The word “chiropody” first appeared in the English language sometime in the 18th century, branded by a “corn cutter” named David Low.  Even prior to this time, there were works written and devoted to the study and care of the foot; most notable being that of a Frenchman named Nicholas-Laurent LaForest who published L’Art de Soigner les Pieds (The Art of Care of the Feet) in 1781.  Despite these ancestral roots in foreign countries, the American Podiatric Medical Association is looking only to celebrate its 100th anniversary…a mere infant in the medical community, when compared to its counterparts. 

Regardless, Podiatry has made significant strides in this short interim to become a leader and educator on foot and ankle care; so much, in fact, that podiatry is now perceived in many areas as an integral and indispensable component of the medical community.  To most, this may seem “the perfect” direction for podiatry.  To others, however, it brings to light more complexity in what many of us now struggle with; the “work-life” balance.  With the push to increase the “scope” and training of podiatry comes the additional responsibility of caring for and treating more complex and arduous pathologies.  And although “glamorous” and intellectually challenging for many, these “newer” more demanding tasks place an ever-increasing burden on our lives “outside” of work.  The question herein becomes not how to “get more” with respects to medical equality, but how to balance the demands of these additional liberties of which we have asked and fought so hard to acquire. The answer, at least for myself, has yet to become clear, but as I progress through my career, I am learning how to manage this ever-evolving task.

The New Paradigm: You Get What You Ask For

Upon completion of my residency, I was eager to get to work and put to practice the skills of which I had been taught.  I lectured to and visited the local emergency departments and primary care groups, expounding upon my training in trauma and limb salvage.  Very shortly thereafter, I began receiving calls from these physicians to treat gangrenous wounds, ankle trauma and such.  I was overjoyed with the onslaught of work and the ability to use my training first hand. Although these cases were stimulating and rewarding, not having the benefit of residents, they began to overwhelm my schedule. I found myself visiting patients “in-house” early each morning, at lunch, in the evening, and on the weekends.  My desire to “stay busy” was soon taken over by my realization that I had lost what had originally brought me into podiatry as a career; the flexibility to work as a medical practitioner, while continuing to enjoy a family and hobbies. 

My work had become my life and my wife and children were relegated to acquaintances that I saw occasionally in the evenings, weekends, or Holidays.  One busy week in particular, I realized that I had not seen my children in almost a week, although we were all living under the same roof!  This was the time when I realized that, for me, it was too much.  I questioned how I could have gotten into this situation and realized that in retrospect I had received what I had asked for. I had asked to take trauma cases and had touted my training in diabetic wound care.  Was this wrong?  No, I think not.  But I realized that maybe this just wasn’t for me.  I made a personal decision to “give up” some of my liberties to treat complex pathology to spend more time with my family and enjoy time off.  And although I still today enjoy treating some of these complex cases, on occasion, I feel that in giving up some of this work, it has given me so much more fulfillment with my family and hobbies.  From this, I learned first hand that age old adage, “Be careful what you ask for; you may get it”

In addition to CME credit from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, podiatrists can now get CPME credit from the prestigious Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine by viewing the latest lectures on diabetic foot care on the PRESENT Diabetes web site.