually is.

regards

Catfoot

 

:

:good: good skills and essential care - often forgotten and frequently over looked in my experience.

Dave Smith

 

I would like to wish weefeemcdee all the best in her FHP training. I see the role of FHP's essential in providing personal care to those who can not manage to do so.

I am a tad disappointed at the rather negative responses on this post, bad form indeed.

 

Thank you rosspod.

I am really enjoying this course and think that I can use my skill and care to help people in this area.

Kind regards

weefeemcdee

 

Rosspod,
You said

and I absolutely agree that for caring people are needed in this area as defined below

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/personal care

However, IMO, Chiropody/Podiatry should be left to the regulated sector and there are more than enough of your colleagues in the private sector who would be happy to take on this job.

The original title of this thread is "FHPs working alongside Podiatrists" and there have been some answers to the OP's original question. The OP then said in Post 5#

and these have been given.

As you are aware MS is a debilitative, unpredictable and incurable disease which produces a myriad of unpleasant symptoms. Among these are cognitive dysfunction, optic neuritis, spasticity, ataxia and fatigue. From speaking to friends with the disease I am told that the worst of these is the fatigue which can strike without warning. Driving is not a possibility for some of them.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I feel it would be remiss of me not to point out the pitfalls of embarking on a course of training that requires much physical imput.

As the NHS does not provide a domiciliary service then you will not be aware that such work can be very tiring as there is always equipment to carry, and the operating conditions may not be ideal. We have already had a post from an ex FHP - now Podiatrist - who has testified to this.

regards

Catfoot

 

Catfoot

I have had the MS condition for over 10yrs. As you are aware from speaking to your friends with the condition, it affects everyone differently. Don't you think I would have considered everything before embarking on my FHP course. I have the common sense to plan what I should or should not do. And while I feel able I will continue to live my life accordingly. My friends in the NHS are in support of my choice of career.

Regards

weefeemcdee

 

weefeemcdee,
you said

if that is the case why do you feel the need to come onto this forums and ask questions about people's opinions?
Why should other peoples' opinions matter to you if you have already embarked on your course?

Really? Then you should know that the time to ask questions and do research about a career change is before you start, not half-way through the process.

Maybe they are, at the end of the day you will be the one trying to carve out a niche at the bottom end of the footcare market and cope with a debilitating condition at the same time.

Still, it's your choice

regards

Catfoot

 

Meow! There is really no need for comments like that. Perhaps being at the bottom of the footcare marketis where I am happy to be.

And asking for other people's opinion is out of interest.

Please accept this as an end to this thread.

regards

weefeemcdee

 

Hi weefeemcdee,

Asking for opinions/questions is the only way to learn, so don`t let the minority few negative comments put you off from engaging here at the Arena. There is much to learn and offer here.

Good luck with your career :drinks

Cheers,
Bel

 

weefeemcdee,
It wasn't a "catty" remark - it was a statement of fact. However, I am glad that you have realised that your "career"as an FHP will be limited.

It never ceases to amaze me how many wannabe FHPs come on this site, ask questions and then take umbridge at the answers they receive. One can only speculate how many are actually genuine

And BTW, it isn't up to you to decide when a thread should end, that's Admin's perogative. If you choose not to contribute anymore that's up to you.

Blinda, I wonder why you didn't engage in this discussion before now and give our wee lassie the benefit of your experience? It is a bit late now as weefeemcdee has gone (for a fish supper) ?
Just curious.

regards

Catfoot

 

Weefeemcdee

Good luck from me too.

Take care

 

Possibly because I see no point in engaging with your caustic dialogue?

 

Sorry, Belinda, I don't accept that

there were 3 days and 2 posts before I engaged in the thread, plenty of time for you to offer advice had you wished to do so.

I would suspect it is more likely that you agree with me, in that it is unethical to raise the hopes of anyone with a debilitating illness by encouraging them to take up a career involving a large physical component.

This is not to say that MS sufferers should not be able to have a career, however, it should be tailored to their capabilities.

regards

Catfoot

 

You can suspect whatever you like, Catfoot.

As with the majority of your opinions, I most certainly do not concur.

 

I have had 13 years experience of chiropody having qualified through the SMAE and then, through sheer luck, grandparented on to the HCPC register. It has been a wonderful second career and I would recommend it, Chiropodist or FHP, to anyone.

I have run a successful chiropody clinic and I, personally, would be delighted to work beside any FHP who has had the kind of training I received, is insured, can prove their competence and has the personality and enthusiasm for care that is needed.

 

Hello yeldir,
I am puzzled when you say

because if they

which was from SMAE, why would they not be competent and have to prove themselves? Are you saying that the SMAE FHP course is lacking somewhere? I'd be very careful what you say here.

SMAE say themselves, in their advertising, that a qualified FHP could expect to earn £35.00 for a half hour treatment, so why would they want to work alongside anyone else?

Confused Catfoot

PS I notice you also say that you became grandparented by "sheer luck". I am sure that your patients will find that very reassuring.

 

Of course we are all well aware that many of our UK profession don't regard grandparenting as any test of competence.

I don't myself as it happens. This poster may have been perfectly competent before he/she became grandparented.

 

David H,
It wasn't the "grandparented" part of the statement that I was being sarcastic about.
It was stating they had got onto the register by "sheer luck" that gave rise to my comment. We all know that the grandparented were taken onto the register without a test of competence, so I was surprised that anyone of them would want to advertise that fact.

I'm also surprised you haven't made a comment on this person's statement about SMAE FHPs being required to "prove themselves"?

regards

Catfoot

 

1. Attainment of a degree, diploma or profeesional qualification of any kind does not necessarily bestow competence.
2. You are right, my entitlement to use the title of Chiropodist/Podiatrist was not luck, it was through the dedicated and inspired work of people like Mike Batt who tried to bring some clarity into the regulation of the profession.

 

That's interesting, yeldir, you said,

perhaps you could explain how Mike Batt brings " clarity into the regulation of the profession" when he is operating a business that trains unregulated practitioners ?!

confused Catfoot

 

Confused, Catfoot, or just contentious....

'....who tried....' is past tense... speeky English????

Thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as Gods. Then we learned to mummify them. Cats would do well to remember this.

 

Ah, hello again Johnpod,

Hablo Ingles

Je parle Anglais

Parlo ingelese

Ego loquor Anglorum

Beszelek angolul

Mo po angielsku

Jeg taler engelsk

but what has the tense to do with the subject under discussion ??

Still confused

Catfoot

 

Tell us again about your degree, Catfoot. How on earth did you get it? We are all anxious to understand. To avoid confusion, I have kept it simple for you. Complete the following:


"I have a degree of......................................................".

Thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as gods. Then mankind evolved.

 

Johnpod,
If you can't stay on topic, insist on talking in riddles and have nothing to bring to the discussion except childish insults then I have no more to say.

Catfoot

 

The day you have no more to say, Catfoot, is the day I buy a lottery ticket!

For thousands of years cats were worshipped as gods. What were people thinking of?

 

CF
I think Johnpod asked you a direct question :-

"To avoid confusion, I have kept it simple for you. Complete the following:


"I have a degree of................................................ ......".

There's no riddle in that so perhaps you can give us the answer ?

Cheers
D

 

When asked what is the best way to compare Podiatrists and FHPs. Here goes:-

Hypothetical situation-
My mother is housebound, she is Type I diabetes and also has Dementia. By choice we allow her to stay at home where she receives care from folk who know about her medical disorder, meds and side effects, signs for deterioration, and personal care not to mention assistance with her catheter care, etc.

We can use carers who have have been inhouse trained by agencies, with a maximum of 2 weeks hands on experience in a non-acute environment (training in a training room and on each other), or we could employ NMC staff nurses, who are regulated, have had experience of working in acute medical environments, etc.

The hourly rate for the carers is £45. The hourly rate for using NMC staff nurses is £45. Naturally, we always only have NMC staff nurses.......Its a no brainer really!!!

 

Johnpod....are you by any chance the HCPC Podiatrist who is the Director of The College of Foot Health Practitioners and The Director of the Alliance of private sectors? If you are, where did you do your Chiropody training?