Why remarks that you disagree with are disturbing to you. It is called NOT regurgitating the spoon fed nonsense from those masters, leaders, and famers.
An MD and DO can do everything and anything on that foot and ankle complex. They do not need to complete podiatric post-school training program (AKA residency, AMA does not recognize it as a residency, that is ACGME approved).
Therefore, what do pods do that is so unique and so desirable to health execs in this current healthcare arena with exclusionary practices and pods being listed with chiros, optos, and PTs? In some states, pods are registered under same auspices/general board as real estate agents massage therapists, not the MEDICAL board -MD.
Cost cutting and ensuring lack of redundancy will be the constant drum beat. That is the current rythum of the band. ACO/medicaid/lack of physician status.
PA and NPs ARE doing podiatry--it is called cost-effectiveness, wound care, nails, nail avulsions, etc. and they are full scope.. and to echo doctornada's comment's yes, there are FP/IM and others doing basic podiatry surgeries, ingrowns, etc... then the orthos can do foot and ankle surgery.
They do NOT need a fellowship to do ankle scopes, tib-fib fx, os calcis fx, etc..orthos do this, but the remuneration for these surgeries is not sexy enough, therefore, pods step in, be opportunistic and do it. That is the podiatric niche.
However, would it be great for DPMs to have full scope and training to do this. enough of the clamor and typical podiatric emotional responses, get off the inferiority complex and start practicing and demanding MEDICAL training--VEGF, CXC chemokines, right a grant, publish a paper in a basic sci journal,get podiatric medicine out there. Enough of walkathoning and talkathoning, and flip flop fiascos--foot dentist or a physician? There is a fork in the road......
