Indeed, the field of doctoring is so vast. It is very likely that one will get lost in just the names of professions. Whether it is a surgeon, a psychiatrist, a cardiologist, a podiatrist or, some other type of doctor, they are all specialized in a particular subject.
If, in this case, you intend to make a career in doctoring, you have a wide range of options to select the type of profession you would want to have a specialization.
Here, we are going to focus on one type of profession- that is, the podiatrist. Are you new to this term? Worry not! From its meaning to its practices, we have covered it all that would educate you on this profession. Let us begin by understanding who are podiatrists and what do they do.
Who is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is someone who specializes in dealing with foot difficulties and injuries.
What is the job role of a podiatrist?
They are specialists who tackle problems that cause difficulties in your lower legs and the feet. They use medical treatments to cure the issue. Moreover, they also can attend complications and injuries caused by endless health problems. Such as diabetics. Perhaps, these professionals are known as the doctor of podiatric medicine or the podiatric physician.
These podiatrists also work in tandem with other specialists to handle any matters affecting the lower legs or the feet. For example, a podiatrist in a Kew podiatry and sports centre will perform surgery, handle leg fractures and repair the broken bones, and prescribe medications. Apart from that, they can also request lab tests and X-rays. Therefore, a podiatrist can perform every other task a regular doctor does.
Are they recognized as doctors?
Yes, they are known as the foot doctors. However, they do not attend the traditional medical academic to get qualified. Thus, there are private medical schools and professional institutes training an individual to build their career as a podiatrist.
Besides this difference, there is a title distinction as well. A medical doctor will have an “MD” attached to their names, while a podiatrist will have a “DPM”- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Hence, they are licensed by the government to verify their authentic services.
What is the educational ladder in becoming a podiatrist?
Students schooling who visualize a career in doctoring, undoubted, take up the science subjects for their finals. They are physics, chemistry, biology, and human biology. Furthermore, they get a bachelor’s degree in either biology or a related science subject. Hence, this is the most basic requirement an individual should possess to become a podiatrist.
The next step is to get enrolled in podiatry medical school and study for four years. The studies usually cover how the nerves, muscles, and bones are interconnected. Therefore, they know how to diagnose the issue and tackle an injury. Thus, following this, the final goal is to work in the hospital. However, one must initially work in the hospital for three years, under observation. Hence, this intern-like procedure is also known as the residency.