The Voice of Podiatrists

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December 06, 2007 #3,110 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Feet Get No Respect Until They Hurt: CA Podiatrist

It’s no surprise that nearly half of all Americans will experience foot problems at some point in their lives, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. And while damage may not show up until later in life, the problem starts earlier and worsens as times goes by, said Jean Turner, a podiatrist in Sebastopol, CA. "The average American adult walks 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day," Turner said.

Dr. Jean Turner

The populations most at risk for serious foot problems are diabetics, athletes and people with peripheral arterial disease, especially smokers, Turner said. And of course, there are always those who put shoe fashion over foot health. "Feet are ignored, overworked and squeezed into old, tight and trendy shoes," Turner said. "They get no respect or attention until foot pain prevents routine activities."

Source: Susan Swartz, Wilmington Morning Star (NC) [12/1/07]

OPMA Elects Dr. Mark Gould as President

The Ohio Podiatric Medical Association (OPMA) has elected Mark Gould, DPM, as president for the Association’s 2008 year. Dr. Gould succeeds Dr. Peter A. Wiggin, who served as OPMA president in 2007. Dr. Gould is a member of the Northeastern Academy of the OPMA, serves as a Trustee on the Alumni Board at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and practices in Avon Lake, OH.

Dr. Mark Gould

The following were elected to the executive committee for 2008:
Dr. Mark Gould, President
Dr. Kevin Sneider, 1st Vice President, of Port Clinton
Dr. Thomas W. Kunkel, 2nd Vice President, of Girard
Dr. Angelo Petrolla, Secretary/Treasurer, of Youngstown
Dr. Peter A. Wiggin, Immediate Past President of Mansfield

APMA Trustees elected were: Dr. Bruce G. Blank of Stewartville; Dr. Bruce Saferin of Toledo; and Dr. Alan Block of Columbus. Dr. Richard Berkowitz of Cleveland was elected as Alternate Delegate. They will serve along with Dr. Paul Lieberman, who will chair the delegation; Dr. Kevin Schroeder of Beavercreek; Dr. Peter A. Wiggin and Alternate Trustee Dr. Mark Gould.

The following will serve as the 2008 Board of Trustees for OPMA: Dr. Brian Ash of West Chester, Young Physician; Kristen Burton of Lakewood, Student Member of OCPM; Dr. David J. Hintz, MPH of Elyria; Dr. Karen Kellogg of Fairlawn; Dr. Paul Lieberman of Brooklyn; Dr. Todd Loftus of Columbus; Dr. Kevin Schroeder of Beavercreek; Dr. Bruce Saferin of Toledo and Dr. David Zink of Cincinnati.

Many Docs Mum On Errors, Incompetence: Study

Nearly half of 1,662 physicians surveyed say they have declined to report incompetent behavior or medical errors by their peers, according to an article in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The survey of primary-care and specialty physicians found that 45% weren’t always reporting impaired or incompetent colleagues in their practices, and 46% of physicians who knew of a serious medical error were not reporting the error “at least once” to authorities. The study was conducted by the Institute on Medicine as a Profession’s Survey on Medical Professionalism, and appears this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

“This raises serious questions about the ability of the medical profession to regulate itself,” said Eric Campbell, one of the lead authors of the study, who attended a news conference to release the survey, along with other researchers and members of the physician community.

Although nearly half don’t report instances of incompetence or medical errors, nearly all of the physicians surveyed said that they believed such instances should be reported to the proper authorities. Some 93% thought physicians should report all significant medical errors to authorities, and 96% thought physicians should report all instances of impaired or incompetent colleagues to authorities.

Source: Jennifer Lubell, Modern Health Care [12/3/07]

Query: Used Surgical Handpieces

Does anyone know of a good source to purchase used Storz Ergo hand pieces?

Gary Hoberman, Chicago, IL

Query: Educating The Medical Community About Podiatry

Many podiatrists deal with a lack of awareness regarding our skills by their referring physicians. What’s a good source for short informative articles regarding some common topics, such as bunions, neuromas, heel pain, and other common foot ailments in a format directed to the medical community? I have found many such articles geared to the general public, but hardly any that a referring physician would appreciate.

Frank DiPalma, DPM, Athens, GA

RE: Record Storage (Alan Mauser DPM)
From: Robert Bondi, DPM

Buy a high-speed scanner with a self-feed, .e.g., Cannon 2580c. It will come with document management software or you can convert it to other file formats such as .pdf. It will eliminate your storage fees and you don’t need to have an EMR, but they will be ready when you do.

Robert Bondi, DPM, Lee’s Summit , MO, Robert.Bondi@Foot-Docs.com

RE: Office Dictation Systems (Syed Ahmed DPM)
From: Allen Mark Jacobs, DPM

I wanted to add a caveat with regard to the use of "macros", something discussed in the recent PM commentary on dictation software. In the unfortunate event that a record review by a third-party carrier or as part of discovery in a malpractice case occurs, the use of macros can be used to imply less than accurate record keeping. Having had experience as an expert witness in such litigation on more than one occasion, I must warn you that such macros should accurately reflect the evaluation and management of patient encounters. Please make appropriate "adjustments" in order to individualize macros as necessary.

Although tempting to do so in an effort to save time, the same wording in note after note after note (eg-skin or nail care in a diabetic) can be construed by a lawyer or investigator as casting doubt on the veracity of your record keeping when a patient or third party disputes the actual circumstances of one or more encounters.

For example, I have reviewed charts in which repeated macros attest to severe circulatory disease in order to justify toenail care, following which the patient undergoes elective surgery. When complications occur, and the patient charts contain qualifying criteria for toenail care, there are only two possible explanations; the doctor committed fraud to be paid for nail care, or the doctor was incredibly stupid. Either way, the doctor loses. Ditto notes for ulcer debridement, or for common problems such as heel pain, bunions, hammer toes.

In short, when using macros, also use your head.

Allen Mark Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO, allenthepod@sbcglobal.net

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City . Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

ASSOCIATE POSITION - VIRGINIA

Immediate opening. Multi-office practice, EMR, digital x-rays, sonography. Great opportunity for mature, well trained new or established surgeon. Hospital and surgery center privileges. ABPS eligible/certified. Full scope of foot and ankle care. Base salary, incentive, and benefits. Email CV to practice administrator at: mtrevor41@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WEST COAST, FL

Outstanding opportunity for PSR-36 graduate to join highly successful group podiatry practice in Summer 2008. Seeking a sociable, articulate graduate who is confident in rearfoot and ankle reconstructive cases but also enjoys all phases of podiatry. Long-term opportunity for the right candidate with generous pay and benefits. Reply to jwicks@ips-med.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA

Multi-specialty group is looking to add another Podiatric Surgeon or General Podiatrist to our well-established group. Office locations in northwestern Pennsylvania. Unlimited opportunities exist for the right Associate, wound care experience is a plus. Please forward your CV to adminsec@ips-mso.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com -- www.homephysicians.com

PART-TIME PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLUSHING, NY

40 year old part time practice for sale. Priced for quick sale. Please contact me at footdoc60@gmail.com. Serious inquires only please

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTH CAROLINA

Upstate SC practice of 25 years. Retiring. High Volume. 65% routine foot care, 35% surgery. Several nursing homes. Plenty of opportunity for growth. Grosses over $450,000.00 yearly. Hospital and Surgery Center privileges. Financials available upon request. Serious inquiries only! Beautiful area. Contact: Carolinafootdoctor@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Tired of Nursing Home Care? Ready to join a well-established practice with 2 Board Certified Foot Surgeons? If you are a personable, ethical and responsible, hard-working podiatrist with interest in conservative care, including sports medicine, this may be the position for you. Competitive salaries, 401-K, health insurance, paid vacation and more. Please forward CV with references to nrussell@neondsl.com

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