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What
is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine?
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is to the foot what
a dentist is to the mouth, or an ophthalmologist to the eye --- a doctor
specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot
disorders resulting from injury or disease. A DPM makes independent
judgments, prescribes medications and performs surgery. The human foot
has a complex interrelation with the rest of the body which means that
it may be the first area to show signs of serious conditions such as
diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since the podiatric physician is
often the first to detect symptoms of these disorders, he or she becomes
a vital and sometimes lifesaving link in the health care team.
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. 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), surgery,
anesthesia, and operative podiatric medicine.
When
can I Apply to the Colleges of Podiatric Medicine?
AACPMAS begins processing
admission applications immediately after Labor Day each September for
FALL Admission
the following year. To complete the on-line
web application
to the colleges of podiatric medicine, visit our website at
www.aacpm.org or go directly to the
application’s URL at
www.e-aacpmas.org. Call our Toll Free number 1-800-922-9266 if you
have any questions.
Deadline Dates are as follows: For priority
consideration April 1st of each year for the upcoming FALL
admission. The FINAL AACPMAS DEADLINE DATE is July 31st of
each year for FALL admission of the same year.
What
are the Selection Procedures for Admission?
Potential podiatric medical
students may be evaluated on the basis of their grade point average
(GPA), performance on the MCAT, DAT or GRE –Science, extra-curricular
and community activities, work or volunteering in a health care setting,
shadowing a podiatrist, personal interview, professional potential, etc.
Admission criteria may very slightly by institution; therefore, contact
the college(s) of your choice to obtain a copy of its catalog for
specific requirements.
What
are Some of the Characteristics of Entering
Students?
Approximately
600-800 applicants apply to podiatric medical school each academic year.
First year enrollment totals range from 500-600 per year.
- In 2005-06
minority students increased from 40% to 45% of all applicants:
Asian applicants totaled 11% which was an increase of 1% from the
previous year; African Americans increased 2% from the previous year to
13%; and Hispanic applicants also increased from 5% to 6%.
- Approximately 90% of applicants in 2005-06 held a bachelor’s degree or
higher. Fifty-six (56%) of applicants majored in biology; 11% in
physical sciences; 9% in health-related sciences and 6% in the social
sciences.
-
Academically, the
average undergraduate GPA and MCAT Scores of
Matriculants
have remained about the same in past years. In 2005, the overall GPA was
3.2 and the average science GPA was 3.0. Average
MCAT
scores for
Matriculants
also stayed about the same in all categories over the previous year:
Verbal Reasoning went from 7.2 to 7.3; Physical Science scores decreased
slightly from 6.9 to 6.8; and Biological Sciences from 7.2 to 7.1 over
the previous year.
-
First-year enrollment for
the 2005-06 entering class was 552, of which, almost 50% (259) were
female. Over the past several years there has been a consistent rise in
the number of females applying to the colleges of podiatric medicine.
- Total
enrollment
at AACPM’s
eight
member educational institutions of podiatric medicine totaled 1702 in
2005-06.
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How Many Students Graduate
from Podiatric Medical
School Each Year?
In 2005 the seven colleges
of podiatric medicine graduated 347 Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs),
of which 43% or 150 were females and 38% (131) were minorities.
Is
there a Demand for Doctors of Podiatry?
YES! Injuries sustained by an increasing number of men
and women engaging in exercise and fitness have created a great demand
for doctors of podiatric medicine. Ailments of the foot are among the
most widespread and neglected health problems in our nation today.
Additionally, the number of older Americans is increasing almost three
times as fast as the rest of the population, and subsequently adds to
the demand for podiatric physicians. Studies on manpower in the health
professions indicate the need to increase the number of practicing
podiatrists in the US.
What
are the Benefits & Income Potential for a
Podiatrist?
The work hours of a podiatric physician vary from less
than 40, 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 engaged in private practice
depend upon factors such as location, size of their practice, their
ability, professional reputation and length of time in practice.
According to a survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical
Association (APMA 2002 Podiatric Practice Survey), the average NET
incomes of full-time (30+ hours/week) podiatric physicians in 2001 was
as follows:
|
Number of years in practice |
Average Income |
|
0-2 years |
$63,088 |
|
3-5 years |
$104,909 |
|
6-9 years |
$126,717 |
|
10 -14 years |
$143,141 |
|
15-19 years |
$158,774 |
|
20-24 years |
$158,244 |
|
25-29 years |
$154,378 |
|
30-34 years |
$125,774 |
|
35+
years |
$89,714 |
The average NET income for 2001 as a
result of this survey was $134,414.
Whatever way you measure success, podiatric medicine can
meet the standard: the satisfaction of alleviating human suffering;
recognition from the community; job security; financial opportunity, and
time to have a family life.
How Much
will Podiatry School Cost?
The annual tuition for the eight member colleges of the AACPM
for fall of 2005 ranges from $22,000 to $26,778. These amounts do
not include fees, books, or room and board. For specific costs of fees
and other charges, contact the college of your choice and request their
catalogue.
What
do I as a Pre-Health Student Need to Know about
Financing My Professional Education?
-
I need to plan ahead for financing my
education just as I need to plan ahead for the application process.
-
I need to discuss my plans for funding
my medical education with my family/spouse/significant people in my
life.
-
I need to find out from podiatric
medical schools I'm interested in what financial assistance they
offer.
-
I need to investigate federal and
institutional grant and loan assistance programs, service-obligated
scholarships and other resources.
-
I need to find out from the institution
financial aid office how to apply to these programs.
-
I must be a U.S. citizen or permanent
resident to qualify for most forms of financial assistance.
-
I need to limit my borrowing for my
education so that repaying my loans will not jeopardize my future.
-
I need to set up a budget and stick to
it.
-
I need to save as much money as I can.
-
I need to limit debts; pay off credit
cards.
-
I must have a good credit rating to
qualify for some student loans.
-
I need to obtain a copy of my credit
report to check for errors and to correct any negative information.
-
I need to understand the consequences
of student loan defaults.
-
I must understand my rights and
responsibilities regarding financial assistance programs.
What
if I Need Financial Assistance?
Due to the increase in the overall costs of podiatric
medical education, students are strongly urged to investigate possible
sources of financial aid immediately upon acceptance. Accepted
applicants should meet with the podiatric medical school’s Financial
Aid Officer as soon as possible after notification of acceptance to
ascertain which of the following programs are available at their
institution.
What
are the Licensing and Board Certification
Requirements?
National Boards are taken in
two parts while in podiatric medical school. Part I covers basic science
areas and is generally taken at the conclusion of the second year. Part
II covers clinical areas and is taken in the spring of the fourth year,
prior to graduation. Satisfactory completion of Parts I and II of the
National Board is one of the requirements for state licensure. Most
states will also require a written and/or oral examination prior to
licensure. Podiatric physicians are licensed in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to treat the foot and its related
or governing structures by medical, surgical or other means. State
licensing requirements generally include graduation from one of the
eight
accredited colleges of podiatric medicine, passage of the National Board
exams, postgraduate training and written and oral examinations.
Podiatric physicians may
also become certified in one or both specialty areas: primary care and
orthopedics, or surgery.
National podiatric specialty boards grant certification
to qualified podiatrists who have completed the specified educational
requirements and who successfully complete written and oral
examinations.
Is Residency Training Required?
After
completing four years of podiatric medical training, the podiatric
physician is required by most states to complete a minimum of one year
of postgraduate residency training in an approved healthcare institution
and pass parts one and two of the National Podiatric Board of Medicine
Examination. Two 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 may
select either a twenty-four month Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Residency (PM&S-24) or a thirty-six month Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Residency (PM&S-36). The thirty-six month residency includes training in
rear foot and ankle surgery.
All entry-level residency programs are required to participate in a
national, centralized application and matching service such as CASPR.
This matching program is similar to that of allopathic medicine.
Students may apply through the Centralized Application Service for
Podiatric Residencies (CASPR) in order to save time and money during
their residency search. For additional information about residency
programs call AACPM’s Graduate Services Department at 1-800-443-3514.
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Once I’m a DPM, How
do I Keep Up with New
Developments in the Profession?
The professional association for practicing Podiatrists
is the American
Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which has component
societies in every state. Because most all of the states impose
continuing podiatric medical education requirements for license renewal,
educational programs and seminars are developed and presented each year
by the colleges, as well as the state associations and the national
podiatric medical association.
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