Naysayer...by Jeffrey C. Davids, DPM (no login)Ok...you probably consider me to be a naysayer.
The truth, though, is that I think podiatry has incredible potential. I just don't think it has reached that potential, and I doubt it ever will given the way it is being handled by the profession's "elite."
I do think some of the schools are in trouble, but I don't see merging as a bad thing. I think the tuition is too high given the earning potential of most graduates. Truthfully, most don't walk into huge earnings, and many may never earn a huge amount. Of course, that is as much the fault of those DPM's who take the crappy offers as it is of those that take advantage of them. Any way you look at it, though, the student debt is high, and you need to make some serious cash to pay it off. My loans total (at this very second) $177,317.20. I pay $1225.00 a month, and will for the next 29 years! My fault - and I accept the responsibility and am paying the bills every single month. Doesn't mean I'm happy about it.
Please don't kid yourself, though. Don't get cocky by thinking there are tons of 2-3 year surgical programs out there and everybody will get one. Doesn't work that way. And don't go around saying that you, "don't expect anybody to hand you anything, etc." Of course you do. You expect to get a good surgical residency, just like everybody else in your class does. Don't be overly surprised if it doesn't happen - that's my "warning."
Training definitely needs to be more consistent, not only to prepare grads to be able to earn a living in today's medical environment, but also to further the profession. If you go to an orthopod, you know they did at least a 5 year residency. If you go to a pod, they may have only done a preceptorship, or maybe a 4 year program with 2 years of additional fellowships, etc. You just don't know until you check it out. No wonder MD's don't know what we do - most of us don't know what we do.
To answer the other part of your question: no, I do not practice podiatry. Had a few job interviews (that all went to surgical guys in the end) and had one offer for $24k a year (laugh). I did consider starting up on my own, too...and almost bought a practice. Unfortunately, the licensing board screwed me and I was unable to get licensed in the State quick enough to take advantage of what, I think, would have been a wonderful opportunity. So I packed it in (after 8 months of searching) and now I work in insurance - and make more than a lot of my former classmates who practice podiatry. Luckily, I enjoy my job.
At any rate, I hope podiatry is getting better and stronger. I just don't see it.
Good luck to all,
Jeff
(and I have never posted anonymously - I always use my name) Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 8:24 PM
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