in case anyone is interested . . .

Nurse Practitioners are not qualified to do everything a family doctor is qualified to do; nurses, including nurse practitioners, are trained in the classroom according to the NURSING model; allopathic/osteopatic physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, and physician assistants are instructed according to the MEDICAL model (there is a big difference). While I do agree that nurse practitioners are trained, according to the NURSING model, to diagnose and treat patients, I do not believe that they are equavilent to FP's as far as diagnosing and treating. Why? Because I have been misdiagnosed by NP's on more than one occasion; I do not see them anymore; I either see a PA or MD. This is my experience, but I know quite a few nurses and I did extensive research; it is not my intent to bad-mouth nurses (they provide a needed service), but to correct the notion that NP's are equivalent to FP's, because they are not.

I say this to bring up an important point: DMP's are trained in the medical model, and are very competent to treat medical ailments of the foot. I think it would help DMP's to focus on this aspect when faced with competition from other occupations.

I am planning to attend OD school. Just like OD's DPM's are considered non-physican health care providers who are trained in the medical model. I am bringing up this similarity because OD's have been successful in focusing on primary care, not surgery; I have noticed on this site that DMP's need surgery to be board certified and get on insurance plans. Is it possible for podiatry to explore any primary care/preventative medicine options, or niche surgery options (sorry, my knowledge of the inner workings of podiatry is limited) so orthos would see it as more of a complimentary relationship rather than a competitive one? I bring this up because many OD's/OMD's have similar arrangements and the OD profession, overall, is doing fine because of it. Also, OD's have been very successful regarding scope of practice issues. I think this is a major concern for all non-physician health care providers; this may be something else that podiatry could be more vigilant about. (I apologize if I offend anyone with the term "non-physican health care provider," but if one is not a MD/DO, but diagnoses and treats patients, then "non-physican health care provider" is the appropriate term.)

Also, I perused our network provider booklet (just received it) because my husband has hammertoes and an infection that causes his toenails to fall off. There are 4 podiatrists in it! I am pleasantly surprised because I noted in a previous post that none of my prior insurances offered podiatry coverage. I know it may not be much, put we're going to a podiatrist to get his feet straight. I think this is great that we have this option.