careernav.

General Description

This is an ideal career for analytical and logical thinkers. A podiatrist deals with prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the foot, ankle and leg. It is scientifically based, dealing with patients of all ages.

Career Advice - Podiatrist Career

Many podiatrists have a special interest in sports medicine, biomechanics, pediatrics, gerontology, diabetes or surgery. You work in public or private clinics and offer home visits for housebound patients. There is administration work, including the keeping of medical records for each patient.

What you do every day

Podiatry is very hands-on. As well as doing podiatric work, there are duties such as maintaining patient files, writing letters and referrals, and manufacturing of appliances or small devices.

Podiatry requires the effective use of sharp instruments, measuring and computer analysis equipment, and hypodermic needles.
 
You diagnose and treat skin and nail disorders including corns, calluses and ingrowing toenails. You treat injuries and conditions resulting from bone and joint disorders, soft tissue and muscular pathologies as well as circulatory and neurological diseases affecting the lower limb.

While most patients require general treatment and assessments, challenging cases come along regularly which may require collaboration with other health professionals. 

Personality that best fits this occupation

You should have a keen interest in health science, especially feet. You need to be pleasant and able to interact with elderly people and children. Being punctual, a good listener and having good communication skills is essential.

Being able to solve problems in a given time period, possessing the commitment to run a small business and being able to manage and handle pressure of patient workloads are all important attributes.

You need to enjoy working one on one. Having a little creativity will help with marketing and advertising ideas to enhance business. And finally, develop the skill to  to give talks to small groups to help promote your business, and the podiatric profession in general.

Best thing about this career

The most stimulating thing about podiatry is being able to alleviate the patient’s pain for minor foot problems instantly.  The main challenge is being efficient with treatment and time management of patient workload. There is an overall enjoyment working with the public. Assessing, diagnosing and treating to impress your patient leads to a good reputation and more patients.

Worst thing about this career

The worst thing about being a sole trader is keeping overheads low and burnout over years of running a busy practice. Initially you wear many hats: practitioner, receptionist, bookkeeper, cleaner, marketer, manufacturer of devices, stocktaking etc. In a shared practice there may be a receptionist, or a family member may come on board to keep costs down. 

Support staff are expensive, do not personally generate income for the business but keep the day running efficiently by helping with many duties, including interacting with patients, which gives you more time to see extra patients.