99213 - The Health Care Crisis: Doctor shortages: Podiatrists Shortage

It comes as no surprise to me that there is a projected shortage of Podiatrists> The foot care specialists are projected to be less easy to access due to declining admissions and graduates at Podiatric Medical Schools and increasing numbers of the aging population that will need foot care from a physcian. See below excerpt of the article from Podaitry Today Magazine. Read the full article here:

Is There A DPM Shortage On The Horizon?- By Brian McCurdy, Senior Editor

A decline in the number of graduating podiatric medical students combined with increasing demand for podiatric services could result in a shortage of DPMs, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA). Study authors note that since the late 1990s, podiatric medical schools have experienced a decline in the number of applications, resulting in a decreased number of DPMs per capita in the United States. The study notes that the number of DPM graduates must increase “dramatically” or the supply of podiatrists will not keep up with the demand for services. Approximately 52 million people, about 19 percent of the U.S. population, experience foot problems every year, according to the study authors. In 1995-96, 680 students graduated from podiatric medical programs yet this number dropped to 331 in 2006-07, according to the study. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects podiatric medicine job growth of about 16 percent between 2004 and 2014. A new study in JAPMA concludes that the number of current graduates from podiatry schools may not be able to keep pace with the projected future demand for podiatric services. The study notes several factors in the higher demand for podiatrists. First, the general population is projected to grow by 2.4 million people a year through 2050. Second, the population is aging and experiencing more foot problems, especially as the Baby Boomers begin to pass the age of 65. Third, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that the incidence of diabetes will increase 82 percent between 2005 and 2020. Finally, the incidence of obesity is increasing. This is projected to more than double between 2005 and 2030. In order to bolster the number of DPMs to keep up with the demand, the study authors suggest that all podiatric medicine schools "would have to nearly triple their current (number) of graduates." They also advocate the establishment of another podiatry school in addition to the recently established Western University of Health Sciences School of Podiatric Medicine, which will start having classes in the fall of 2009. Inside Insights From Educators "I have for years preached that demand for podiatric services would increase to the point that it would outstrip our ability to supply a sufficient number of podiatric physicians," says Jeffrey Page, DPM, the Director and Professor of the Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program at Midwestern University. "A reader might quibble with the exact numbers in the study, but when considered in the context of the nationwide physician shortage, you can readily see that the primary conclusion of the article is right on: we need more podiatrists." Dr. Page notes that the number of applications to podiatry schools bottomed out in 2000-01 and has modestly increased since then. He projects that the number of applications will be in the 400s in 2009. Dr. Page says some in the profession forget the average age of practicing podiatrists is about 45 and although Baby Boomer DPMs are considering retiring, there are too few graduating colleagues to take over their practices. He says the public's growing awareness of who podiatrists are and what they can offer fuels demand. Terence Albright, DPM, supports the JAPMA authors' conclusions based on federal census documents that project an increase in both the population and in the number of people age 60 and up. Dr. Albright also notes the continuing maldistribution of healthcare providers, including podiatrists, in the U.S. "The profession can increase the number of graduates but the need for services will increase and be met by other providers if our graduates do not serve in areas that do not have a podiatrist," says Dr. Albright, the Dean of the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University. Given that the aforementioned census projects that minorities will be in the majority by 2050, Dr. Albright also emphasizes that the profession needs to recruit more minority students to serve the future need for podiatric services.