Podiatry Schools

Detailed profiles of schools for Podiatry from the EdRef college search portal.

Podiatry programs prepare students to become Doctors of Podiatric Medicine in the allopathic tradition. Study in basic and clinical science is emphasized heavily in the curriculum with a focus on the lower extremities such as the feet and ankles. The first 2 years are spent learning about anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, chemistry, and other basic sciences crucial to the development of medical knowledge. The second 2 years are spent in clinical rotation in facilities such as hospitals and clinics. During the clinical rotation, students begin to examine patients, take medical histories, and assist with treatment and surgery.

A major emphasis in podiatry programs is learning to refer patients to the correct specialist. This is due to the fact that the foot is an area of the body that can show early signs and symptoms of very serious medical problems, such as diabetes and arthritis. Podiatrists are trained to identify these conditions and promptly refer patients to specialists who can treat them. Students of podiatry also learn to set foot fractures, perform foot surgeries, take medical histories, and prescribe medications.