PRE-PODIATRY. Information and tools a SLU student needs to Succeed

Transcription

1 Information and tools a SLU student needs to Succeed

2 What is a Podiatrist? Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) strive to improve the overall health of their patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Podiatrists are defined as physicians by the federal government

3 What kinds of foot problems do Podiatrists deal with? Podiatrists treat patients with bunions, heel pain, spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses A podiatrist also renders care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel

4 Typically Podiatrists: Consult with patients and other physicians on how to prevent foot problems Diagnose and treat tumors, ulcers, fractures, skin and nail diseases, and deformities Perform surgeries to correct or remedy such problems as bunions, claw toes, fractures, hammertoes, infections, ruptured Achilles, and other ligaments and tendons Prescribe therapies and perform diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound and lab tests Prescribes or fits patients with inserts called orthotics that correct walking patterns Treat conditions such as: bone disorders, bunions, corns, calluses, cysts, heel spurs, infections, ingrown nails, and plantar fasciitis

5 Is there job stability and is there a need for Podiatrists? According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, there are an estimated 15,000 practicing podiatrists in the United States Podiatrists are in demand more than ever today because of a rapidly aging population In addition, according to the association, foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country

6 Advancements in the field of Podiatry: Podiatric Medicine: You will practice regenerative medicine and gene therapy The field of podiatry has changed dramatically. Podiatric medicine is exciting and benefits people in ways you've never imagined. A podiatric physician can help prevent amputations while saving limbs and lives By the time you graduate, you will be able to apply the cutting edge technology of living cell and gene therapy to the field of diabetic wound healing Imagine how you'll feel seeing someone walk again because of you or just as exciting, working with athletes to maintain their full potential by treating and preventing sports injuries Podiatric medicine opens doors to research and participation in clinical trials for novel treatments and technologies Whether you open up your own practice after graduation, participate in research, government consulting or join the pharmaceutical field, podiatric medicine is a diverse and financially rewarding medical career choice

7 What are the benefits and income potential for a Podiatrist? The work hours of a podiatric physician vary from less than 40 hours a week to 50 hours or more per week In general, the practice of podiatric medicine lends itself to flexible hours and is therefore comfortable for individuals who want to make time for family, friends and other involvements that characterize a balanced lifestyle Earnings of podiatrists depend upon geographic location, type of practice, number of patients seen per week, years of experience, etc.

8 Average Salary: According to Salary.com: The median expected salary for a typical Podiatrist in the United States is $176,420 Surgical podiatrists in the U.S. earned a median yearly salary of $232,121, as of 2009, according to a survey by the American Medical Group Association

9 General Timeline: 4 years of Undergraduate Education 4 Years of Podiatry School 3 Years of Residency

10 Applying to Podiatric Schools is a Year-Long Process The actual steps are: Take the MCAT (some schools will accept the DAT or GRE) Submit the AACPMAS application Submit secondary applications Interview Accept your admissions However, before you begin you must complete prerequisite coursework; obtain letters of recommendations and actively engage in healthcare experience. For more information on the application process, visit

11 Undergraduate Curriculum Required Same as Pre-Med: 8-12 Credits of Biology Including Lab 8 Credits of General Chemistry Including Lab 8 Credits of Organic Chemistry Including Lab 8 Credits of Physics Including Lab 6-8 Credits of English Most Pre-Podiatry Students are Biology Majors; however, a pre-podiatry student can major in virtually any discipline

12 Placement Exam Required: Traditionally the MCAT has been the only standardized test required for admissions to the colleges of podiatric medicine However, some colleges will accept the GRE or US DAT in lieu of the MCAT

13 Statistics of students accepted into Podiatry School: Academically, the average undergraduate GPA and MCAT Scores of matriculants have remained about the same in past years In 2009, the overall GPA was 3.3 and the average science GPA was 3.1 Average MCAT scores for matriculants also remained relatively constant in all categories over the previous year: Verbal Reasoning went from 7.1 to 7.3; Physical Science scores stayed the same at 7.1; and Biological Sciences increased from 7.5 to 7.7 over the previous year Approximately one thousand applicants apply to podiatric medical school each academic year. First year enrollment totals range from per year Total enrollment at AACPM's nine member educational institutions of podiatric medicine totaled 2424 in

14 Yes, Podiatry Schools are different from Medical Schools: In order to become a Podiatrist, one must obtain a DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) degree, which one can get from attending a Podiatry School

15 What does the curriculum consist of at the Colleges of Podiatric Medicine? The course of instruction leading to the DPM degree is four years in length The first two years are devoted to classroom instruction and laboratory work in the basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. There is some clinical exposure in the first and second year During the third and fourth years, students concentrate on courses in the clinical sciences, gaining experience in the college clinics, community clinics, and accredited hospitals. Clinical courses include general diagnosis (history taking, physical examination, clinical laboratory procedures, and diagnostic radiology), therapeutics (pharmacology, physical medicine, orthotics, and prosthetics), anesthesia and surgery

16 Residency for Podiatry Three years of residency training are required for board certification. A residency provides an interdisciplinary experience with rotations such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, infectious disease, surgery, ER and pediatrics Residency training provides a combination of medical and surgical experiences that are competency-based. Podiatric medical graduates participate in a three year Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PM&S-36). This residency includes training in rear foot and ankle surgery

17 How to make your application stand out: SHADOW A PODIATRIST: If you are serious about Podiatry this is a MUST Be actively Involved in school clubs and organizations Hold leadership positions Volunteer either through campus organizations or anything you find outside Assist a Professor with Research Be Knowledgeable About Podiatry: The Internet can be your Best Friend. Watch Youtube Videos about Podiatry, Follow Podiatry Sites on Twitter. Know what is happening in the field.

18 Nine Podiatry Schools in the United States across 8 different states

19 How much will Podiatry School Cost? The annual tuition for the nine member colleges of the AACPM for fall of 2012 ranges from $27,830 to $32,671 These amounts do not include fees, books, or room and board For specific costs of fees and other charges, visit the website of the college of your choice

20 Arizona SCHOOL OF Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University (AZPod) Glendale, AZ (623) ; (888) California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University (CSPM) Oakland, CA (510) Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine (WUCPM) Pomona, CA (909)

21 Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine (BUSPM) Miami Shores, FL (305) ; (800) Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of medicine & science (SCPM) North Chicago, IL (847) ; (800) College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Des Moines University (DMU - CPMS) Des Moines, IA (515)

22 New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) New York, NY (212) ; (800) Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) Independence, OH (800) (inside ohio); (800) (OUTside ohio) Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) Philadelphia, PA (215) ; (800) 220-FEET

23 Be sure to check out these websites for more information: American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine o American Podiatric Medical Association o National Health Professions Website o Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) o Contact a Podiatrist or current Podiatric Student o

24 Feel free to contact your Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Podiatry Representative for any further information Rimple Guron: Senior Psychology Major Biology Minor Spanish Minor