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Prospective student - a few questions

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Erick85, Sep 12, 2013.

  1. Erick85

    Erick85 Welcome New Poster


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    I am considering to study Podiatry (either in Australia or New Zealand) and I have a few questions:

    1. I am not interested in wound management in adult/elderly at all. Rather, I am interested in sports injuries and children’s feet.

    Is this "attitude" a problem for a newly graduated podiatrist? Will there be enough jobs if I do not want to work with wound management?

    2. Is there a real demand for Podiatrists in Australia and New Zealand? (how about Singapore and UK?)

    3. I have not studied any natural science subjects in a very long time (10 years ago) and math/chemistry is often "assumed knowledge" How is the reality? Do I need good skills in math/chemistry in order to complete my studies?

    Thank you!
     
  2. footpower

    footpower Active Member

    hi
    you may want to consider to study pedorthics at SCU. Pedorthics is about biomechanics, orthoses and footwear. It is new to the University sector in Australia and in its depth unique in the English speaking world. A significant investment has been made at SCU to set up the course in Pedorthics. Further there are many shared units with podiatry so you can do a double degree.

    About jobs, I spoke to a number of potential employers in Australia and it appears there are jobs in every state. There is work in Japan and we have good contacts to Thailand, India, Singapore, Canada, the USA and many EU countries.

    Here you can find more information:
    http://www.scu.edu.au/health-sciences/index.php/116
    http://www.scu.edu.au/news/media.php?item_id=5161&action=show_item&type=M
    http://libguides.scu.edu.au/content.php?pid=411197&sid=3361491
     
  3. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

  4. Tuckersm

    Tuckersm Well-Known Member

    You will be expected to study all aspects of podiatry during the course, so as part of your clinical education will be exposed to wound management, treating the elderly, as well as sports and pediatrics. A number of podiatrists have established practices that focus on sports and / or children, so it would be worth you targeting such a practice for your 1st position. More positions are available though for "general" podiatry in private practice.
    Currently in Australia, Yes, but graduate numbers are increasing, so available positions decreasing.

    Chemistry not that important, but if you wish to focus on bio-mechanics (sports and Kids) you will need a good knowledge of physics and maths to understand the forces affecting the foot during gait.
     
  5. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    Too late Stephen, we are going to taking him over to the dark side :D
     
  6. Erick85

    Erick85 Welcome New Poster


    Ok, it sounds interesting. However, I am still worried about job opportunities though. It seems like a very small profession?
     
  7. footpower

    footpower Active Member

    You right its not big profession, there are not 3 or 4 in every suburb competing for business, nor are there any large companies and there mobile services over lapping those suburbs.

    I recently asked a number of potential employers, why they do not advertise vacant positions. The response I got was, because they know there is no one that would apply for a job. I then asked would you employ someone and the messages I am getting is that there are jobs in every capital city in Australia. A couple of years ago a large hospital in Australia was looking for someone. Apparently no one with the required skills applied and they are now training staff up to the position.

    Opportunities are boundless in any profession, if you offer good service and great support, you choose.
     
  8. Erick85

    Erick85 Welcome New Poster


    Ok, thanks for your input! So there seems to be an element of gambling with this career (in terms of job opportunities) ? Is there any risk that podiatrist will move more into this area and "steal" jobs?

    I also wonder if this course will be available for international students?
     
  9. footpower

    footpower Active Member

    There is an element of gambling with every career path. There are usually jobs in every field, but are the jobs where you want to be, that maybe a different question. That is true for most professions. Pedorthics is small but growing with increased job opportunities rather than decreasing opportunities. There are even job opportunities overseas. I know of a few that work in Japan.
    It is unlikely that podiatrist will move into pedorthics to steal jobs. There is a high probability that a larger podiatry practice may offer you a job. There are a couple of precedents where podiatry companies employed overseas trained pedorthists. There are also a likelihood of jobs in Prosthetic / Orthotic companies or such Hospital departments.
    Yes the course is open to international students. SCU recently had an enrolment from the USA. There are no such courses in the whole of North America.
     
  10. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    l also understand the Pedorthic degree at SCU is the only degree of its kind in an English speaking country.

    So we would expect a few more international students over time.
     
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