Most people don’t give their feet much thought until they have an injury. They are unaware that it contains one-fourth of the human body’s bones as well as 33 different joints. It’s a highly complex device, and only a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) is fully qualified to assist with repairs. A podiatrist is a well-respected member of the medical community, and earning a DPM degree takes time.
Obtaining an undergraduate degree and maintaining a high grade point average is the typical path to becoming a podiatrist. A student must have completed at least 90 semester hours of college credit to be considered for admission. At least eight hours of class and lab work in biology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physics, and English are required by the minimum standards.
Following that, one will take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and apply to the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service for admission (AACPMAS). The AACPMAS is the admissions office for the United States’ eight colleges of podiatric medicine, as well as a liaison with 200 teaching hospitals. Individual applications will be received from each college, and the prospective podiatrist will begin the process of submitting transcripts, undergoing personal interviews and reviews, applying for financial aid if necessary, and touring the various campuses and facilities.
If accepted to one of these schools, students will spend at least four years in a podiatric medical school, where they will study anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology. Students will take classes in surgery, sports medicine, orthopedics, biomechanics, radiography, and a variety of other related fields as their education progresses. There are also numerous labs, seminars, and practical rotations that must be completed. General health, geriatrics, and diabetes care are examples of such areas and specialties.
The degree of DPM is earned after graduating from podiatric school. However, only a portion of the training and testing has been completed. At this point, the DPM must pass national and state exams and complete a post-graduate residency program at an approved hospital or university-affiliated health institution. In general, obtaining a DPM will take at least ten years, culminating in certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
Finally, the podiatrist’s years of training will begin to pay off, and he will be able to set up shop. Many podiatrists choose to work independently or as part of a multi-physician practice. However, because a board certified podiatrist is in high demand by hospitals, health management organizations (HMOs), and other managed care facilities, there are many options.