I've read this board for 4 years now. This is my first post. Read it, you might like it...

That's not entirely accurate, I've probably only logged on to read this board a dozen times or so in the last 4 years.

I'll be graduating from NYCPM this spring.A classmate of mine gave me a link to this board around the beginning of school - he was concerned about what was expressed here, and what might become of him later on. Since I was so "pro-podiatry", he asked my opinion. At first, I didn't know quite what to tell him, and then it dawned on me - the guys who had nothing nice to say about the profession, clearly had nothing to do all day. You know, things like work, or read, or spend time with family. I think that hit home, and he'll be graduating with the rest of us in a few weeks.

I have just a few random comments to make, regarding schooling, residencies, and practice. Just so you know where this is coming from, I'll be up front and tell you that I come from a "podiatry family" - I have a parent who's a podiatrist, and he's been successful personally (meaning he likes what he does) and financially (meaning he makes a good living). (He's hiring too, read the journal - slackers need not apply!)

Comment #1: "The school's don't prepare the students for reality." Often repeated here, but not particularly truthful. Our MD colleagues that we rotated with at the hospitals were equally clueless. Some of them will do shorter residencies than we will, so I'm not sure they will be given an opportunity to acquire a clue either. So, either the entire medical profession is clueless, or podiatrists, like other doctors, need to find their own way once they graduate.

Comment #2: "There are no residencies, there are no surgical residencies, there are not enough surgical residencies." Not true today. Might have been true a few years ago. Most of my class matched, the folks who didn't match had a surprisingly large amount of good programs to choose from, many of which included a surgical year. The new residency requirements will ensure that everyone gets a residency that leads to board certification, which is a good thing. I matched, I'm doing a PPMR and a PSR-24.

Comment #3: "Better get used to cutting toenails." True! Finally, you guys got something right here. Toenails comprise a significant portion of podiatry practices, even for the super surgeons that do 200-300 cases a year. Here's the funny part though - I wonder how many of you knuckleheads notice the dermatological problems and biomechanical issues that your routine care patients have. Is it just a chore to you, or do you truly intend to provide comprehensive care to these patients? Personally, I'm not a huge fan of chipping and clipping. But, assuming my patient is coherent and not mute, I like talking to them for the 5 minutes it takes to debride their nails. For those of you who don't like nails, but think DO school is great - have fun with those rectal exams and guiac tests. (The grass is browner on the other side?)

Comment #4: "I don't get no respect." I'd like to couple this with, "The nurses, pedorthists, chiropracters, and a bunch of other dudes took away my patients." Possibly my favorite. I've been to several of the big conferences around the country. I've seen people sleeping in the lecture halls. And I've seen guys wandering aimlessly around the exhibit hall looking for new products and the first question out of their mouth's is "how much can I bill for it?". I can't help but wonder how many of you superstars out there do any real continuing education, or even have some basic body of knowledge to work with. Your patients left for someone less qualified? Maybe you weren't too qualified. (Really qualified, not just you completed a residency, that you actually retained something.) I went ahead and took the pedorthic course myself, just so I could see what these guys do (and to make sure they don't take any of MY patients because they know something about feet or shoes I don't.)

I think that about sums up what I'd consider the major complaints from this little group of malcontents and miscreants. Feel free to email, flame away, tell me I'm a bad guy because my daddy's a podiatrist. Honestly - I couldn't care less. I go to bed happy at night, with a terrific wife, and a bright future. If you want to talk podiatry, feet, shoes, feel free to email as well - I'm always looking to make friends around the country.

Eric Edelman
(my real name even)