Podiatrists are doctors who specify in treating conditions of the lower leg and foot. They also identify illnesses in such areas and are capable of performing surgery on the lower extremes. Podiatrists examine a patient’s medicinal history and evaluate the condition of the patient’s ankle, foot, or lower leg using x-rays or additional lab tests.
As part of the management, podiatrists may recommend orthotics or medication to increase mobility. Should you select to become a podiatrist, you will be accountable for checking the patient’s lower legs and feet for difficulties involving related to joints, bone, and muscles.
In other cases, they might need to function surgery to repair correct deformities, fractures, and more. They might be required to work with other healthcare specialists to help identify larger medical conditions in their patients, like diabetes. Podiatrists will stay present with research in the field by reading articles, attending seminars, and even contributing to research.
How to Become a Podiatrist in Simple Steps?
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
A bachelor’s degree is the initial higher-education step to become a Podiatrist. Although applicants come from a broad range of apprentice majors, students must complete courses the American Association of Podiatric Medical Colleges found most qualified schools need as prerequisites: chemistry, biology, written, physics, and oral communications.
During their undergraduate degree, apprentices wanting to get an edge in the competitive admissions group will benefit from taking career and unconventional education oriented steps such as joining pre-medical companies, shadowing podiatrists, completing community service, and studying for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). Before advancing, a candidate must apply to a College of Podiatric Medicine.
Step 2: Complete an Accredited Doctor of Podiatric Medication Degree
Much like in old-style medical schools, students will have to spend two years, mostly in the classroom, taking courses such as pathology, anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology. The 3rd and 4th years are dedicated to podiatry specific scientific rotations, revealing students to diverse types of specialties and practices.
During clinical rotations, students learn how to perform, interpret and administer diagnostic tests effectively, physical exams, diagnose diseases, and offer treatment.
Step 3: Complete a Residency
Following podiatry school, licensure candidates must complete a 2-4 year residency. Residencies provide unconventional training and permit for more practical experience, such as surgery. As per the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, residents emphasize a variety of areas and how they connect to the bodies’ lower edges; Podiatrists in each state should be licensed.
Podiatrists will have to pay a fee and pass all parts of the (APMLE)American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam, offered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Few of the states also require podiatrists to take a state-specific exam.
Step 4: Secure a License and Certification
Licensing requirements differ by state, but several states will grant mutuality to individuals licensed in other states. Usually, license applicants require to successfully pass both oral and written exams required for license renewal. Many podiatrists choose to become board certified offered by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Certification usually requires a mixture of passing an exam and work experience.
[Also Read: Things You Need to Know Before You Become a Physician Assistant ]
Career Outlook and Salary Information
With more people being identified with type II Diabetes each day, the requirement for qualified podiatrists is increasing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for podiatrists are anticipated to increase by 23 percent between 2013 and 2022, which the BLS categorizes as much quicker than average. The elderly population is also expected to in demand for medical and care of the foot and ankle.
Do you wonder how much a podiatrist make does? Well, as per the BLS in May 2018, the BLS reported that specialists in the 90th percentile or advanced earned $308,000 each year, whereas the lowest 10th percentile made $52,060 or less each year.
Job opportunities in the field of podiatry are expected to increase as quickly as the national average through 2028. The BLS also expects demand due to the requirement of patient surgery, which podiatrists can function. And as lifetimes extend, more senior citizens will visit podiatrists.
Podiatrists Job Description
Most podiatrists work in group or private practice. Some work in outpatient care facilities and some in hospitals. They can also be found in nursing homes and extend-care facilities.
Podiatrists typically do the following:
- Measure the disorder of a patient’s feet, ankles, or lower legs by studying the patient’s medical history and performing a physical examination
- Diagnose ankle, foot, and lower leg difficulties through x rays, physical exams, medical laboratory tests, and additional methods.
- Provide treatment for leg and ankle ailments to improve a patient’s mobility
- Perform ankle and foot surgeries, such as removing bone limbs, fracture maintenances, and rectifying other ankle and foot malformations
- Organize patient care with physicians
- Refer patients to specialists or physicians if they detect greater health difficulties, like vascular or diabetes disease
Conduct read journals, research, and attend sessions to keep up with improvements in podiatric surgery and medicine. (1)
Conclusion:
As a growing number of Americans have problems with their mobility and feet, there will always be demand in the field. Podiatry, as a medical specialty, has unconventional greatly over the last forty years. You can focus on a specialist area like primary care, surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics or geriatrics, and diabetic foot care.
