Podiatry

Podiatry is the non-medical healing of the foot. The name derives from the Greek pous ( πούς ) - genitive podos ( ποδός ) - for " foot" and logos ( λόγος ) for " teaching / customer " from.

The measures of podiatrists are varied and result from the fields of internal medicine ( Diabetology ), dermatology, surgery and orthopedics. They include preventive and curative therapeutic measures around the foot. Podiatrists are defined as specialist medical profession and non-medical health professional because of Podologengesetzes ( PodG ). Most podiatrists work with insurance approved because diabetics with subsequent damage to the foot in terms of a diabetic foot syndrome (DFS ) - (statutory and private ) can be obtained by the physician of the health insurance companies a remedy regulation podiatric complex treatment - as so far the only group.

Podiatrists work as an independent care provider in its own Podologiepraxen with or without health insurance license, as free people in a group practice or group practice or as employees in hospitals or special Fußambulanzen with other professional groups such as doctors, orthopedic shoemakers or physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc. together.

Legal framework

Germany

In Germany the Podologengesetz ( PodG ) and the Training and Examination Regulation for Podologinnen and podiatrists regulate ( PodAPrV ) the profession and the training of podiatrists. The job description is the youngest in the group of the basis of Article 74 Paragraph 1 No. 19 of the Basic Law (GG) regulated by a federal law called Health Professions.

Since 2002, the professional title " podiatrist / Podologin " and since 2003, the job title is "Medical chiropodist / podiatrist Medical " legally protected: Only with a license certificate authorities to hold the professional designation may be a practicing as a podiatrist person actually call it that. The abuse is generally a misdemeanor pursuant to § 132a of the Criminal Code, but is only punishable as a misdemeanor because of § 9 PodG and held with a fine or even a ( small ) imprisonment "only" with a fine ( up to 2500 € ) punished.

Before the entry into force of the PodG practicing Medical podiatrist could qualify in a 2002-2006 current transitional period with a supplementary examination in terms of a grandfathered for podiatrists.

First time in 2012 a course Podiatry has been established. It runs over a period of three years and lead to a Bachelor of Science in Podiatry (B.Sc. Podiatry ) from.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the Podiatry is a very common subject. The legal requirements are, however, in Switzerland fundamentally different than in Germany. The training for podiatrists EFZ is a three year full-time apprenticeship, which closes with the federal certificate.

For the self-employed person is in most cantons, the training to become a certified. Podiatrists HF required. In training to become a certified. Podiatrists HF is the treatment of patients at risk given particular weight. The training lasts in German Switzerland three years part-time and includes a total of 3600 hours of training. Basis of the course is a federally approved curriculum framework.

The podiatry is regulated in most cantonal health regulations. For the profession, the podiatrists need a professional license to practice the respective cantonal health authorities.

France

In France there are a total of eleven schools of podiatry. These colleges prepare students for depositing the state-approved podiatry degree. After this university a further Bachelor 's or Master's degree and later a doctorate can take place. Access to these universities is usually ensured by a qualifying examination. As a condition shall also the Abitur. There are in addition to the state universities and private schools for podiatry. The training includes three years theory and practice.

The field of activity of the treatments on the foot ( Podiatry ) is comparable to the German occupational field of podiatry. Here, too, can only be done under a doctor's statement is a medical therapy. Operations or technical diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, in France, as in Germany, the podiatrists not allowed. The Podiatry in France also produces alongside French orthopedic shoemakers orthotics to measure.

Spain

In Spain, the Podiatry is a field of study, which partly runs along with his medical studies and therefore also lead to an academic degree ( diploma ) ends. Then you can seek a master's degree or a doctorate of podiatry. The course normally lasts about 4 years and in that time have 240 ECTS to prove at trial fields. In Spain there are 12 universities for the course podiatry. Contents of this podiatric university studies in addition to the conventional medical basic subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and pathology, the subjects of radiology, pharmacology, general medicine and specialized surgery on the foot. The Podiatry in Spain thus conducts its own investigations, with the aim of a diagnosis and a subsequent choice of therapy, which may be accompanied at the base with smaller, local operations.

Portugal

The activity of podiatry in the Republic of Portugal is comparable with that of the neighboring country, Spain. Again, minor foot surgery be performed by the podiatry. In Portugal since 1994 was able to study, but from 1997 the academic degree ( diploma ) is awarded only podiatry. Portugal was one of he first countries to. Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, in accordance with the Bologna process of podiatry The control study in Portugal lasting three years ( 6 semesters) two more years ( 8 semesters) for the Bachelor and again two more years (a total of 10 semesters ) for the Master's degree in Podiatry (300 ECTS). Portugal is cooperating in terms of podiatry, very with the Latin American country, Brazil. Therefore regular joint events and conventions are held.

Greece

In Greece, there is still no legal provisions for the occupational group of podiatrists. Thus, the Podiatry have not heard in a group of medically regulated professions. Many podiatrists, which are established in Greece and worked, have acquired their education abroad. But due to lack of rules and controls, including any activity of foot care in Greece is called podiatry, even if cosmetic treatments are in the foreground. This begins with a simple foot care training to a highly qualified, state-certified training from two to four years. Therefore Idealistic Podiatrists require a regulated training and the creation of a professional on an international basis. In return, the Greek Podologenverband uses.