A podiatrist Vermont or podiatry doctor is a specialist medical professional dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the lower leg, foot, and surrounding structures of the lower limb. The word originally originated in North America but is now the generally accepted term throughout the English-speaking globe for podiatrists of podiatry. Podiatry also includes other specialties such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, sports medicine, geriatrics, and pediatric orthopedics.
To practice podiatry in the United States, a graduate degree from an accredited Podiatry School and completion of two years of post-high school education are required. In most states, licensure is granted by the State Board of Medicine and requires no further medical education or specialized training. There are a few states that require board certification, and in these states, a doctor must have at least two years of experience in podiatry, surgery, diagnostic work, and one year of specialized training in critical care.
The primary scope of practice of a podiatrist is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system and foot. They diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions, including traumatic injuries, arthritis, fractures, sprains, mallet toes, hammer toe, plantar fasciitis, corns and calluses, bursitis, tendonitis, injured tendons, and ankle and foot pain. They treat injuries of the foot by prescribing customized footwear and making recommendations for stretching, exercise, and weight management. Podiatrists may also refer patients to physical therapists or osteopaths for the treatment of bone disorders.
A licensed podiatrist can choose to specialize in a particular area such as orthopedics, pathology, neurosurgery, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, foot and ankle surgery, or ophthalmology. Podiatry Box Hill doctors complete an educational program at an approved Podiatry School and obtain a license to practice in their respective state. A number of colleges and universities offer Podiatry degrees, and there are many Podiatry schools and clinics throughout the United States.
Students who wish to become a podiatrist should enroll at an Auckland University which has a Bachelor of Science in Podiatry within the recognised Accredited Programs of New Zealand. At Auckland University, you will study a Bachelor of Science in Podiatry, which includes the core subjects of Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Chemistry, Genetics and Physiology, and Medical Practices. As part of your Bachelor of Science in Podiatry, students will be given the opportunity to choose electives from a list of prerequisites, depending on the particular area of podiatry you wish to specialise in. After completing your Bachelor of Science in Podiatry at Auckland University, you can apply for a job in any area of podiatry from there.
If you wish to be certified as a podiatrist from an Accredited Program, you will need to obtain a master’s degree from an accredited Podiatry School or Clinic. You must pass a written final examination given by the Accredited Program in order to successfully earn your master’s degree, and then take a national board exam in order to become a Podiatrists’ registered doctor. To become a full-fledged doctor, a person must also complete an additional four years of postgraduate studies at an approved medical specialty university in order to complete a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine.