Profession podiatrist
Podiatrists are foot specialists who study foot physiology and pathology from a structural and functional standpoint. They assess, diagnose, and treat physical, sporting injuries, rehabilitation, medical and surgical problems of the foot and lower limb in their clinical practice. Podiatrists are active outside the clinical environment in research, medico-legal, and forensic activities. Podiatrists act within the scope of their podiatry training, experience, and regulating authority of their member country.
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Personality Type
Knowledge
- Orthopaedic treatment alternatives
The appropriate available non-operative and operative treatment alternatives for common orthopaedic conditions and injuries, the benefits and limitations of each type of treatment as well as any potential side effects or complications of the treatment.
- Foot problems
Conditions and disorders affecting the health and well being of feet such as fungal infections, ingrown nails, verrucas, smelly feet, flat feet and bunions.
- Chiropody
Medical practice dealing with disorders of the feet.
- Sterilization techniques
The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.
- Behavioural therapy
The characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this can be un-learned.
- Human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
- Biomechanics
The use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.
- Histology
The microscopic analysis of cells and tissues.
- Human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
- Dermatology
Dermatology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- Immunology
Immunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- Pharmacology
Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- Kinetics
The study of movement and its causes.
- Orthopaedic conditions
The physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and natural history of common orthopaedic conditions and injuries.
- Health care system
The structure and function of health care services.
Skills
- Promote foot health
Provide information and guidance on means to keep ones feet healthy by wearing appropriate footwear or avoiding unhealthy practices such as fungal infections.
- Manage healthcare users' data
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
- Follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
- Apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
- Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
- Interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
- Ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
- Conduct podiatry consultation
Asses the condition of the patient`s feet by cutting his/hers toenails, removing any hard skin and checking for corns, calluses or verrucas and decide on a diagnosis.
- Comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
- Maintain medical devices
Ensure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.
- Develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
- Recommend orthotic devices
Suggest patients to use tailor-made insoles, padding and arch supports to relieve feet pain.
- Accept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.