STRIDE STORIES: My experiences as a podiatrist in Qatar

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Oman, a country known for its rich history and blend of tradition and modernity. Growing up, I was deeply influenced by the values of Omani culture, the warmth and kindness of its people, respect for traditions, and the importance of family.

 

I have always been passionate about both science and sports, which inspired me to pursue a degree in podiatry. In 2009, I graduated from high school and competed with all the graduates from across Oman to apply for a scholarship abroad.

 

I was fortunate to receive a sponsored scholarship to study podiatry at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, marking the beginning of my journey.

 

What was the decision to move to Australia like?

The decision to move to Australia was thrilling and also, daunting. I have this vivid memory of my dad picking me up from a tutor (who I used to share with some of my classmates). As we drove home, I gazed out the car window, wondering what the world outside my little bubble was like. I’ve always had this curiosity to explore, to see beyond my own world, and to imagine what’s out there.

 

I have always been curious about different cultures and perspectives, and Australia offered me a chance to expand my horizons. It was a big step out of my comfort zone, and it taught me resilience and adaptability. I learned how to navigate a new culture, forge new friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of global perspectives.

 

What happened after you graduated?

I moved back to Oman and the scope of work in Oman was mainly limited to diabetic foot care, and I wanted more. I started traveling outside of Oman, attending conferences, participating in clinical rotations within the private sector, and networking to develop my skills.

 

While working in Oman, I was always passionate about sports and biomechanics, so I applied several times through Aspetar Hospital’s online portal. Aspetar is the first sports medicine hospital in the Middle East, and its focus is on providing world-class care for athletes and individuals with sports-related injuries.  However, I received rejection emails, likely due to my lack of experience as a recent graduate. Despite this, I didn’t give up.

 

To make a long story short, I was eventually offered a job at Aspetar in Qatar. As a female podiatrist in a male dominated field, this experience taught me that “hard work puts you where good luck finds you. Ever since, I’ve firmly believed in this.

 

At Aspetar, one of the world’s leading sports medicine hospitals, I had the chance to practice podiatry as part of a multidisciplinary team. I worked closely with athletes, helping them recover from injuries and enhance their performance, which was truly rewarding.

 

It’s essential to work hard, explore every opportunity, seek them out, and take risks, when necessary, as all of these experiences will prepare you to be in the right place where good luck and great opportunities will eventually come to you.

 

You were the first female podiatrist at Aspetar Hospital in Qatar, is that correct?

Yes. Being the first female podiatrist at Aspetar was both an incredible honour and a significant responsibility. While I was thrilled to break new ground, it also presented challenges, especially in a male-dominated field like sports.

 

Additionally, as a young podiatrist, I often faced skepticism about my experience based on my age. However, I was determined to prove that neither gender nor age should determine one’s abilities during my time at Aspetar, and indeed throughout my career.

 

I recall many instances where patients initially hesitated to see a young podiatrist, concerned about a lack of experience, only to be pleasantly surprised by my care and expertise. Often, they left not only rebooking for themselves but also scheduling appointments for their family members. Over time, I built strong professional relationships and was able to inspire other women to pursue careers in the sports field.

 

Looking back, my experience in Qatar was transformative, both professionally and personally. It taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of breaking barriers. Today, I carry the lessons learned from working in such a dynamic environment, always striving to provide the best care while continuing to advocate for more opportunities for women in the field.

 

Can you please share what a typical ‘Day in your life’ consists of, as a podiatrist in Qatar?

A typical day as a podiatrist working in a sports clinic is fast-paced, varied, and focused on helping athletes of all levels perform at their best while preventing injuries.

 

My morning usually begins with reviewing my schedule. On “athlete assessment” days, my clinic runs from 9 am to 4 pm, with each athlete having a one-hour slot.

 

I typically start at 8:00 am by reviewing patient files, checking referrals, and planning my day. I also prepare for my follow-up clinic to ensure that any patient is scheduled to pick up custom-made foot orthoses this week has their orthotics ready and finished for dispense.

 

In an assessment clinic where the athlete is seen for the first time, a typical case would be someone like my recent patient Ahmed, a 20-year old athlete.

 

Ahmed plays football and trains five times a week. He comes to the clinic for “pes planus”.  Despite his foot posture causing any pain or problems but his club doctor referred him to get foot orthotics to fix what he believes is a “pathological foot posture”. I conducted my clinical musculoskeletal examination, then asked Ahmed to walk on an instrumented treadmill at speed of 4 km/h to conduct gait analysis.

 

We observe his walking from back (frontal) & side camera (sagittal). I look at the whole alignment starting from pelvis, knee down to the feet during contact, then I foot level, I observe the extent of medial arch drop how fast and how much visually there is a drop, look for “how much toes visible on each side” to check forefoot abduction/adduction from frontal plane. After recording, I then stop the treadmill and go through plantar pressure reports with Ahmed to discuss it in the context of his dynamic gait that we just observed.

 

I then start talking about pes planus and that it is not considered a pathology, it is only and, in most cases, (when it is symptom-free and without functional impairment) it is only considered a postural variant, and only in few cases it can be classified as a deformity.

 

We always must consider the clinical picture, patient age (are they in a growth/development phase or not), severity of pes planus to be able to argue if orthotic therapy can be initiated. In Ahmed’s case, footwear education is crucial, as getting footwear that provides stability, and support is far more important than anything else. For insoles, since he is injury-free, insoles are not indicated at this stage. Ahmed was reassured and discharged from the clinic with footwear education only. He is asked to follow up as needed if any change happens in the future.

 

For some patients when custom foot orthotics is required, the one-hour slot is very efficient because the time remaining after patient assessment and consultation is utilised to design custom foot orthotics using patient’s 3D foot scan in FitFoot software, then the design is sent to the milling machine ready to be milled in  around 15 minutes at maximum speed for each pair.

 

On some occasions, patients may not show up to their appointments so I utilise the one-hour slot by going to the lab to mill any pending requests for custom orthotics, sometimes I sit at my desk and go through some articles or listen to a podcast.

 

Can you share how Aspetar Hospital in Qatar differs (or shares similarities) with public hospitals in Australia?

Aspetar is the first sports medicine hospital in the Middle East, and its focus is on providing world-class care for athletes and individuals with sports-related injuries.

 

Unlike public hospitals, Aspetar is dedicated to sports medicine, meaning the majority of its services are tailored to managing and treating athletic injuries, optimising performance, and supporting rehabilitation.

 

The key difference is the specialisation at Aspetar. While Australian public hospitals provide comprehensive healthcare services to the general population, Aspetar is primarily focused on sports medicine, catering to athletes of all levels, from elite professionals to recreational enthusiasts.

 

I believe Australian podiatrists will be particularly interested in the advanced, state-of-the-art technology we use at Aspetar clinics for creating custom foot orthoses. These orthotics are crafted with great precision using the latest technology, and they are produced in-house within a short timeframe, eliminating the need to send foot impressions or casts to external laboratories. This approach is both cost-efficient and time-saving. What sets this process apart is that the clinician is involved in every step in the process, from foot scanning to the final dispensing of the orthotics.

 

One similarity between Aspetar and public hospitals in Australia is the emphasis on multidisciplinary care.

 

At Aspetar, podiatrists work closely with physiotherapists, sports physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and other professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans for athletes. This collaborative approach is also prevalent in Australian public hospitals, where podiatrists work as part of a broader healthcare team. The goal in both settings is to provide holistic care and ensure the best outcomes for patients, especially in cases involving complex conditions.

 

What are workforce issues like in Qatar when it comes to the allied health workforce?

There is indeed a shortage of podiatrists in Qatar, especially when it comes to specialists with expertise in sports field.

 

The demand for podiatrists has been steadily growing due to the country’s focus on sports development and hosting major international events like the FIFA World Cup. However, despite efforts to recruit internationally, there is still a gap between the demand for services and the available workforce.

 

This shortage means that many podiatrists, including those like myself, often find ourselves handling a wide range of cases, sometimes outside our primary scope of practice. While this can be challenging, it also offers opportunities for professional growth and the chance to develop a broad skill set in different areas of podiatry. Additionally, the multidisciplinary nature of care in Qatar means that podiatrists often collaborate closely with sports physicians, physiotherapists, and other specialists, which can be both rewarding and enriching.

 

In the next issue of STRIDE, Lubna expands on her experiences in Qatar in this two-part series. Lubna shares what it was like to work as a podiatrist at major sports events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the IAAF World Athletics Championship – and what lessons she has learned along the way.