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The author presents information related to the structures of medical and podiatric residency training and statistical information regarding entry level residency positions in approved podiatric residency programs. The results of surveys of residency directors (1989 and 1990) and the residency community of interest (1990) conducted by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education are reported. Specific findings from the surveys indicated the desirability of establishing training sequences consisting of rotating podiatric residencies followed by specialty training programs but identified significant difficulties related to implementation.
The podiatric medical profession has evolved substantially in the past 80 years. This evolution includes major changes in scope, in the requirements necessary to enter a podiatric medical school, and in the curriculum that must be completed to earn the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Entrance requirements to the schools are now identical to the prerequisites for admission to MD and DO institutions, and licensure requires the completion of graduate medical education. Much of the curriculum also is the same as it is in MD and DO schools. In the past decade, discussion focusing on the ability of the DPM to acquire the MD or DO degree has intensified. An analysis is provided using a historical context regarding this potential initiative. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 102(2): 172–176, 2012)
The author provides a general overview of the development of postgraduate residency training in podiatric medicine since 1956. The evolution of residency standards and requirements of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education are discussed. Integration of specialty organizations in the residency evaluation process also are reviewed. The author notes that the current positive number of entry level residency positions available to graduates of colleges of podiatric medicine may be a dubious facade in view of increasing college enrollments and the potential conversion of rotating podiatric residencies to residencies in primary podiatric medicine. He cautions the profession not to overlook these events as it considers the development of the PGY-1 concept in the restructuring of entry level residency training.
The Role of Podiatric Medicine in the Health-Care Team
A Paradigm Shift
As physicians, podiatric medical doctors should not define themselves as medical professionals who treat the foot and ankle but rather as medical professionals who prevent, diagnose, and treat people who have foot and ankle problems. Patients who come to see podiatric physicians often have other health-care issues, and because of the education and training that doctors of podiatric medicine receive, they are uniquely qualified to identify and respond to findings not only related to the pedal extremity but also that may affect overall health, have a major effect on quality of life, and even help reduce overall health-care costs. The role of podiatric medicine as a truly integrated branch of medical care needs to be reassessed.
