# Podiatry - real doctor or easy to get degree? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 5, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627 "2003-10-05T00:54:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/21 "2003-10-05T22:46:09Z")
Her degree says “doctor of podiatric medicine” or some such. She’s earned the title “doctor”. Call her what she wants to be called. But she’d best not rush to any cardiac arrests at my institution. Ophthalmologist = MD with 1 year general residency and 3 to 6 years specialized training in eye medicine. The feature optometrists share with podiatrists are that both have degees with “doctor” in them, but neither are MD’s or DO’s. As such, on the state level, their licenses fall under the board of Podiatry and the board of Optometry, as opposed to the Board of Medicine According to this link [http://www.aacpm.org/careercenter/cz3\_links.asp](http://www.aacpm.org/careercenter/cz3_links.asp) it appears there are 6 US podiatric schools. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/22 "2003-10-05T22:47:58Z")
This site lists podiatry schools around the world, and mentions a 7th US school. [http://www.epodiatry.com/education.htm](http://www.epodiatry.com/education.htm) ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/23 "2003-10-05T23:30:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*Specialists such as cardiologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedists, ophthalmologists, gastro-enterologists, etc etc are either MD or DO degree holders who have finished at least 1 year of residency in a general field before doing specialist training. > > As for people with the title of “Doctor”: Podiatrists, optometrists, and chiropracters do not hold the MD or DO degree. I can’t think of any other health care doctors with this distinction, although one may hold a Ph.D. in an area of medicine and work in medical research. But said Ph. D. is not a physician, and does not do medical treatment. > > Psychologists often have a Ph. D. in psychology and engage in therapy with patients, but don’t prescribe medications. > > Anybody I left out? Probably. \*\* Dentists, who can be either DMD or DDS. Speaker for the Dead > [@](#): > > What is a hand specialist called, anyway? A hand specialist. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/24 "2003-10-06T00:03:03Z")
Thanks, **barbi**. To elaborate a bit, a hand specialist is generally an orthopedist who does a Fellowship for a year or two after his/her Orthopedics residency is over. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/25 "2003-10-06T00:19:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*Psychologists often have a Ph. D. in psychology and engage in therapy with patients, but don’t prescribe medications. \*\* Except in the highly enlightened state of New Mexico, where a shortage of psychiatrists has been “solved” by allowing psychologists who take a course of training in pharmacology to prescribe psychotropic drugs. From [The American Psychological Association](http://www.apa.org/practice/nm_rxp.html): > [@](#): > > To receive a prescribing license in New Mexico, psychologists must complete at least 450 hours of coursework; a 400 hour/100 patient practicum under physician supervision; and pass a national certification examination. The academic component includes psychopharmacology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, clinical pharmacology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacoepidemiology, as well as physical and lab assessments. Because you have to pay _real_ doctors _real_ money. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/26 "2003-10-07T23:02:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*According to this link [http://www.aacpm.org/careercenter/cz3\_links.asp](http://www.aacpm.org/careercenter/cz3_links.asp) it appears there are 6 US podiatric schools. \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\* > This site lists podiatry schools around the world, and mentions a 7th US school. [http://www.epodiatry.com/education.htm](http://www.epodiatry.com/education.htm) > \*\* OK, now I’m really confused. She went to a school near DC. Is there anyone who knows what school is down there? And if so, is it accredited? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/27 "2003-10-08T02:19:30Z")
> [@](#): > > You had a dictator growing on the sole of your foot? OW!!! A little etymology here. Fasces are sheaves. Of wheat or of tendons. Sheaves of wheat were a symbol of Mussolini’s party, which then got to be called fascist. I think both the word and the symbol referred to the collectivist aspect. There is a sheaf of wheat on the back of the US dime, BTW. Meantime the sheaf of tendons in the bottom of the foot that goes from toes to the heel is also fasces. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/28 "2003-10-08T04:11:04Z")
I would trust a podiatrist to fix ingrown toenails, and stuff that grows on the skin such as what Hari Seldon mentioned. However, with structural foot problems like I have, the pods that I’ve been to just want to fit me with some expensive orthotic insoles and get rid of me. Insoles seem to be the pod’s panacea, but I’m completely unconvinced of their effectiveness. I also saw an orthopedic MD who specializes in the foot. He didn’t really help me either, but he explained my options without simply saying “you need orthotics!” ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/29 "2003-10-08T16:36:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CurtC \* > \*\*I would trust a podiatrist to fix ingrown toenails, and stuff that grows on the skin such as what Hari Seldon mentioned. However, with structural foot problems like I have, the pods that I’ve been to just want to fit me with some expensive orthotic insoles and get rid of me. Insoles seem to be the pod’s panacea, but I’m completely unconvinced of their effectiveness. > > I also saw an orthopedic MD who specializes in the foot. He didn’t really help me either, but he explained my options without simply saying “you need orthotics!” \*\* There are two broad classes of podiatrists: primary care and surgical. You may want to look for a pod who is a member of the [American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)](http://www.acfas.org/find.html). If you haven’t seen a surgical podiatrist, you might have a better experience. (NOTA BENE: This is _ **not** _ actual medical advice). Also, there are two types of orthotics: accommodative and functional. In very broad terms, accomodative orthotics attempt to help the foot absorb forces or to protect the foot from shock and stress. Functional orthotics attempt to control the function and gait of the foot. (That’s a crappy definition, but I think you get the picture). _Sometimes_, even structural foot problems (like,say, mine) can be treated by functional orthotics. I wouldn’t dismiss them completely. That said, orthotics remain one of the largest sources of income, especially as insurance reimbursements for other parts of a practice drop. So there is a _potential_ for abuse. I have not seen this as widespread among my wife’s colleagues. As **Qadgop** says, there is a wide variety of practioners in terms of pratice style and quality. ---
**Author:** ![doctor1919](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@doctor1919](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctor1919)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/30 "2014-05-25T01:06:06Z")
I have been podiatrist myself and went to real medical school after that. Podiatrist can not take care of whole human body and are not allow to neither and If they step out of USA , including mexico or canada ,or any even 3rd world countries their degree is useless and not allow to even see foot so Seinfeld joke was based on fact otherwise wouldn’t be funny at all 😉 ---
**Author:** ![doctor1919](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@doctor1919](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctor1919)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/31 "2014-05-25T01:10:17Z")
I have been podiatrist myself and went to real medical school after that. Podiatrist can not take care of whole human body and are not allow to neither and If they step out of USA , including mexico or many other countries denmark, brazil, japan ,etc ,or any even 3rd world countries their degree is useless and not allow to even see foot so Seinfeld joke was based on fact otherwise wouldn’t be funny at all 😉 ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/32 "2014-05-25T02:28:51Z")
And I thought basic literacy was a prerequisite for medical school. (And even podiatrist school.) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/33 "2014-05-25T02:44:42Z")
Don’t medical students practice on cadavers? They should be well-equipped to recognize zombies, no? ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/34 "2014-05-25T03:00:45Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Don’t medical students practice on cadavers? They should be well-equipped to recognize zombies, no? It was an interesting read nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627/35 "2014-05-25T13:07:35Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > People don’t always trust non MD (or DOs). For instance I have been to Optometrists(sp?) and everytime they say I need glasses. I have never had any trouble seeing. I have no vision problems. On two seperate occasions I have been to Opthamologists(sp?)[I believe that is what they are called…MDs who treat Eye Diseases] and they both said…“You got eyes like a hawk” > > Optometrists may be out to sell you glasses. > > I had a great experience with a Chiropracter but there are some that claim they can cure other disease like Hypertension, Heart Problems etc… I don’t doubt your experiences, but I would like to add two of mine. My doctor sent me to a podiatrist because my orthotics were nearly 15 years old. They could have changed; my feet could have changed. She spent 15-20 minutes examining me and announced that my orthotics still fit fine. No charge! Not even for the examination. I went to my optometrist because I have one eye with poor vision. He spent a half hour and then said that nothing he could prescribe would really help and my current glasses were fine. No charge! I even asked him if he wasn’t in the business of selling glasses. Yes, but not if the customer was not going to be happy at the end. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podiatry-real-doctor-or-easy-to-get-degree/205627.md?page=1)