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Dear Forum,

In this Thursdays Independent newspaper (16th December 2004) an attempt was made to promote our profession to the general public. I and many of my colleagues with whom I have discussed this with have our own views on the article, however I would be intruiged to hear anyones comments on the article and their views on how they feel this report represents our profession -in particular the views of our colleagues who do not practice in the UK?

The link for everyones convenience is -

http://jobs.independent.co.uk/career...p?story=593518

Kind regards,

Neil

The background to this is that the Indy wants the money from adverts for Podiatry Posts, Private and Public.

I am sure most practices received an e-mail from their career advertising section.

Yours cynically

Akbal


PS most people would not have gone past the first sentence.

I certainly received an email from this source.
I noticed in the article that Trevor Prior sometimes removes puss from wounds
There's a procedure I'd like to observe :) .
Cheers,
David

I was particularly interested by the comments made by the biomechanics 'specialist', especially in the closing lines of the article. What are your thought on this David/Akbal/Forum?

Neil.

Hi all

Naff article, consultant this, chief that, private the other, let them spend a day with a pod who works in the community, domicillary or otherwise as opposed to pristine white-washed walls and patents specially selected for their no fuss 'text-book' symptoms blah blah blah!

Cheers

David (just as cynical as Akba) D

To be fair David they have all done this so they do understand your position.

I am only cynical about the reasons the article appeared in the first place, the independent (a great paper by the way) is considering it's own revenue rather than the podiatry professions.

Akbal

Overall, I thought the article typical of those which appear from time to time.
I'm not sure I like the term "specialist", unless if refers to an NHS-grade, or a pod in possession of a higher degree which relates to their specialism.

Claims made by biomech "specialists" (or specialists - see above) are difficult to prove or refute, and it's probably wisest not to make specific claims unless in possession of cast-iron scientific proof by which to defend yourself against the inevitible flak!
Cheers,
David

Just to echo Akbal on this one - we've all done this type of community podiatry, and I don't see that there is much wrong with those who have additional quals (surgery for example) holding an NHS Consultant's post.
Cheers,
David

So what? The supposition that the Independent wants money from advertising revenue doesn't negate the fact that it was good public relations. That's how news organisations work! Given all that you have written in recent weeks, trying to elicit support for a PR campaign through an increase in professional subscriptions, I find your response here quite unbelievable! A distinct smell of green cheese in the air today?

Podiatry has never made great news copy before, primarily because, with the exception of a few members like Cameron Kippen et al., the profession has failed to make the case for promoting itself on the public stage. Congratulations to Trevor and the others for a good sound article.

Mark Russell

Akbal and David

Point taken, I half retract my statement, but don't quote me on that

cheers

David D

Mark,

If the Indy becomes the place to look for jobs in the state and private sector, which is the aim of this article and the e-mails, then Podiatry Now will loose a substanial source of income. Who ends up paying?

The Membership of the Society!! We loose by having to pay more towards the journal.

The more of this the better eehh? I suggest that you read between the lines next time, not all is as it may seem.

Good stuff. Let me know when the aliens are coming.

Hi All,

I liked the article in general. Could have done with more mention of the satisfaction we get from patients going away 'walking on air' after treatment.
Ok maybe we (podiatrists) hear it all the time and it might sound trite but our job is unique in that most of our patients experience immediate relief after treatment.
Podiatry ain't 'sexy' but our patients really do appreciate us.

Have a Cool Yule when it comes.
John

I can't see anyone paying to advertise in the Independent when there is a journal that does get to all SCP members at least. Though the journal is ridiculously expensive to place a vacancy add i can't image the Indy being cheaper. The jobs pages in the journal are the most often read i would say as well. If the Indy wants to speculatively promote our profession in the vain hope we'll one day line their pockets lets not discourage them. It all beats seeing stuff like 'pronation, the technical term for a twisted ankle.' and other such misinformation I've seen, more normal for the papers. Though if i see another 'best feet forward' heading I'll scream.

Neil

It was interesting to note, for all the positive promotion of the profession to draw in new recruits, the paper failed to spell "Podiatry" correctly in the University College Northampton recruitment advertisement nearby. Fancy a career in "Podiatory" anyone?

Beats the "chiropodist puts his foot in it" headline which I incurred in my local rag for a minor transgression of the law a few years ago!
Cheers,
David :)

Quote:
Originally posted by Mark Russell:
Podiatry has never made great news copy before, primarily because, with the exception of a few members like Cameron Kippen et al., the profession has failed to make the case for promoting itself on the public stage. Congratulations to Trevor and the others for a good sound article.


I'm sorry Mark - did you not read the same article as me??? Dont get me wrong, I'm all for promotion and I agree with you that the profession fails at self-promotion, but this was far from being a half decent article let alone a good sound one. I'd go back to the tabloids son.

It is the pantomime season. Presumably the article was referring to Puss in Boots. - Oh no it wasn't. Oh yes it was.

They say that no publicity is bad publicity, so let's hope that the Indy get what they want and then proceed to offer more, and more positive articles.

have a good Christmas.

Bill Liggins

Quote .......but this was far from being a half decent article let alone a good sound one. I'd go back to the tabloids son.



like I sais naff article, how would the sun or daily star present this I wonder??

Cheers

David D

Well, I guess it's all about perspective and given that the article was targeting prospective students as opposed to the established workforce, perhaps we shouldn't be overly critical at the way some of the minutae of biomechanical theory was presented.

Hey Guys, Guys, Guys! Listen up a mo. This article, while rubbing up a raw nerve in several very familiar places, from a journalistic/member of public point of view actually wasn't too bad. All right, I know it said how jolly wonderful the profession was and how we'd all drive Maseraties (?) and how we can all ask for the pay we want etc, but it did also touch on the general and specialist scope of practice of the humble sheropodist which is a bit more than most of these articles do. Hands up all those who've been asked 'Do you need any training for this job?' as you sit praying the LA's going to take in the next 15 secs because you're already 24 mins behind in an overbooked clinic... The point is, while it wasn't great, it wasn't totally useless either. Witness the debate about PR on the SOCAP site.
Yours Sam
PS Can anybody tell me how to use the symbols above the mode thingys?