Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs)

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are specialists in the foot and ankle. Some specialize in conservative care while others practice mostly as surgeons. They are unmatched in their understanding of the foot’s biomechanics. The value of podiatry,” UCSF Center for the Health Professions Executive Director Edward H. O’Neil, PhD wrote in 1996, “is manifested in the intense knowledge and expertise in care of the foot, something no other profession can avow.”

Many DPMs specialize in care and preservation of the diabetic foot. DPMs also assist other doctors in non-podiatric surgeries, because of their special skills and doctor-patient relationships. DPMs are the only medical specialty limited to its area of expertise by the license itself, an innovation the profession embraced decades ago to enhance patient protection. They also are the only doctors in California required to do two-years of postgraduate training prior to licensure. Then, at each two-year license renewal, DPMs must meet peer-reviewed continuing competence requirements, over and above continuing medical education, for an additional level of safety that the profession recommended to the Legislature in 1998. Higher standards help prevent patient harm, and DPMs support this commitment by paying a higher licensing fees. This fee is more than other doctors and health care providers pay.

DPMs graduate from one of seven podiatric medical schools (an eighth is in process of being approved), which are specialized four-year medical schools affiliated with larger health science teaching centers. While providing general medical training, they concentrate on the eventual specialty and other areas of medicine most related. Each of the schools and subsequent graduate medical education programs (2-3 years duration) required thereafter must be approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for accrediting the schools.

Prior to initial licensure, DPMs also must pass Parts I, II and III of the exams administered by the Educational Testing Service for the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. On the recommendation of the profession’s state association, California requires a Part III passing score higher than the national passing score as an added measure of quality for Californians.

Many individuals provide foot care, but only licensed doctors (MDs, DPMs, or DOs) may diagnose, treat, and prescribe for medical conditions. Among doctors, none receive more intensive foot and ankle training or meet higher licensure and renewal requirements than DPMs.