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Podiatric tears and fears

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Tree Harris, Sep 9, 2009.

  1. Tree Harris

    Tree Harris Active Member


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    Prior to entering the world of Podiatry, I was a Registered nurse working in emergency situations (usually remote). I had an interest in foot care, and had the thought that Podiatry would allow me to "chill" in a lesser medical profession. Now- before I get condemmed- yes- I realise that absurdity of that statement. I understood that from Day one!!!

    My thread is this-
    Whilst I easily get bored with routine nail and corn/ HK palliation in private practice, I do have moments of abject terror (brief moments, but moments nonetheless) that I have missed something- especially in regards to melanoma in the feet or something with a similar potentially life threatening outcome.

    I would like to think I am being exeptionally concientous (and many that know me would know that I am no shrinking violet in confidence). But others could view my tears and fears as just plain paranoid- which is it?

    Does this "state of being" ever become lessened? And similarly- should it? Complacency can be a professional hazard.
     
  2. perrypod

    perrypod Active Member

    Just part of working alone. On the other side of the coin Isn't it great for the patient when you pick up something that others have missed, especially if it can be dealt with?
    Wishing you all the best.
    Colin P
     
  3. Tree Harris

    Tree Harris Active Member

    The sole practitioner is something that I have struggled with in Podiatry.
    Even when working within a large organisation with other pods, there remains the isolating factor within the treatment area.
    With nursing, you were often witnessed during procedures. As this was part of the environment you worked in, secrecy was never relevent. There was always something that someone knew how to do better, and this was shared on a regular basis.
    Even with updates and courses for Podiatry, I don't think that we have the same affinity to change subtle habitual clinical approaches.
     
  4. robert bijak

    robert bijak Banned

    Your diffidence is normal for a CONCERNED Podiatrist because sublimally you realize how weak Podiatric training is. The Pollyana Podiatrist still believes the MD doesn't know anything about the foot. This lie was spread from day one in Podiatry School. The truth is, you wouldl be doing the melanoma patient a real service by sending them to an expert MD dermatologist. Podiatirsts are a little above "triage Nurses" and refer skin, vascular and real trauma to real doctors. Yes, there are those few aberrant states where the "lecture circut" dpms come from that do more, but the majority of the profession can't cut above the malleoli and there's an argument in the profession whether giving Allopurinol is "systemic treatment", out of scope of Podiatry. If the National Health care axe is looking to save billions, the redundancy of Podiatry will be evident. And don't give me the Diabetic dribble that we are their saviours. With NP, PA, PT and even DC"S giving foot care Podiatry's strong hold ,NAIL CARE will even be lost. Realy, how long does it take to know how and when to cut toenails? Better education and a degree change is what is necessary. Oh yeah, and a dose of reality brainwashing. Those who live their life in their office with a punctated entree to do a minor surgery don't realize the depth of knowledge they lack. They wouldn't know a thalassemia for a positive coombs, ad infinitum.We certainly are LIMITED LICENSED PRACTIONERS, and its not just the license that's limited, IT'S THE EDUCATION!
     
  5. Sarah-Jane

    Sarah-Jane Member

    Hi Tree Harris

    I definitely feel the same way. I worked on my own for a while and it was very hard so I know how you feel. I now work with another podiatrist so I'm lucky. But I still have those feelings of whether I made the best decision or if I missed anything. I'm not sure if it will ever go away.....i think I'm a natural worrier.

    I think its a good thing to be consientious about it. You're not paranoid, you're just trying to do a good job.
     
  6. Donnchadhjh

    Donnchadhjh Active Member

    Sarah and Tree,

    Having been in similar positions I can appreciate how you feel. The "worry" is that of somebody who cares.
    The fact is if in doubt - refer on to someone who knows better - or at least pick up the phone and ask.
    Nobody is going to sue you for not knowing or even worse making a pointless referral to someone else, but they may sue you for missing something and not following it up (more importantly to me is the ability to sleep soundly at night). Isolation isn't uncommon in our profession but that only makes networking and communication more important.

    Duncan

    PS: Just raving.
     
  7. pgcarter

    pgcarter Well-Known Member

    Complacency is always a risk, having that drive to check and keep learning is what makes for a better practitioner. Just because you are not a medical doctor does not mean that you cannot make yourself quite expert at a range of things. I gave a talk to a bunch of medical registrars recently and they have holes in their education big enough to drive trucks through so don't allow your self to be patronised either. It is about education and medical schools are far from the only places you can get it.
    regards Phill
     
  8. dgroberts

    dgroberts Active Member

    So basically, what you're saying is, we are a waste of space?

    I knew I should have trained to be a dentist instead....bugger:bang:

    The way your post is written makes you sound a bit.....weird?
     
  9. robert bijak

    robert bijak Banned

    RE: Waste of Space. I prefer and believe redundant is more accurate. Were those who said the "Emperor has no clothes!" or Me thinks the world is round writing weird? At least dentists only do dentistry with little other competition, and the dentist is the true specialist in that area.
     
  10. Robert:

    Please speak for yourself when you say that podiatrists are "redundant". It is really too bad that you don't have a high enough opinion about yourself and the others on this forum to realize how important the international podiatric profession is to the health of the public. Where are you from and where did you train in podiatry school? Are all the podiatrists you know "redundant"?
     
  11. Donnchadhjh

    Donnchadhjh Active Member

    To me your post summarises that no Podiatry clinician graduates as an expert in the field. I think that is an unrealistic expectation of anybody in any field to be a world renowned expert on graduation - that is why graduates are usually supervised and placed in multi-chair clinics where there is someone next door to help, and guide them particularly in the uncommon and difficult lower limb cases such as MM.
    Our respected peers such as Craig and Kevin et al have worked and studied for years in their field - everybody has to start somewhere.

    Hmm... 2 posts - both less than constructive with very little evidence around to back up the words - Two things seem likely to me.

    Firstly, you have never been to see a Podiatrist at work - possibly never even spoken to one because you have no idea about our competencies, our scope of practice or our limitiations in our level of care to our patients.
    Secondly, with the two posts to your "name" - you have come here intentionally looking for an arguement.
     
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