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The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in Podiatric Medicine prepares student for the podiatric medicine field. The podiatric physician is a health professional who is involved with examination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders by physical, medical and surgical means. A podiatric medicine doctor is trained to detect the signs of systemic disease which may appear first in the lower extremity, such as diabetes or circulatory disorders. When such diagnoses are made, the podiatric physician consults with the patient's family doctor concerning the systemic disease.

A career in podiatric medicine can include the areas of primary care, surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, geriatrics and pediatrics.

Program Learning Outcomes

The following educational outcomes will be attained as a result of the cumulative effect of both didactic instruction in the basic medical sciences and clinical courses, as well as, clinical experiences afforded through clinical rotations and clerkship experiences. The goal is to prepare the graduate for successful entry into postdoctoral training program.

• To have an appreciation of the ethical responsibilities of the physician to his or her patient.
• Demonstrate an understanding of medical statistics, epidemiology and research methods.
• Diagnose common foot and ankle pathology utilizing signs, symptoms, differential diagnosis, laboratory and X-ray evaluations; and discuss treatment alternatives available in each diagnosis, including the following:
• Hallux valgus
• Hallux limits
• Contracted and deformed lesser digits
• Hyperpronation on hind foot
• Hypersupination of hind foot
• Morton's Neuroma
• Capsulities of forefoot
• To have an understanding of the medical, social, economic, ethnic and cultural issues and concerns of the geriatric population.
• To have an appreciation of civil, criminal and administrative laws that impact podiatric practice.
• To have knowledge of podiatric practice administration.
• To have an understanding of the public health issues that impact podiatric practice.
• To be able to provide podiatric primary care in a clinical setting.
• Is proficient in the ability to perform a history and basic physical examination, including the lower extremity.
• Recognize the common major dermatologic conditions, and manage pedal dermatological problems.
• Be knowledgeable of the major systemic diseases, their pedal manifestations and implication in the management of the podiatric patient.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the pathology, clinical presentation and treatment of general neurological disease, and understand the pedal manifestations of neurological diseases.
• Understand common emergent medical problems and their management.
• Ability to perform a complete podiatric biomechanical arthrometric examination, and interpret the results.
• Prescribe and institute orthotic or other mechanical therapy (physical therapy, activity modification, exercise therapy, shoe therapy, etc.), based upon findings of a podiatric biomechanical arthrometric examination.

Accreditation

The D.P.M. degree in Podiatric Medicine is accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).