The recent APMA/ACFAS delusion suggesting that podiatry students or residents were the recipients of an education similar to an M.D. is dangerous.
It is dangerous because it is a classic example of the old idiom, “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Dangerous to the public, dangerous to patients treated by podiatrists who believe (have been told) they have received anything close to the education and training of a medical student or resident. Nothing provides a summation of the ignorance of podiatry as a profession with regard to medical knowledge more than PM News. The advertisements for unproven and near quackery treatments, the advertisements for seminars and meetings run by frauds and near criminals, and worst of all, the questions and commentaries printed. Medical doctors are not all pure, many driven by profit over patient care. BUT THEY DO NOT HIGHLIGHT THESE OUTLIERS AND GIVE THEM AWARDS, INVITE THEM TO PRESENT AT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, PLACE THEM IN A HALL OF FAME.
There are variations to the classic idiom. Stephen Hawking famously noted “the greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance. It’s the illusion of knowledge”. The illusion, such as believing that adding a course in gynecology/obstetrics or psychiatry would equalize podiatry education to allopathic education. Dementia modified thinking. As for the residency directors and fellowship directors, Albert Einstein noted “the more the knowledge the lesser the ego, the lesser the knowledge the greater the ego”. Being a good technical bunion fixer through repetition of unnecessary surgeries is one thing. Making students, residents, and fellows bow prostate and kiss your ass is one thing. Knowledge of medicine ? Terry Pratchett wrote “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half as bad as a lot of ignorance”. Total ankle arthroplasty, Charcot joint surgery, surgery on victims south of the border ? Samuel Johnson noted “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing-it only hastens fools to rush in where angel’s fear to tread”.
There has been a failure to provide the practicing podiatrist (sorry you ACFAS boys – “foot and ankle surgeons”) with true education. Thanks to the APMA and ineffectiveness of the CPME, seminars fail to provide education – they provide marketing opportunities for corporations, hucksters, and the egomaniacal/megalomaniacal. People do however desire to learn. Frederick Douglas noted “a little learning indeed, may be a dangerous thing. But the want of learning is a calamity to any people”. And that means podiatrists.
I can actually see this as a status symbol for the dmp limousine liberals in my city! “Cindy, my goodness, your house smells like absolute shit.” “I know Becky, we’ve switched over to pure human waste natural gas-like Greta’s farts, it’s like so eco-friendly and so so green washed for virtue signaling!” “And an added benefit of it is everyone who enters our home immediately knows how earth conscious and propagandized we are!” “OMG Cindy I’m so jealous, I’m going to talk to Steven about switching over to it as well!” “Oh, BTW, where’s the flag and mask icons?”
Well that is an excellent summary of the EDUCATIONAL DELUSIONAL FRAUD OF PODIATRY. Many podiatrists never had access to, or association with, ACTUAL MD medicine. You think they know fluid replacements, blood gases or abdominal symptomology ECG or chest X ray reading to site just a few areas? So, when they went to quack college they had NOTHING TO COMPARE IT WITH. I suspect any HONEST pharmacist, medical technologists, RN’s etc/ who was trained in the entire field of medicine and the entire body which is REQUIRED to practice in those fields KNOW that podiatry school is SO LIMITED that… Read more »
What you say and have been saying is so very true. However, it’s wasted. Our best and only hope is to dissuade future students from this farce. Forget the educational level, we are not remotely equal on a financial level. Insurance companies group our fees in a special podiatry section. Some MD surgical fees are 2-3 times what is allowed to a podiatrist (foot and ankle surgeon). Their EM code levels are way over what we are allowed. The insurance companies limit the number of podiatrist’s in their plans, just like optometrists. Meanwhile, they actively recruit MDs. To all those… Read more »
For many decades podiatrist have told me they don’t collect co pays or bill the difference because they know if people have to pay podiatrists THEY USUALLY WON’T. They KNOW that nail and callus cutting can pretty much be done by anyone. They KNOW pods don’t deal with serious diseases for the most part. They KNOW pods will DISCOUNT. They KNOW there’s always the GOOD FEET STORE or a C. Ped. Pods have VERY LITTLE to offer that can’t be found in many venues. They know those cheap offices or “home” offices are signs of a weak BUSINESS. As long… Read more »
Wonderful post Seth. Very accurately captures the current state of podiatry. For decades the podiatry professions has deluded itself into believing something it is not. As Robert and others have previously stated, they give themselves plaques and titles, even induct one another into a Hall of Fame [sic]. Yet in reality nails are cut, foot impressions are taken and ani-fungal prescriptions are written. The podiatrists are not found on the code team. Probably a good thing, since from what I have been reading they can’t numb a toe. Imagine expecting a podiatrist to perform CPR or the Heimlich maneuver! I… Read more »
Alas, Justin. Kudos that you’ve adjusted and accepted the truth that podiatry is going nowhere except further below the P.A. level. I think you’re right to stay healthy, retire and enjoy life. Professional evolution is not part of that picture despite what lifers have been promising for a half a century. Those lies and liars make podiatry a dirty profession.
And of course, manufacture “surveys” and “top” lists to sell bullshit to the dumb as shit populace. Number #1 pizza joint in Buttfcuk town, from a “survey” of 11 people, also Gertrude and Edna love that pizza.
So, to the avg dumbo, the pizza must be good….
Are facts offensive ? Are you a slave to your paycheck ? Are you 1-2 paychecks away from moving back into the parent’s basement?