PODIATRISTS CAN, AND DO SAVE LIVES!
An Article Written by Yen-Chii Wong & Cecilia Brennan
Podiatrist – New Step Podiatry
MYTH: Podiatrists only cut toenails
FACT: Podiatrists deal with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet, lower limbs and so much more!
The 14th October was Allied Health Professionals Day, a day that we celebrate not just podiatrists but the entire allied health community. In this article we explain how Podiatrists do more than cut toenails and we discuss how New Step Podiatry collaborates with other allied health professionals.
How do Podiatrists Save Lives?
A Podiatrist is a university trained allied health professional qualified to assess and treat conditions of the lower limbs – aka Foot Health Expert.
According to the 2022 Australian Foot Health Survey conducted by the Australian Podiatry Association, almost 2 in 5 Australians who saw a podiatrist also had other serious health issues identified by their podiatrist.
The research showed Australians who had visited a podiatrist for foot pain were unexpectedly found to have other life-threatening health issues, including:
– 33% circulatory issues
– 11% heart problems
– 25% diabetes
– 23% gout
– 7% other health issues
Your feet and lower limbs are often a critical factor in developing or avoiding certain health diseases elsewhere in your body. Think obesity, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and a range of other conditions.
In addition to assessing and managing these chronic conditions, check out this picture to see some of the joint, tendon, muscle, ligament, skin and toenail conditions Podiatrist treat.
Podiatrists are Allied Health Professionals
Podiatrists are part of the 200,000 allied health professionals which make up more than 1/3 of the health workforce.
Allied health professionals and deliver an estimated 200 million health services each year, and include a diverse group of professions including physiotherapists, chiropractors, optometrists, dieticians, exercise physiologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists. All allied health professionals practice in an evidence-based manner with expertise in preventing, diagnosing, and treating a range of conditions.
We often work together to provide support for multiple patient needs. Our podiatrists are experts in lower limb care and are proud to be part of this wonderful community of allied health professionals.
We Work Together with other Allied Health Professionals
One of our core values at New Step Podiatry is to Collaborate: Achieve Together. By working in partnership with people we share a goal. We will seek input from clients and their health care team to work together towards these shared goals. We generously share our knowledge, expertise and skills with others. We when aim and act together, we achieve together. Below are some examples of how we implement this value.
Building relationships with other health professionals, such as GPs, physiotherapists, and exercise physiologists
Last month we visited EmPower Exercise Physiology and Hawker Place Physiotherapy to talk about what we do for the foot and ankle. These sessions give us a great opportunity to learn what other health professionals do in their daily practice, and how we can help with any foot and ankle concerns their patients may have. We regularly refer to and receive referrals from local physiotherapists and exercise physiologists so you can get the best out of your care. Having strong relationships with other health professionals mean we can refer knowing you are in safe hands.
Foot & Ankle Show Digital Presentation
The Foot & Ankle Show brings together a wealth of speakers from the world of foot health to give talks on a wide range of subjects, to encourage learning, inspiration and innovation – and provoke conversations that matter.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant many of our in-person conferences had to switch to a digital concept. The UK based Foot & Ankle Show had such success with their digital show in 2020 and 2021 with attracting thousands of delegates from over 50 different countries. Naturally they have continued their digital concept and Cecilia presented in the 13th and 14th October 2022 show.
Cecilia presented on menopause discussing the stages of menopause and how menopause can affect lower limb health. Cecilia discussed the structural and functional changes to the foot, ankle and lower limbs during menopause and what the clinical considerations health professionals need to be making when managing our patients during their menopause. You can check out Cecilia’s blog article on menopause (written for the wider community) here.
New Step Podiatry is Building the Podiatry Profession
Our Podiatrists have regular case study discussions
This gives us a chance to share complex cases and draw from each other’s experiences so we can give our patients better outcomes!
We are hosting podiatry student placements
We have started to host students in their final years of podiatry study at New Step Podiatry. This is partic
ularly rewarding because it challenges our podiatrists to answer lots of questions that they may not have had to think about since their uni days! It’s also so encouraging to see our up-and-coming podiatrists have so much interest and passion for the profession!
Here in this picture we have podiatry student, Enes. Enes shadowed our Podiatrists in their appointments and saw everything from musculoskeletal assessments, paediatrics, skin and nail care, nail bracing, shockwave therapy, orthotic fittings, diabetes assessments and nail surgery!
We contribute to and learn from online podiatry forums
These more informal forums are a great sounding board for podiatrists all over Australia to seek and give advice on all things podiatry. This can include tricky cases, shoe suggestions, and questions relating to business.
Blogs and Podcasts
New Step Podiatry releases a blog each month for community health promotion and to improve podiatry care awareness. Cecilia’s blog article on the “10 Things I Love About Podiatry” was featured on the Podiatry Legends podcast by Tyson E Franklin.
Book an Appointment with our Podiatrists at our Canberra Clinic to help you with your foot, ankle and lower limb concerns
Our podiatrists are here to ensure those in Canberra have access to quality services that can help individuals get the treatment they deserve. Easily book an appointment at our clinic online or give us a call on 02 6198 4818.
