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I am a confused podiatry student, stuck on whether to continue with podiatry or change to another health profession. I have done 1st yr of a pod course already and have defered to explore other health courses. I just wanted some feedback on what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing podiatry. I am concerned that once graduated i will get bored doing the routine private practise things eg, toe nails, HK etc and will waste 4 years getting a degree, only to quit. Are there many other areas besides private practise, hospitals amd the specific areas like sports, and surgery that pods can do? Opportunities in general health promotion or admin? My parents are really pushing for me to continue podiatry as i would make a good living. They have this vision of me earning 150 grand in a nice private practise, is this really possible? I have researched and asked around a bit, and found that the majoity of pods were making 60 grand which is like most other allied health professionals.

I definately like health and helping people, espically elderly people,so i know im on the right track at least. But i know im the kind of person that needs variety and flexiblity in what i do, which i am unsure podiatry can provide me. Any feedback on my dilema would be greatly appreciated. thanks
mel

Have a look at these threads:
Return to podiatry....?
Aspiring Podiatrist - Help!

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Dear Confused Pod

You raise valid concerns, that are best contemplated now, rather than once you graduate.

I graduated about 13yrs ago, and there would be less than 30% of my graduating class still practicing in podiatry - some have quit to have babies, others have gone on to be "real" doctors, and the rest still working make good money in varied positions both public and private.

In Australia, you have the oppourtunity to choose a variety of pathways in podiatry - but work is work, any job has its mundane sides, and doing the same thing all the time (eg sports injury, podiatric surgery, geriatric care) will become mundane. My philosophy is to try and see *all* types of patients - variety is the spice of life. Is your motivation is money, you will really need to look at private practice, where your income is only limited by your business accumen.

You should look at potential postgraduate opportunities to specialise in podiatric surgery:

Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons

or Sports Medicine:

Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine

Don't worry though - you're in first year and yet to be exposed to the true scope of practice in podiatry.

Hope this gives you some direction and reassurance.

LL

Hi confused.
Don't become a Podiatrist for the money. There are many easier ways to make a fortune.

I qualified at the age of 21. My first job was pretty mundane, but my father had a small Private Practice which I joined 18 months after I first qualified.
This was OK, and gave me a feel for how I would prefer to work.
Certainly over the years I've had ups and downs, even left Pod at one time to work in a sports injury environment, but I soon returned. I can honestly say I love the type of work I do, and get great satisfaction from treating the problems which are sent my way.

Does Podiatry pay well?
Depends on the type of work you do. In my experience the more post-grad training you do the better you are rewarded.
Regards,
davidh

Mel, there are many opportunities within Government Health Depts for graduates with health qualifications. The link below allows you to search for relavent Vic Gov jobs, if you want to be a bureaucrat http://www.careers.vic.gov.au/

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Hi Mel,

I have come to the conclusion that if you want to make 150k+ working as strictly a podiatrist you will have a hard time reaching that. THat said, not many professional allow that to occur anyhow (By this i mean, working for someone else or not running a business). I guess as a Dentist you can, and a hard working Gp and of course a specialist. What really makes the differnce is your business skills. Podiatry is like any other business. Services and products for fees. Sell more, make more money. There are quite a few pods out there who would never claim to be the best pods going round but there business's are making far far more than 150K a year.

Most people on 150K+ a year have moved away from there original professional and just end up managing others anyhow.

cheers


Tom

Hi interesting that you think private practice is doing routine nails and callus? As previously mentioned any work done cosistently may become mundane but at our private practice we are continually confronted with different, interesting, and challenging new pts, many pts we will team and conference about as we think through something that we have not seen before. My kids have been taught that only boring people can get bored???!! hmmm just our thoughts

I like this:

Hi Mel,

I graduated 13 years ago and work in private practice. I love the work that I do and it is definitely not boring. I may be a little different in that I work in a rural area, about 400kms from the nearest podiatrist and I'm the only pod in the town. So you can imagine that I see the lot. The average day contains about 50% routine treatment and the other 50% is the rest of the podiatry scope. Its a great mix. The routine stuff is easy money once you become skilled at it and is a rest for the mind as its often (not always) a bit less demanding on brain power. So for me, work has a balance between being relaxed and challenging. And it is always enjoyable.

You may find that you enjoy the warm fuzzy every 30 mins as patients walk out much happier than they walked in. This is my favourite part of the job. Unlike other jobs which are thankless tasks. Almost 100% of my patients are thankful and express their gratitude in even a very small way - its wonderful.

And you may find that you enjoy the relationships you form with your regulars.

One down side is (for me at least) neck pain - so set yourself up with a damn good patient chair to reduce the strain.

I don't have a huge income though (about $50,000). It bothers me a bit but it would bother me more if I found it a chore to come to work every day for the rest of my life. As the other posts have mentioned, if you are a little more business-minded than me possibly, there would be more to make. But be careful of forcing yourself into become more of a salesman than a service provider - there is a balance between the two that you must find.

Good luck in your decision.

Dear Mel,
I am a 3rd year podiatry student, and still love it!(apart from the essays!) I was a little unsure just like you, but gave it time, and really started to enjoy it once the hands on side came into action!
I say stick it out... see how you feel after your first few practicals, and make your decision after that. I have fallen in love with helping people... there's nothing better than having a patient come in to you almost in tears with pain, and walking out with a smile on their face! We are one of very few professions that offer that too!..think about it... you go to a GP, and walk out with a prescription... and a dentist... you walk out with a throbbing jaw...
And as far as money goes...It wouldn't matter what your job was.. as long as you try to be the best at it, the benefits will come your way! (thats my motto anyway!) So stick with it!
hope this helps!
Cheers,
Amy

Dear confused Mel,

I'm wondering if all the above writings have helped with your decision or do you still need more help??

I am going to give you my thoughts anyway!!

I have been a Pod in a regional area now for 17 years. After my 1st year out I was ready to throw in the towel as I found it really boring doing just the mundane toenail stuff that continued to come through the doors of the community health centre. I was promptly told by my dad to shut up whinging and do something about changing the situation! Since Podiatry has such huge scope, I focused on what I really wanted to do...which was educating patients, and after some slow but methodical changes to a service that had been the same since Noah was a boy, we now have a very good service that is far from boring and does fantastic and innovative things to help people who are Podiatry clients.

I love my job, and since Podiatrists are as scarce as hens teeth in the country, the rural regions can be your oysters if you want some challenges!

Work hard and have a realist plan....if its only about the $$$ perhaps you should play the stock market!

I'd like to know what you decide to do. Best of deciding luck to you!

Kym

Thanks for all the helpful advice to everyone that replied. Your responses have made me think about the good and bad sides of podiatry. I definately want to help people and i never really thought about how satisfying it would be as a pod to make some one feel alot better and ease their pain. I guess there really aren't alot of jobs that offer that kind of instant reward and gratification for your efforts. I like that i can have my own business and ive definately learnt from your responses that im not goin to be a millionaire. I just want some security i guess and the knowledge i can live the kind of lifestyle i want, which involves lots of travelling! :)

Does anybody know in what countries australians can work as pod's. I know u cant in america and canda because theyare doctors, but is it a possiblity in england/europe or is it a very complicated and lengthy process?

The comment that only boring people get bored, definately made me think. I guess every situation is what u make of it. Im a hardworking person and so if i put everything i have into podiatry and seek out variety with my job, i think i will really enjoy the profession. I still have the worry that i iwill finish the course and not practise in it, but that could happen with any course i guess. People these days tend to have more than 1 career anyway.

Thanks to everyone again and i will more then likely continute my studies in podiatry next year. Thanks
mel :)