Podiatry Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope

What is Podiatry

Podiatry is a branch of medical science that deals with the lower half of the body, particularly the legs and feet. They are sometimes involved in diagnosing issues of the lower abdomen too. Popularly known as foot doctors, they specialize in issues of the ankles, the feet palm, and the toes and fingers of the feet.

The feet and ankles form one of the most important parts of our body. They perform functions of locomotion and skill development, such as dancing and athletics. These limbs are used greatly in our everyday life. Due to the serious use of our feet and ankles, they are also more prone to injuries and pains. To manage these ailments, podiatry comes to the rescue.

Podiatrists can be involved in different branches of the field, such as specializations in wound care, paediatrics, sports medicine, diabetes, and surgery. They analyze the conditions of the feet and diagnose any ailments or disorders that may be present. They also provide treatment for these ailments through exercises, special footwear, and improve the patient’s mobility. They are responsible for performing foot surgeries if required, which can range from fracture repairs to correcting foot deformities. It is a growing field in medicine that offers good career opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Podiatry

Bachelor’s- Interested candidates:

●       Must have qualified 10+2 level from a recognized educational institution.

●       Must have pursued Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology at the 10+2 level. English is a compulsory subject.

●   Must achieve a minimum 50% aggregate score.

Master’s- Interested candidates:

●       Must possess an MBBS degree.

●       Must have achieved 45-55% aggregate in the MBBS level.

●   Must have finished the 1-year internship. 

Entrance Exams for Podiatry

Any MBBS student must mandatorily write NEET. After filing an application for NEET and completing the registration procedures, they will receive their admit card and will be allowed to attend the exam. These NEET scores will determine their entry into any institution for podiatry. The admissions are merit-based, and the better their NEET score, the better the institution of study.

After this selection is done, the students are called for counselling in order of their scores. They are then asked to select their preferred college from the choices provided to them, which depends on the NEET score.

After completing MBBS, the student can pursue DPM from any institution offering it. These institutions have their entrance examinations, which must be passed for entry. They can also be admitted based on the NEET scores. After completing the DPM, they have to apply for a license to practice podiatry as one cannot practice medicine without a license.

MBBS Exams:

• NEET: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is overseen by the National Testing Agency. This is the entrance examination for all students that wish to study medicine or dentistry courses in India. Entry is given to both government and private colleges based on this test. This test contains 180 questions with negative marking.

Required Skillset for Podiatry

Podiatry is a specialized branch of medicine which means that other than having strong technical knowledge and experience in the field, some other extra skills are required for these students. These skills include:

• Interpersonal Skills: A DPM student must have excellent interpersonal skills. These doctors work in close contact with the patients and therefore, must be good at interacting with them. They must be able to explain medical terminology and conditions in layman’s terms. They may also have to work in teams, especially during surgery, which makes good communication and interpersonal skills important.
• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is another important aspect of podiatry. DPM’s must be able to think and reason critically and innovatively. They must be able to quickly diagnose ailments of the feet and discover solutions for them.
• Calm Demeanor: Podiatrists must have a calm demeanour. Since they work closely with patients, they must be calm and rational and help soothe and comfort the patients while completing their job.
• Detail-Oriented: A podiatrist must be detail-oriented to provide accurate diagnoses and treatment. They must take into account a patient's medical history and other factors before deciding on a treatment plan.