Abstract
Podiatrists have an important role in providing care in a Foot and Ankle clinic. Most Foot and Ankle Surgeons welcome the assistance they can provide – in a supervised role. Most Trusts should have one Foot and Ankle Surgeon but there are a limited number of trained specialists. Some Trusts have been appointing ‘Consultant Podiatric Surgeons’ – perhaps as a way of addressing this shortfall.
There are potentially a number of concerns amongst Foot and Ankle Surgeons: the public perception of title ‘consultant’; a Non supervised role; Potential to be used as a more cost effective option
We therefore undertook a Questionnaire assessment of patients attending a Foot and Ankle Clinic. Over a six week period 148 patients attended the specialist clinic. Of those 76% responded. 64% were females. The average age range was 45-64. Most patients assumed the Consultant in charge of their care was a qualified medical practitioner (93%) and regulated by the GMC (92%) and who had completed a recognised higher surgical training scheme (93%). Irrespective of suitable experience 2 out of 3 patients stated they would object if the Consultant in charge of their care did not meet the above criteria.
If the patient required surgery 80% stated they would object if the supervising Consultant was not a medically qualified doctor (this was more important in female patients) Interestingly 78% stated they would refuse surgery unless they were under the care of a medically qualified doctor. Very few patients understood the title Consultant Podiatric Surgeon (with those responding assuming they were medical doctors)
This potentially has significant implications in those Trusts employing Consultant Podiatric Surgeons as opposed to Foot and Ankle (Orthopaedic) Surgeons. Unless this differential is clearly explained to the patients there is an issue with informed consent and the potential for litigation.
