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Oppurtunities in SA or Emigrate to greater oppurtunity

Discussion in 'Employment in South Africa' started by Pierre Oosthuizen, Sep 18, 2012.


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    Hallo

    Any advice on establishing oneself as a podiatrist? I have a practice for a year in a North West Province town (City, actually). It's going slow. The greatest challenge: the orthotist, the orthopaedic surgeon, and convincing the GP that you know what you are doing. Many GP's don't know what we do, because we don't train with them and are isolated - and becoming more so (as far as I can remember our 2009/2010 Graduates were some of the last groups that were taught Pharmacology at Wits?? Any news on that?).

    Are GP's perhaps nor liking us and under estimate our level of training with good grounds to do or not do so? I studied in depth anatomy and physiology - and passed both subjects (did not drop-out, but changed course) when i was an undergraduate B. Tech Homeopathy student at UJ. I do not regret having do so, and think we are very close to specialists in the field. I surely feel that way after studying the entire body and zoom in on the lower limb since B Tech Pod.

    Should it not be part of training: anatomy 1 & 11, and physiology 1 & 11? Perhaps Chemistry 1b should be brought back or a Mathematics module or Stats module so that analyitical thinking can be developed. Well, that's some food for thought.

    Back to where I started: as compared to Aus and NZ and the UK - there is a demand for Podiatry. WHy, I do not know - I don't have any experience. But surely it's tempting to leave SA for good...

    Is there hope for podiatry? Shall i stay or leave - that is the question after I damaged my car driving through another pothole :deadhorse:
     
  2. DAVOhorn

    DAVOhorn Well-Known Member

    Hi Pierre,

    I am UK trained and have worked in Sydney as well as UK. Worked in UK NHS and in Aus privately .

    Years ago i nearly moved to Cape Town and i used to be registered in SA. That has expired as i did not renew it.

    How are things in S.A. and Western Cape ?

    Where are you in practice ?

    I am curious as a friend says i really should look at S.A again.

    regards David
     
  3. Brandon Maggen

    Brandon Maggen Active Member

    Hi David

    I practice in Cape Town and have done so for many years. You of course may know SA is stunning in so many respects and sadly also lacking in equally as many.

    Podiatry speaking, SA remains an enormous opportunity and a relatively untapped market. We just don't have the numbers to meet demand. Put in perspective there is only 1 podiatry course (throughout the whole of Africa!!!) and more than 50 million people. We qualify no more that 10 - 15 (some years more) pods per year and most of these remain in Johannesburg (where the course is situated).

    We are nearing prescription rights (a little behind our UK colleagues) but are probably a lifetime behind you in achieving surgical privledges.

    We have an ever increasing burden of obesity and diabetes mirroring the rest of the world and foot-care is, like so many other places, on the bottoms of ones priorities.

    Having said that we still have no new posts at most of our public hospitals. The majority of these are in Gauteng. The whole of the Cape metropole has 1 pod on a 5/8 post!!!!!!! Many other provinces have not a single pod on staff. Those who are in the employ of government complain of resource scare environments and little career progression.

    We have as a Dept of Health priority an immanent role-out of a National Health Insurance to alleviate the burden on public health by forcing private practitioners to see 'govt' patients at a fee prescribed by them - well below the actual cost of practice.

    Medical Insurance companies are limiting their expenditure on 'non-vital' services (like pod) year on year, so balanced billing is now an every day occurrence and pt's are unhappy to pay.

    Our govt has their interests well ahead of the desperate poor and our children will eventually inherit the ravishes of an uneducated populace.

    In a nut-shell, there is plenty work for podiatrists. We need to market our services to our supporting GP's and specialists and 'prove' to them our worth and training.

    With all our problems we still live in (Cape Town at least) one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

    If you are ever in the Cape PM me and we can meet for a pint:drinks

    regards

    Brandon
     
  4. DAVOhorn

    DAVOhorn Well-Known Member

    Many thanks for that Brandon.

    I am still not sure what to do.

    regards David:drinks
     
  5. Brandon Maggen

    Brandon Maggen Active Member

    Its fascinating Dave that in your process of thought going forward, I too have a hard decision ahead of me whether or not to emigrate. One of my options is in fact the UK.
    Ironic.

    Let me know if I could ever be of assistance - I am on the Exco of the Podiatry Association of SA.

    Good luck.

    Brandon
     
  6. DAVOhorn

    DAVOhorn Well-Known Member

    Hi Brandon,

    Theopportunities in UK at this time are variable. The competition for posts within the NHS are fierce with many applicants seeking the few posts.

    Look at NHS Jobs and weep.

    Private Practice can be challenging.

    I worked in Sydney Australia from 2006-2010 and the opportunities for employment within the Hospital system can be very good. Also private practice can offer amazing opportunities for those with ambition.

    If i had been much younger i would have stayed and moved to either Tasmania or Queensland.

    I had a wonderful time in Aus and worked for a resonably large and successful practice. I earnt far more than i ever could in NHS in UK.

    So if you are looking to move from SA look at Australia.

    The Allied Health professions are in great demand and in Podiatry your future is assured due to the increasing obesity and Diabetes levels within the population.

    regards David:drinks
     
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