What does a Podiatrist do?
Published 4 min read
A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the feet and lower limbs. Podiatrists are also known as foot doctors or podiatric physicians.
Podiatrist job duties include:
- Examine patients' feet and ankles
- Diagnose foot and ankle problems, such as bunions, calluses, and ingrown toenails
- Prescribe medications and treatments, such as orthotic devices, for foot and ankle conditions
- Perform surgical procedures on the foot and ankle
- Advise patients on proper foot care, including hygiene and the selection of shoes
- Manage diabetic foot care
- Provide wound care for foot and ankle ulcers
- Rehabilitate patients following injury or surgery to the foot or ankle
- Educate patients on preventive foot care
Podiatrist Job Requirements
Podiatrists are required to have a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from an accredited podiatric medical school. In addition, they must complete a three-year residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery. Some states require podiatrists to be licensed. Certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) is available but not required.
Podiatrist Skills
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Pathology
- Dermatology
- Radiology
- Surgery
- Orthotics
- Prosthetics
- Injections
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
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How to become a Podiatrist
A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems. Podiatrists are also known as “foot doctors” or “foot and ankle surgeons.”
If you are interested in becoming a podiatrist, you will need to complete four years of undergraduate study, followed by four years of podiatric medical school. After graduation, you will be required to complete a three-year residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery.
The first step in becoming a podiatrist is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While there is no specific major required for admission into podiatric medical school, most students major in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is a standardized exam that all medical school applicants must take. Your score on the MCAT will play a large role in determining whether or not you are accepted into podiatric medical school.
Once you have been accepted into podiatric medical school, you will spend four years completing coursework and clinical rotations. During your clinical rotations, you will gain experience treating patients with foot and ankle problems. After graduation, you will be required to complete a three-year residency program in order to become board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
Podiatrists must be licensed in order to practice medicine in the United States. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, but all states require completion of an accredited residency program and passage of both written and oral examinations.
Podiatrists can choose to practice in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Many podiatrists also choose to teach at colleges and universities or conduct research in academic settings.
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