Podiatrists performing cardiac auscultations?

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Should cardiac auscultations techniques be introduced into the australian podiatry degrees and scope of practice? even for alterations in BP or LA injections? Maybe should the podiatrist knowledge of general medicine be more upskilled to match our American counterparts?

 

Re: podiatrist cardiac auscultations

For all those who have no idea what im talking about in laymans: podiatrist using a sthethoscope to listen to the heart

 

Re: podiatrist cardiac auscultations

Given that the risk from LA is so low, doubt it. Do dentists do it before they use LA?

 

Re: podiatrist cardiac auscultations

I dont think so, however as primary care providers shouldn't we make sure that if there are any red flags we should be able to pick it up??

 

In the us, dentists do (and podiatrists) train. It is a principle of clinical pharmacology: If you caused it, you need to know how to fix it.

 

Difficult one this. The old Podiatry Association in the UK did arrange for training in auscultation. How many times have I used it? about 5, and then because I was enthusiastic. The opinion of most physicians (medical) that I have spoken to seems to be that whilst you can pick up gross changes, you really need to be doing it all the time to pick up the subtle cardiac variance. The gross changes in beat would be pretty obvious with routine DP and PT palpation and certainly with Doppler testing. In emergency situations (in the UK where an ambulance is within 7 minutes call - except the really remote areas) it would not be that helpful anyway. Having said that, it's always interesting to appreciate the other man's job and drbone's comment is valid.

All the best

Bill Liggins