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Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Volume 99 Number 3 223-231 2009
Copyright © 2009 American Podiatric Medical Association

Public Perceptions of the Podiatrist and the DPM Degree

Michael D. Akers, DPM *, Jennifer M. VanDemark-Teplica, DPM {dagger}, Alex Kiss, PhD {ddagger}, Donna M. Alfieri, DPM, CIP § and Maureen B. Jennings, DPM, MS §

* New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY. Dr. Akers is now with HealthDrive, Meriden, CT.
{dagger} New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY. Dr. VanDemark-Teplica is now with Crozer-Keystone Medical Center, Upland, PA.
{ddagger} Department of Research Design and Biostatistics, Scientist Clinical Epidemiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, ON.
§ New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY. Dr. Jennings is now with Jennings Institute for Clinical Research, Brick, NJ.

Corresponding author: Michael D. Akers, DPM, Health-Drive, One Prestige Dr, Ste 107, Meriden, CT 06450. (E-mail: mikeakers11{at}yahoo.com)

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to ascertain public perception of the terms podiatry and DPM.

Methods: We distributed a survey to 847 people in ten states across the United States. It was hypothesized that most respondents would be less familiar with the DPM degree than the term podiatrist. It was also expected that people would choose MD over DPM for more complex procedures.

Results: The majority of respondents selected a podiatrist and a DPM as a foot specialist, almost one-half selected DPM for foot surgery, but only one-third stated they would have foot surgery done by a DPM if they had a heart problem. In addition, it was hypothesized that respondents would choose the contrived PMD over DPM simply because PMD looks more like MD; this was not shown to be true.

Conclusions: Although there are gaps in the public knowledge, our study revealed a greater familiarity with podiatry and the DPM degree than originally thought. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(3): 223–231, 2009)






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Copyright © 2009 by the American Podiatric Medical Association.