Podiatrists diagnose and treat diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and help patients prevent foot-related disorders.

Podiatrists are health care professionals who are primarily concerned with patients' feet, just as dentists are primarily concerned with patients' mouths and optometrists are primarily concerned with patients' eyes. Podiatrists deal with all types of foot disorders including:

• ingrown toenails
• tumours and cysts
• bunions and bone growths
• warts, corns and calluses
• deformities from birth or neglect
• sprains and fractures
• abnormalities of gait and posture
• skin disorders.

In general, podiatrists:

• assess and diagnose foot problems by observing symptoms, reading x-rays and interpreting medical test results (for example, from blood tests, urinalysis, micro-organism cultures)
• treat foot problems by performing surgery on soft tissue and bone, prescribing orthotic devices, providing palliative care or, in some cases, prescribing medication.

Most podiatrists are self-employed and are therefore free to set their own hours. They generally work regular office hours but, for the convenience of their patients, may work some evenings and weekends.

Podiatrists spend part of their working hours standing, conducting examinations and treating patients, and the rest of their working hours sitting at a desk, consulting with patients and doing the required paperwork.

One post-secondary institution in Canada and eight in the United States provide training through a four year program leading to a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree:

• Universite de Quebec a Trois-Rivieres in Quebec (instruction in French)
• Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine  in Miami Shores, Florida
• Samuel Merritt College in San Francisco
• New York College of Podiatric Medicine  in New York
• Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine  in Cleveland
• Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago
• University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences - The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery  in Des Moines, Iowa
• Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona.

The minimum admission requirement for these programs is three pre-professional years at a recognized college or university with course work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and English. In general, applicants must have a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and successfully complete the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to be considered for admission.

The first two years in podiatry college consist of classroom instruction and laboratory work in sciences such as anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and pathology. In the final two years, the emphasis is on clinical practice and practical experience in all departments including surgery.

Graduates of four year podiatry programs generally complete two to three years of residency after graduation. Therefore, it usually takes students a total of eight to eleven years to complete their studies.

Under Alberta's Podiatry Act, only registered members of the Alberta Podiatry Association (APA) may call themselves Podiatrists. Registered members provide podiatric services as defined in the Podiatry Act and the Drugs, Chemicals and Compounds Regulation.

Most podiatrists work in general practice, either alone or in a group situation.

Advancement generally takes the form of becoming a recognized expert in specific types of foot problems or treatments.

Podiatrists are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 3123: Other Professional Occupations in Health Diagnosing and Treating. In Alberta, 91 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

There are relatively few podiatrists in Canada and most are located in large urban centres. Employment growth is best in smaller communities that currently have no specialized foot care services.

Podiatrists' earnings vary depending on:

• personal ability and reputation
• efficiency of practice management
• years of experience
• size and location of the practice
• government limits on expenditures for podiatric services.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

Alberta Podiatry Association (APA) website: www.albertapodiatry.com

Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) website: www.podiatrycanada.org