The study, conducted by the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the School of Public Health, University at Albany, attributes an increase in foot problems as a result of growing obesity, diabetes and aging rates to have a direct impact on the profession. In 2002, podiatrists provided close to 40 percent of all foot care services in the United States, compared to 13 percent for orthopedic physicians and 37 percent for all other physicians, including primary care doctors. Podiatrists are medically and surgically trained to diagnose and treat disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot, ankle and lower extremity. Podiatrists are typically older on average than the overall U.S. labor force. In fact, the professions’ median age of 45 will certainly contribute to future occupational demands in the next 10 to 15 years.

“The field of podiatry is really one of the most specialized in all of medicine. And anyone who has become a podiatrist knows that the payoffs associated with becoming a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine are priceless,” said Dr. Christian Robertozzi, APMA president. “But when it all boils down to it, most medical students are concerned about what their salaries will be once they enter the workforce. Because the supply is less than the demand for podiatrists at the moment, the median income for our profession is at an all-time high.”

I agree with chris. We shouldn’t be down grading another profession to raise another. That’s not fair. All people are different and people have different wants and priorities. And, all these professions have their own specialties.

Just love what you do and show it. But don’t talk negatively about other professions. They’re importantly needed, too.

Its true that Poditric medical schools are easier to get into, but they’re not any easier to complete. This is why they also tend to have a higher attrition rate….. Admisson to all podiatric medical schools is becoming increasingly competitive though, and the average admission stats at all schools have steadily risen over the past few years.

I could have gotten into most MD programs in the country (was offered admittance everywhere I interviewed), but I chose podiatry and heres why:
I know I’m reasonably smart and motivated, but so is pretty much everyone else in med school. If I gave it my all and put forth my best effort, I might only be an average student. With an average board score, that might mean I’d be stuck looking at stuffy noses all day and wouldn’t have that much of a shot at a surgical specialty like I wanted. Just about everything in podiatry involves cutting (reimbursements are higher = more $$$) and whether that involves ingrown toenails or complex ankle reconstruction/amputation/vascular surgery/whatever, it was a much better road for me. I rather like being trained as a physician specialist from get-go.

Scholl class of 2011!

Thanks!