What 3 things would you change about Podiatry to make it better?

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You have been asked to assess the way Podiatry works in the UK and have been given 3 changes to make it better. You can change anything you like, i.e. the way Uni's teach the course, the NHS, Private Practice, anything you like.

So what would you do to make it better?

 

3 changes would be a challenge.............but here goes
1) Cease fire bx society and associations to promote profession
2) Positive promotion of PP at uni level (NHS is not the be all and end all)
3) MSK treated on the same level as diabetes and RhA at uni level
:drinks

 

1. The title
2. The teaching
3. How the teaching is funded

No profession needs two titles. The Chiropody/Podiatry label is absolutely not wanted and does UK podiatry no favours. It doesn't help chiropody either. Podiatry is not the same as Chiropody.

The university teaching is improper and inappropriate for the provision of chiropody - that's 90% of what podiatrists actually currently do

The NHS should not be involved in commisioning and funding training of podiatrists when it cannot employ those that are trained.

Is this like Desert Island Discs? Can I have a fourth?

4. The regulation. In private practice podiatry clients self-refer. Podiatrists do not belong with the hpc and have little in common with other so-regulated occupations. The notion that podiatry is an allied health profession. is being used to hold podiatry back.

Not intentionally political, but you did ask!

 

Morning all,

My 2p worth.

1). Change/increase podiatric education in the United Kingdom to a recognised medical degree.

2). Increase public awareness of podiatry.

3). Peace & love to all.

Hiding behind sand bags.

 

1: no interaction with any patients

2: no interaction with other podiatrists

3: more money

well, you can dream...

 

1. better practical skills - too many come out from uni with the knowledge but couldn't palpate a pedal pulse if they tried!
2. better recognition in our chosen careers - Most GP's have no idea what we can do!
3. Better pay - I agree with Fatboy - we should be paid what we are worth.


Kiwi AD

 

100% agree Jonh

Cheers Dave

 

PMSL!

 

Agree with everything Johnpod has said !
Please stop calling Podiatry a less than medical profession. During my time at my school of podiatric medicine, i studied not only podiatry subjects but also subjects that would be related to general medicine.
Please lets bring podiatric medicine to where it is meant to be, up there with other medical professions :hammer:

 

1. Much, much more emphasis on Biomech at undergraduate level to bring it in line with Podiatry degrees in other countries.

2. Biomechanics to be a far more integral and compulsary part of the Pod Surgery training.

3. All graduates to spend minimum one year working under supervision in either the NHS or multi chair private practices and have to demonstrate a minimum level of competancy in the real world before considered fully qualified as an autonomous clinician.

And if John is having a 4th then i'm gonna...

4. CPD to be reorganised along a "mentoring" system so that EVERY podiatrist in clinical practice has a "go to guy" (or girl) for advice, guidance, support and to ensure they do not stagnate as a professional. Face to face meetings and cpd reviews every 6/12, contact available whenever required etc etc.

Regards
Robert

 

I agree with Robert Isaacs points on this one (and it saves me writing it all out again!)
Regarding Podiatry as a medical profession, do you mean that we should be on a par with doctors, GPs etc? If so, you'd have to do a full medical degree before specialising as a Pod. I suspect many of us wouldn't have got in to Uni in the first place. We may have studied subjects related to medicine, but not to the same extent as a qualified doctor.

 

What?!! A proper QUALIFIED doctor!???!!!
LOL! This site gets funnier and funnier every time I read it.
Merry Christmas! :santa:

 

Devil's advocate, John:

While I agree the two titles are silly, can you explain the differences between chiropody and podiatry?

As someone who designed and validated a curriculum for under-graduate podiatry education, I can say that the course I designed was built around the JQAC and HPC competencies in order to meet the needs of these (then) regulatory body's. Please read the HPC standards document and tell me which of these standards you feel is "improper and "inappropriate" for the provision of chiropody/ podiatry"?

What 10% is podiatry and what 90% is chiropody BTW?

Interesting, commissioning numbers come from the podiatry managers within the areas served by each of the schools of podiatry. If the numbers are too high, it's the fault of the podiatry managers. Also of note is that the NHS pays the course fees and provides bursary payments to students of podiatry, many of whom have no intention of working for the NHS. Should all students who receive such funding be forced to put back into the system by being forced to work for the NHS post-graduation as is the case in other sponsorships?

Can you identify the things that make chiropody / podiatry unique when compared to the other professions classified as allied health and to how this is "holding the profession back"?

 

Robeer,
I generally agree with your contentions here. I believe that biomechanics is not a speciality and should be embedded within the curriculum of undergraduate and post-graduate training where appropriate, but if you don't have the skills required across the board of subjects within the teaching staff, you're up **** street when it comes to delivering the course material. Having advertised for lecturer positions and interviewed on several occasions, I can honestly say that sometimes you just have to pick the best of those that have applied and worry about their short-comings later (we all have them BTW). If you think you can do better get involved in teaching, if you are not already (not you Robeer- I know you already do)

 

Can I explain the differences - yes

Can I identify - yes

If the solution had to be within present parameters - JQUAC /HPC/QAA/NHS standards - then it could not be a solution to our present ills. Take a look at those bodies. Not one of them is interested in our profession per se. They are all government agencies. The plight we are in calls for a complete rethink if this profession is to ever hold true professional status. We cannot achieve this by building on the status quo.

 

John,
Congratulations, you've answered none of my questions. BTW, JQAC was a body representing the Society of Chiropodists/ Podiatrists so I suspect that they may have been interested in our profession. LoL.:bash:

What is the difference between chiropody and podiatry? Nothing.

Go review the HPC documentation, then tell me which of the standards is inappropriate...... None of them.

How are we unique from the other allied health professions regulated by the HPC? We're not other than the fact that we specialise in the foot and this is holding us back because........?

Unless, of course, you know different.......

BTW, what "plight" are "we in"? I'm very happy in my work, thank you very much for asking.

John, if you are unhappy with your chosen career path, it's never too late to change it.

 

Simon:

"Also of note is that the NHS pays the course fees and provides bursary payments to students of podiatry, many of whom have no intention of working for the NHS. Should all students who receive such funding be forced to put back into the system by being forced to work for the NHS post-graduation as is the case in other sponsorships?"

I think that entirely proper

"...can you explain the differences"

yes

"Can you identify....."

yes

A solution to the ills of this profession that lay within the present parameters set by JQAC/HPC/QAA/NHS cannot be a solution for this predicament we are in. It is those parameters that have caused our present state. Tinkering with the present set-up can bear no fruit.

What is needed, IMO, is a pragmatic review of the skills required and then real consideration of the best ways to teach them.

I believe that Podiatry ought to be taught in a medical school as a medical speciality.

I also suggest that chiropody is not properly the remit of a true podiatrist, and should be done by other workers, perhaps apprenticeship trained. The titles should be split and re-allocated appropriately. Podiatrists that want the podiatry title but work at chiropody should properly be called Chiropodists - and so should anyone else that makes their living by doing chiropody.

Wendy's suggestion 1) Cease fire bx society and associations to promote profession is not realistic because there is no interaction whatever bx society and associations - no interaction whatever!

 

I also think it entirely proper that we declare any relevent vested interest before making comment on undergraduate training....... Do you, perchance, have any?

 

John,
You are still not answering the questions I put to you. What "predicament" do you perceive that we are in? What are the "ills" of the profession? Answering "yes" is bollocks, as well you know. And it's entirely proper for students to be sponsored by a company that they have no intention to work for... tell that to the army.

When the HPC standards were drawn up, do you honestly think that podiatrists were not consulted upon the documentation? Do you not think that the process of drawing up the standards was a pragmatic review and that those involved in education did not respond to this by considering how best to teach them?

You still haven't told me what you think the differences between chiropody and podiatry are?

John, to someone who has worked in podiatric education for many years, it seems to me that you are coming across as someone who may not really know what they are talking about. It may help me to understand your point of view if you give me a brief career biography for yourself.

 

Who? Me? Not these days. But in a previous life I was the Head of the Plymouth School of Podiatry- you?

 

I know that - you were a far better boxer anyway! For the avoidance of doubt, the previous comment was directed at Johnpod.... Me? I'm just a simple [sic] chiropodist!

 

Me too. Although I prefer the term shermopodist.

 

In response to the OP:

1. Amalgamate all the current membership organisations then remove all those presently holding any official position within same. Appoint someone with sufficient commercial/business accumen, such as Gerry Robinson, as head of the new organisation with a remit to promote and establish the profession in the market. Remove podiatry from the NHS - at all levels - education, training and practice - and establish a network of insurers to support practice funding and patient payments.

2. Establish three national centres of excellence which encompasses training schools, R&D centres and post graduate (or CPD) facilities - and have them funded independently from the NHS.

3. More research into the function of the foot in gait and related disorders, optimising function in surgical intervention, and a sound knowledge of business accumen at undergraduate level.

 

A little bird tells me that Johnpod is "Exhuming McCarthy"

REM
You're beautiful more beautiful than me
You're honorable more honorable than me
Loyal to the Bank of America

(chorus 1)
It's a sign of the times
It's a sign of the times

(chorus 2)
You're sharpening stones, walking on coals
To improve your business acumen
Sharpening stones, walking on coals,
To improve your business acumen

Vested interest united ties, landed gentry rationalize
Look who bought the myth, by jingo, buy America

(repeat chorus 1)

(repeat chorus 2)

Enemy sighted, enemy met, I'm addressing the realpolitik
Look who bought the myth, by jingo, buy America

"Let us not assassinate this man further Senator,
You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir?
At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

We're sharpening stones, walking on coals
To improve your business acumen
Sharpening stones, walking on coals,
To improve your business acumen

Enemy sighted, enemy met, I'm addressing the realpolitik
You've seen start and you've seen quit
(I'm addressing the table of content)I always thought of you as quick
Exhuming McCarthy
(Meet me at the book burning)
Exhuming McCarthy
(Meet me at the book burning)
Exhuming McCarthy
(Meet me at the book burning)
Exhuming McCarthy
(Meet me at the book burning)

Tune BTW before they became boring.
Listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2wET1OlK4Q&feature=related

 

Vested interest?! In bifurcating the profession? Surely not.

Actually, just to swim upstream, I think there is possibly some merit to a system in which people can do a lesser degree of training to do some elements of Podiatry. That said the redefinition of chiropody and podiatry is not the way to do it. As has so often been stated, one cannot simply create ones own terminology.

And I personally feel there is nowt wrong with podiatry as an AHP. We're not medical doctors. We cover a wee bit of general medicine (2 modules when I trained) as it pertains to the feet. Podiatry is a great profession with a vital niche. Pretending we are other than we are is A: not needful and B: potentially harmful. You can call yourself sparky the rocket dog but that don't make your backside a jetpack!

Ok. I've got a number 5.

5. Make podiatrists satisfied with their place in the the grand order of things, regardless of where that place might fall.

We're not doctors. We're not physios. We're not pedicurists. We're not counsellors (thank goodness). We are PODIATRISTS and should be proud of the fact!

I hear that!! They say that the student is a reflection of the teacher, its always interesting seeing students from different universities. Veeeery different in approach and ability.

Nah, just a bit of post grad stuff. I just enjoy trying to introduce biomech to those who are usually frightened of it. Never done any undergrad lecturing. Anyone want to offer me a job?

Cheers
Robert

 

Bifurcate? Into chiropodist and podiatrist?- Laughing my mothers flabby ass off, y' man can't even work out the difference and put it forward as an argument.

 

Didn't think I would get a response, but aren't you John Falkner-Heylings who runs the West Midlands School and the Alliance? If so, don't you think it proper and appropriate for you to declare an interest and stop hiding behind a rather silly and stupid sobriquet? I think I am reasonably well known to criticise most membership hierarchy at times and I do so with no feet planted in any camp - but sometimes I despair when you or others (like Mike Batt at SMAE who hides behind MediSRCH - what a lovely nickname!) post on matters pertaining to regulation, education or podiatric practice - without declaring your own financial or vested interests. You ( and Mike) do have some good points to make and do give some salient advice on professional matters, but I find it hard to respect your views when you so obviously prefer to speak behind a smokescreen. Whilst I agree that the Society has made an arse of professional unification discussions - and that they too have their own agenda - you do little to advance your own position by your concealment. That is to the detriment of the profession generally and to those members of the public who continue to give you their monies.

 

Good thread guys

Johnpod- you couldnt be more transparent if you tried so you might as well go under your real name.

As an oldie originaly from a different allied health profession- I thought the system worked very wellwhen we did a diploma which was very much more hands on although the academic side was truly not much less than it is now, and if folk wanted to climb the ladder they did a "highers" qualification which allowed them into management and specialisms. This also meant that those doing highers also had a reasonable amount of experience under their belt . Graduates nowdays want to go straight in at the top with little to fall back on. Call me old fasioned , but the system worked very well.

As for a difference between chiopody and podiatry- its all in the mind!

cornmerchant( happy shuropodist)

 

To slightly return to the initial topic:
1: limitless (good quality-of course) coffee :drinks
2: a padded room to scream in :craig:
3:botox to keep the smile when you KNOW they havent followed the self-care advise, but they swear blind they have igs:

 

OK Guys,

See you at the next steering group - I'll be at the table. Will you?

 

Nope - thay are, as always, a waste of time. You have an ideal opportunity to make your case here and now, John, so why don't you start by answering the questions Simon asked yesterday?

 

Yep, lets start with a simple one: what's the difference between chiropody and podiatry?

 

1. Better calibre of student
2. Dont recruit new graduates to teach the stuff they have only just learnt !
3. encourage the movers and shakers to push for Podiatrists to expand skills at post graduate level for all practitioners

 

Its so simple that the HPC didn't get it right - even with the advantage of your advice!

This is not the place for this debate, despite your wish to explore it - read the TS, to which I responded.

 

FYI, I didn't advise on the HPC standards. It seems you cannot explain the differences between a chiropodist and podiatrist despite your previous claim that there was indeed such a difference. I'll leave it there. This thread has been most illuminating.:wacko:

Here's my three:

1. Close down the "schools" churning out foot health practitioners.
2. Obtain legal protection of job specification not just title.
3. Use dental model of NHS/ private practice care.

 

No? So why did you throw in your comments before your identity and vested interest was revealled? You see John, that's what wrong with the UK profession - people like yourself who cannot see further than their own bank account, prepared to snip and growl at every opportunity, but when the chips are down have nothing whatsoever to contribute to the future of the UK foot health industry. Like Rothbart and Shavelson and all the other selfish, egotistic, money-grabbing ar$eholes that blight this profession - John Falkner-Heylings, you're up there with the best of them. If just one member of the public reads this thread and realises what you are about and decides not to hand over their cash to enroll in one of your "courses" - I will be delighted.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-93435882.html

 

For you John:
A House- Love Quarry
"You can't see further than your next ambition
You're a mental acrobat with ____ addiction"

Mark:
Well said, sir (not Dr- right John?)

The great thing about titles is that when you are entitled to use them, you rarely feel the need to. Just for a change I'll use mine......

Merry Christmas,
Dr Simon K. Spooner

 

As I said gentlemen, I shall be at the table when the time to negotiate comes round. Your disapproval means little - by virtue of my position I shall be there. Vested interest? Yes! In changing the old order and letting the light in.

Incidentally Mark, that gutter-press article that you and others insist on publishing at every mention of my name raises fewer eyebrows with each event. The date 2002 might have something to do with that. It was nothing more than an attempt to discredit my enterprise by one member of a so-called professional body (now demised) that refused to represent its members properly in talks with the DofH. Are you really naiive enough to believe everything you read in the press? Or does it suit your prejudiced interest?

 

Which article? This article?:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-93435882.html