Dr Mike Frecklington, Head of Podiatry, Auckland University of Technology explains why he loves podiatry so much – and why it is one of the greatest roles in allied healthcare.
Like many health care professions, podiatry faces challenges relating to workforce retention and attrition. This, combined with the declining enrolments into podiatry programs globally, is an alarming concern with significant short and long-term implications for workforce pipeline and sustainability. The resulting unmet need for podiatry services reduces access to those that need us most, and places further strain on our current workforce. This problem is complex, multifaceted and requires a collective approach to finding solutions.
One of the key factors in this, is the lack of awareness of the work that we do as podiatrists, amongst prospective students and users of our services. Part of the solution is how we frame the promotion of podiatry as a career, as well as reinforcing the value of podiatry and the impact our work has on the people and communities we serve. Celebrating the diversity of podiatry can also help to combat issues with workforce retention and attrition.
Many students who come through podiatry programs don’t enrol because of marketing campaigns, open days and glossy pamphlets. They choose to study podiatry because they have been inspired by their interactions with you as their podiatrist. Narratives we commonly encounter range from the pair of orthotics that allowed them to continue playing the sport they love, the surgical treatment of a painful ingrown toenail that failed to respond to multiple courses of antibiotics, the removal of a grandparent’s painful corn that brought instant relief, through to the podiatrist that helped to save a family member’s limb and life through the assessment and management of their diabetic foot complications. Every contact we have with our patients emphasises the amazing work that we do, and actively promotes the profession and difference we make to lives of the people we treat.
When you do encounter people in your clinical practice that express an interest in podiatry, it can be difficult to know what to say, or where to direct people, so reach out to your local university or the Australian Podiatry Association (APodA) for assistance with marketing materials, tips and strategies. Sharing the reasons that you chose to pursue a career in podiatry, the paths it has taken you on, and which changes in clinical practice you have seen over time is incredibly powerful. Whilst the creation of marketing collateral for podiatry courses largely rests with universities, you as a podiatrist are in fact our greatest marketing tool.
In my role I’m often asked the questions such as “what makes a good podiatrist?”, “who is a good fit for podiatry?”, “what skills lend themselves to podiatry?”. There often isn’t a simple answer to these questions because there is such a wide range of things that we do, many of which people are not aware of. Illustrating this is important as people may not be aware how well their interests, skills and goals align with a career in podiatry. For example, entry-criteria into health degrees tend to place an emphasis on the sciences, however, it’s worth considering other skills and strengths that are essential to becoming a successful podiatrist.
Communication is a core capability for clinical practice. Podiatrists work with people across the lifespan, so being able connect with people and build relationships is one of the most important parts of what we do.
Podiatry is an excellent career choice for those that enjoy working with others to help them achieve their goals. For people that are practical learners and enjoy being ‘hands-on’, highlighting the translation of these skills to the extensive range of clinical assessments and treatment modalities we use to identify and manage lower limb problems. Highlighting that some podiatrists are business owners that run innovative multi-disciplinary clinics, may appeal to that person with an enterprising or entrepreneurial mindset. In situations where you are talking to people that are interested in podiatry, showcasing the full scope of practice and career opportunities is a great way for people to see if podiatry is good fit for them.
Having diversity in career options is not only an attraction for entering a profession, but also a way of enhancing retention. For us as podiatrists, we can work across a range of different settings be it private practice, public health, education, research, leadership, mentoring or alongside industry partners.
We can choose to work across the scope of podiatry whereas others may specialise in a focused area of practice. Having the ability to tailor your career to your needs and lifestyle is a real strength of our profession. It’s important to not forget that our qualifications and skill set are also recognised internationally.
From my own perspective, using podiatry as a vehicle to travel has provided me with some of the most exciting and enriching clinical and cultural experiences. If you do find yourself at a career crossroad, it is important to embrace these moments and use them as an opportunity to reflect on your journey as podiatrist, the skills you have gained and mastered along the way. As clinical practice continues to evolve, there is always more to learn and new opportunities to seek out.
The current workforce challenges that our profession faces require a proactive and collective effort to reframe the perception of podiatry and to emphasise the profound impact we have on people and community. Using authentic narratives from clinical practice and showcasing the alignment of skills to the diverse career options can help to create a pathway towards a sustainable and thriving future.
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