Proud to Be a Podiatrist: How Can the Profession Move Forward?

We all get asked what we do for a living at different times, but lately I’m fielding this question more often—seemingly, all at once. Most of the time, my response of, “podiatrist” garnered a nod, or even a question or two. One instance that became more involved took place while someone made small talk with me while waiting for a computer program to process.

She asked what I do, and I answered, “I’m a podiatrist.” I am pretty sure I heard crickets in response. Mind you, I wore a shirt with my orthopedic company’s logo on it, so one should at least assume that it is something in health care. Likely still trying to kill some time, she asked how long I have been doing that work, which I also answered. Her final question was, “Do you like being that? I guess you must if you have been doing it that long.”

Just as I was about to launch into a job description, the computer caught up and we both went on our way. Upon later reflection, I realized that I never experienced blank stares or looks when I first started out in the profession.

So, why does this reaction seem more common now? Thinking about that more, I remembered that I used to say, “foot and ankle doctor,” or “foot surgeon.” It has been a long, long time since I’ve said that. I say podiatrist now, and proudly. I am incredibly honored and privileged to help my patients strive to have healthy feet each and every day.

Lately, I have read or seen a lot of discussion regarding our profession in several forums and meetings. In my observation, these discussions often contain colleagues expressing a feeling of loss of interest in the practice of podiatry. It is certainly important to focus on student recruitment and enrollment. However, we must not forget about those of us actively in the profession. It is difficult to hear practicing colleagues express dissatisfaction, or even dislike, of our field. There is much work to be done to continue to recruit new students, improve satisfaction, and decrease burnout throughout one’s career. In fact, perhaps that is an entire future column.

On the other hand, I also see and hear several podiatrists reminding our colleagues that this is the profession we chose, and that there is much to be proud of. These same podiatrists are hard at work trying to ensure the future of the field they love. It seems that not a day goes by that I don’t happen upon a strong opinion either way. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am lucky enough to have this forum to share a bit more about mine.

I agree most wholeheartedly with my peers who express the opinion that podiatrists should be proud of what we do and who we are. I have heard contemporaries state that some of us are only podiatrists because we didn’t get into “regular” medical school. Too often, stories arise of podiatrists being told that they are not “real” doctors. I, myself, have experienced this. Nevermind that I got into an allopathic medical school and chose instead to become a doctor of podiatric medicine.

I won’t pretend that every day is perfect, but I can say that there is never a moment that I doubt my choice to study podiatry. I knew I wanted to be a doctor, and having a surgery myself in high school cemented the decision to become a podiatrist. I absolutely loved podiatry school, especially when we progressed to the clinical aspect. I mainly chose Veterans Administration hospitals for my externships and felt so at home, being able to truly help. Once I got to residency, podiatry was fully integrated at my hospital; so much so that with no surgery residents at the hospital, we found ourselves called in to scrub many different general surgeries. While I loved all our experiences, I always felt so much more at home when I got back to podiatric medical or surgical cases.

After graduating from residency, I joined a fairly large podiatry practice. This is where, especially for the first couple of years, if I was asked what I did, I said “foot and ankle surgeon.” I have now been at an orthopedic practice for several years as one of two podiatrists. At times, patients assume I am also an orthopedist. I am sure to state that I am a podiatrist and then show patients that podiatrists are vital in their foot health.

I hope that one day, with the right support and changes, more of my peers can see that podiatrists are vital in our patients’ lives; so we can all be enthusiastically proud to be podiatrists. 

Dr. Hook is a Trustee of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, Chair of the NYSPMA Population and Public Health Committee, and a sub-Chair of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine Membership Committee. She is Second Vice President of the American Association for Women Podiatrists and is in private practice at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists in Syracuse, NY.

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