Podiatrists Do It All

SurgeryPrimary CarePediatrics

Wound Care

DermatologySports

Medicine

Research

Radiology Trauma

Outline

• What is Podiatric Medicine?• What is a D.P.M.?• What is a typical day for a D.P.M.?• What’s the demand for foot & ankle

care?• How can you become a D.P.M.?

What is Podiatric Medicine?

• Medical and surgical care and treatment of the foot and ankle

• Sub-specialties include sports medicine, surgery, pediatrics, geriatrics, public health and general wellness

• An important part of the medical team

What is a D.P.M.?

• Doctor of Podiatric Medicine• More than just a “foot” doctor• Total health practitioner

– Conducts examinations– Prescribes medications, orthotics/braces– Performs surgery

Where will you find D.P.M.s?

• Private or group practices• HMOs, PPOs• Hospitals• Government such as

Public Health, VA, IHS etc.• Medical schools• Military

What is it like to be a D.P.M.?

A typical day

Who do DPMS Treat ?

Common Problems DPMs Treat

What is it like to be a D.P.M.?

• The education of a medical specialist• The variety of a general practitioner• The freedom of an entrepreneur• The rewards

– Relieving patients’ pain– Keeping people active– Outstanding earning potential

Why become a D.P.M.?

• Strong demand for podiatric physicians– Recent Workforce Study indicates a

need to increase the number of podiatrists

• Flexible work hours• Financial opportunities• Options in practice

Where can you study Podiatric Medicine?

• Miami Shores, Florida• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania• New York City• Independence, Ohio• North Chicago, Illinois• Des Moines, Iowa• Oakland, California• Glendale, Arizona• Pomona, California

What are the admission requirements?

• Complete at least three years (90 hours)of undergraduate study with emphasis on sciences or pre-med curriculum

• MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)

• Other exams may be accepted

What do D.P.M. students study?

• Year 1 & 2– Classroom instruction – Anatomy, Biochemistry, etc.

• Year 3 & 4– Clinical Skills, Patient Care– Physical Diagnosis, Surgery, Neurology,

Dermatology, Biomechanics, etc. • All with a focus on the

lower extremity

Is there a residency training

requirement?

• Upon graduation, podiatric physicians are required by nearly all states to complete at least two years of postgraduate residency training

• Residency programs range from two to four years in length

What is the licensing and certification process for D.P.M.s?

• National Boards are taken while inpodiatric medical school

• Most states also require a written and/or oral exam prior to licensure

• Board certification is available in orthopedics & primary medicine and in surgery

How can you apply to a college of podiatric medicine?

• Visit www. APMA.org, or www.AACPM.org, or any of the nine college websites

• Complete the online application• Take advantage of mentoring

opportunities through the DPM Mentor Network

What is the application process?

• Submit an application through the on-lineAmerican Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS)

• Letters of recommendation,

transcripts and a personal

interview are required

• Financial aid is available

at all schoolswww.aacpm.org

Information Resources

• www.apma.org/careers

• Shadowing opportunities