How to become a Podiatrist in the USA?

Podiatry is a branch of health care dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists, the health professionals who practice podiatry, are trained to address a wide range of conditions that affect the lower extremities. Podiatry plays a crucial role in maintaining mobility and quality of life, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and vascular diseases. Healthy feet are essential for overall well-being, and podiatrists work to prevent, diagnose, and treat problems that could lead to more serious health issues if left untreated. Podiatrists collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care for patients with foot and ankle problems. They may work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and sports medicine centers. Becoming a podiatrist requires a significant commitment to education and training, but it leads to a rewarding career in a specialized area of medicine focused on foot and ankle care. Podiatry does vary from country to country in its scope of practice, access to different treatment modalities and the requirements to become qualified as a podiatrist.

In the USA to become a Podiatrist you need to follow a specific educational and training pathway. First you need to earn a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a focus on pre-medical courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy. These courses are prerequisites for admission to podiatric medical school. It is also helpful to gain experience through extracurricular activities such as volunteering, shadowing a podiatrist, or working in a healthcare setting. Next you need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as most podiatric medical schools in the USA require the MCAT. Prepare and take this exam, which assesses your knowledge of science, reasoning, and writing skills. After that you can then apply to attend a Podiatric Medical School’s Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program. This is a 4-year DPM that in the first two years focuses on classroom-based education in basic sciences and clinical medicine. In the last two years you gain clinical experience through rotations in various medical settings, including podiatry clinics and hospitals. After earning your DPM degree, you must complete a 3-year residency program. During this residency, Podiatrists receive extensive training in podiatric surgery, wound care, sports medicine, and other relevant areas.

After completing the residency, you must pass the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam (APMLE), which includes three parts. Part I covers basic sciences and is usually taken after the second year of podiatric medical school. Part II focuses on clinical sciences and is taken in the final year of podiatric medical school and Part III is taken during residency, and this part assesses clinical skills and patient management. Each state has specific licensing requirements, so you'll need to apply for licensure in the state where you plan to practice.

It is then optional to pursue Fellowship or additional certification with specialized fellowships to pursue additional training in specialized areas such as diabetic foot care, sports medicine, or reconstructive surgery. After completing the residency, you may seek board certification from organizations like the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) or the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). Once you've obtained your license, you can begin practicing as a podiatrist, either by joining an existing practice, working in a hospital, or starting your own practice. Podiatrists must engage in continuing education to maintain their licensure and stay updated with the latest advancements in the field.

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.