2cents +2cents= nonsense

Here is the debate you asked for:

Point #1: your entire argument rests on a FALSE assumption. In your previous posting you state that podiatrists are not allowed to diagnose Periph. vasc. disease without the supervision of an MD/DO. FALSE. I routinely diagnose and treat patients with PVD. In fact my medicare billing software has the required field which pops up everytime I bill under this code(440.20), asking me if I am the supervising doctor in this case or if the patient is being supervised by another doctor.The operative word here is OR. The patient can be treated for PVD of the feet by myself or an MD/DO. I fill out the field putting my own UPIN as the supervising doctor. I get paid 3-4 weeks later for treatment of a patient with PVD which I have diagnosed. Not only that, but I also get paid for the doppler study performed by myself to establish the diagnosis! Could it be that your entire assumption that podiatrists cannot diagnose PVD is based on a simple lack of knowledge about billing? And don't even tell me I am wrong on this, I have been doing it for many years now. By the way, I get paid for diagnosing neuropathy as well (250.60). There are even CPT codes for this routine evaluation and treatment of patients with neuropathy, the G0246 codes. Which brings me to my next point.
Point #2: You go on and on about "personal" attacks. Well let me point out how personal you have gotten with your words stating that Podiatrists are not "real" doctors, how you want to keep students from repeating "mistakes". If these words are not a personal attack on the integrity of thousands of hard-working and educated Podiatrists, I don't know what is. So don't be surprised if my words have a bit of bite to them. You should learn to get as good as you give.
Point #3: Definition of a "real" doctor; if, as you say, podiatrists are not "real" doctors, what do you call a Radiologist who doesn't even see patients? What would you call a Phychiatrist who doesn't even place a hand on a patient? What do you call a Pathologist who never even prescribes a medication?
I have to laugh out loud at your silly idea. This doctor actually sees patients, diagnoses illnesses, operates on the problem, takes the x-rays of the problem, interprets the x-rays, prescribes medication and gets paid for the work. So you see my dear, your definition of a "real" doctor leaves much to be desired.
Point #4:You take me to task for my incredulous reaction at your baseless attacks. What is one to infer from the position you take in your posts that students who seek a career in Podiatry are making a mistake? That they don't know what they are getting themselves into? I would infer that you are accusing this profession of perpetrating a scam of some sort, some "nafarious" act on unsuspecting victims. Again you are guilty of an unsupported assertion. The fact remains, thousands of Podiatrists are working daily in hospitals, in clinics, in private offices and in the armed forces doing one thing; helping their patients. As I have stated before, open the phone book and call one up.
Point #5: It is and will continue to be, my contention, that you and those who post similar negative attacks based in anecdotal references, not in fact, have some serious issues to deal with. For some reason, you chose the wrong profession or failed to thrive in it. As if this weren't true of other professions (including, the almighty "MD",lol). The anger you feel at failing plays out in these online forums to the detriment of others who, in your shoes, might easily succeed. Were it not for those nasty little jabs of discouragement you most eagerly provide while feeding that monkey on your back. That being the case, I will continue to expose you and those like you that want nothing more than to feel better about yourselves by sinking the hopes of others.
Have a nice day. And don't forget to write.