Podiatry
Podiatric surgeon performing reconstructive surgery | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names |
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Activity sectors | Medicine, sports medicine, orthopedics, plastic surgery, endocrinology, endocrinology, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, radiology, biomechanics, rheumatology, neurology |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Expertise in medicine, surgical skills, ethics, critical thinking, analytical skills, professionalism, management skills, and communication skills |
Education required | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine |
Fields of employment | Hospitals, private practices |
Podiatry (/poʊˈdaɪ.ətri/ poh-DY-ə-tree), also known as podiatric medicine and surgery (/ˌpoʊdiˈætrɪk, poʊˈdaɪ.ətrɪk/ POH-dee-AT-rik, poh-DY-ə-trik), is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower limb. The healthcare professional is known as a podiatrist. The US podiatric medical school curriculum includes lower extremity anatomy, general human anatomy, physiology, general medicine, physical assessment, biochemistry, neurobiology, pathophysiology, genetics and embryology, microbiology, histology, pharmacology, women's health, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, research, ethics and jurisprudence, biomechanics, general principles of orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and foot and ankle surgery.
Podiatry is practiced as a specialty in many countries. In Australia, graduates of recognised academic programs can register through the Podiatry Board of Australia as a "podiatrist", and those with additional recognised training may also receive endorsement to prescribe or administer restricted medications and/or seek specialist registration as a "podiatric surgeon".