PODIATRIST DR. BARRY BLOCK, PRESIDENT OF PODIATRY MANAGEMENT MAKES SEVERAL IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE CURRENT SITUATION IN PODIATRIC MEDICINE

PODIATRIST DR. BARRY BLOCK IS EDITOR OF PODIATRIC MANAGEMENT AND AN ONLINE PUBLICATION CALLED PODIATRIC MEDICAL NEWS.  IN THE LAST SEVERAL ISSUES HE HAS DISCUSSED SOME ISSUES WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO THE FOOT CARE PROFESSION IN NORTH AMERICA.  

THE FIRST ISSUE HE DISCUSSED WAS THE FACT THAT MANY AMERICAN TRAINED PODIATRISTS WERE UNABLE TO OBTAIN SURGICAL RESIDENCIES IN AN AMERICAN HOSPITAL AND THEREFORE WERE NOT QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE  TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM MANY HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PLANS IN THE STATES.  ACTUALLY SEVERAL HAVE DECIDED TO COME TO CANADA AND PRACTICE AS A CHIROPODIST INSTEAD.

THE SECOND ISSUE PODIATRIST BLOCK DISCUSSED WAS THAT OVER 40% OF AMERICAN PODIATRISTS TRAINED TO PERFORM BONE SURGERY IN THE UNITED STATES DID IN FACT NOT DUE SO.  THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS THAT PODIATRISTS AND CHIROPODIST SEE IN THEIR FOOT CLINICS REQUIRE ROUTINE NAIL CARE, ETC.,AND NOT MAJOR BONE SURGERY.  IT I S VERY COSTLY TO HAVE A PRIVATE OPERON AND TO RUN AND MAINTAIN IT AS WELL AS ADHERING TO THE HIGH STERILIZATION STANDARDS REQUIRED.  

ROUTINE NAIL CARE SUCH AS DIABETIC FOOT CARE, CORNS, CALLUSES, WARTS, INGROWN TOENAILS, FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN AND /OR TOENAILS, STRAINS, SPRAINS, HEEL PAIN, HEEL SPURS, PLANTAR FASCIITIS, DIABETIC FOOT CARE AND THE LIST GOES ON IS THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF OUR FOOT CLINICS PATIENTS.

AS THE POPULATION AGES, MORE AND MORE PATIENTS WILL REQUIRE THESE BASIC TREATMENTS.  PODIATRISTS AND CHIROPODISTS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHERE THEY FIT IN IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.  TO GIVE UP ROUTINE NAIL CARE IN FAVOUR OF BEING A PSUEDO-MEDICAL DOCTOR WOULD BE A MAJOR MISTAKE.

DR. HARDY'S TORONTO FOOT CLINIC, ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS IS ULTRA SUCCESSFUL DUE TO OUR UNWAVERING ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHEN PERFORMING ROUTINE NAIL CARE.  ALL OF THE CHIROPODISTS WHOM I EMPLOY ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED AND SKILLED AND DO NOT WISH THAT THEY WERE A PODIATRIST, MEDICAL DOCTOR ETC.  NOBODY IN MY FOOT CLINIC REQUIRES 'PARITY.'  WE ARE HAPPY WITH OUR DESIGNATION AS A CHIROPODIST AND BEING CALLED A PODIATRIST WOULD NOT ENHANCE OUR PROFESSION NOR AFFECT THE 1000'S OF SATISFIED PATIENTS WHOM WE TREAT.  ONLY A HANDFUL OF THE 50 PRACTICING ONTARIO PODIATRIST WHO ARE NEARING RETIREMENT PERFORM BONE SURGERY IN THEIR FOOT CLINICS.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE REQUIRES HONEST, COMPETENT ADVICE OR QUALITY FOOT CARE OR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT DR. HARDY'S TORONTO FOOT CLINIC AT 416-465-8737.

REMEMBER WE ALWAYS TREAT OUR BELOVED PATIENTS LIKE FAMILY!