Murray,
I am glad to hear that you are comfortable with your decision to study podiatry. Podiatrist are doing some great work out there!
As an example, Dr. Dror Paley, MD, of Rubin Institute of Advance Orthopedics and International Center for Limb Lengthening has named a podiatrist as his chief resident on at least one occasion. I think this is pretty cool.
Personally, I think podiatry has a lot to offer. It incorporates derm, neuro, surgery, biomechanics, and medicine into one career. In addition, one can have a normal work schedule with out call if one wishes.
As will be suggested in your Fundamentals of Podiatric Medicine and Research class, you should make an attempt to read at least one journal article per week. Although some will find this to be a challenging task during their studies, I think it is a great idea to implement. Reading Journal articles will remind you of the possibilities available to podiatrist and how the field is rapidly changing in one sense and stagnant in another sense. Scholl has some great researchers associated with the college and Rosalind Franklin University. Among them are Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Wu of Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research. In addition, I think Dr. Lidtke, who is associated with many organizations including Weil Institute of Foot and Ankle, will always publish thought provoking articles.
During this past summer, I have asked practicing surgeons and clinicians, podiatric researchers, and a director of residency what journals one should monitor to gain a better understanding of podiatry and its path. Here are some suggestions: JBJS, JAPMA, Foot and Ankle International, Clinics of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
From my experience, I began the route of podiatric medicine with a genuine desire to help people and work with patients. As time has progressed, I really became driven to become a podiatric physician after I started reading articles related to supramalleolar osteotomy, considerations in triple arthrodesis, subtalar arthrodesis, charcot foot, hallux rigidus, flexible flat foot, diabetes, neuropathy, tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis..etc...
As a side note:
Recently, several bills have been introduced in the 109th Congress to recognize podiatric physicians in different areas. If you would like to learn more about these bills, please visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html and type podiatry or podiatric medicine or both.