Should I Get A Referral to See a Podiatrist?
If you’re considering seeing a podiatrist, chances are you’ve asked yourself if you need a referral first. After all, many medical practitioners require referrals from a family doctor or specialist when they have a new patient. Referrals are endorsements from a primary care physician or specialist. They serve to both inform the new provider about the current state of your health and to verify that the provider is adequately trained to treat your condition. When it comes to podiatry, referrals are beneficial for some patients, but not always required. So do you need a referral to see a podiatrist? It depends on your situation and the particular DPM you’re planning to see.
What Is a Referral?
A medical referral involves a doctor, such as a primary care physician, referring a patient to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment. The referral is a necessary step for the patient to access certain specialists, including cardiologists, urologists, and other specialists. The process usually involves a primary care physician writing a letter to the specialist. This letter outlines the patient’s medical history, complaints, and symptoms.
The referral may also include test results, X-ray images, or other medical documents. In most cases, the specialist will then assess the patient’s condition and determine the appropriate course of treatment. The patient typically has to wait at least several days or weeks before hearing back from the specialist. In some cases, the primary care doctor may be able to provide follow-up care after the specialist has seen the patient. Regardless, referrals are essential in helping ensure that patients receive the best medical care possible.
Is a Podiatrist a Specialist?
Many specialists need referrals from a physician, but is a podiatrist a specialist? Yes. The primary focus of a podiatrist’s practice is to prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists are qualified health professionals certified by their state’s medical boards to practice podiatric medicine. They are required to complete their formal training. Then, they must hold at least one year of certifications through the American Board of Podiatric Surgery before they can be licensed to practice.
A podiatrist works hand-in-hand with other medical professionals such as orthopedists, neurologists, general practitioners, and primary care providers. This ensures any patient’s particular condition is given the best possible treatment and care. Podiatrists can also offer preventative care. This can include providing screenings and advice to help patients avoid or prevent foot and ankle injuries and conditions.
Podiatrists are specialists skilled in areas such as podopediatrics, orthopedics, diffraction, soft and hard tissue healing, biomechanics, geriatrics, and sports medicine. They are trained to treat many conditions, including foot and ankle fractures, injuries, problems associated with diabetes, arthritis, and pediatric deformities. They can also provide orthotics, braces, casts, and other treatments as needed.
What Does DPM Stand For?
You’ve probably come across the acronym “DPM” in your search. Thus, you may want to know, “what does DPM stand for?” DPM is short for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, a degree awarded by schools of podiatric medicine. A Doctor of Podiatry Medicine is an advanced specialist for ankle and foot-related conditions. DPMs are licensed by their respective state boards of podiatry and are certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Their qualifications go beyond that of a general practitioner and require a high level of knowledge and expertise.
Do I Need a Podiatry Referral?
When do you need a podiatry referral? Well, the most common signs and symptoms of conditions that may require a referral include pain, swelling, numbness, burning, tingling, and difficulty walking. If any of these symptoms are present, a podiatry referral should be obtained. Certain conditions or activities may also call for a podiatry referral, even if no symptoms are present. For example, those over the age of 50 should consider seeing a podiatrist every year. This will allow the podiatrist to check for signs of conditions like arthritis or diabetes that can affect the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
Athletes and those engaging in activities such as running or dancing can also benefit from seeing a podiatrist to ensure good foot health. Additionally, those with a family history of foot conditions or who have a foot or ankle injury should not wait to get a podiatry referral. Even if a problem is not immediately visible, a podiatrist can assess the situation. Then, they’ll determine if further medical steps are necessary.
Get Referred to FASI
If you need a podiatry referral, make sure you get referred to Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois. FASI is an exceptional team of medical professionals. They are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for individuals in the Chicagoland area. With a strong network of affiliated hospitals and medical professionals, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois provides comprehensive, efficient, and convenient care for many issues. Issues can include bunions, plantar fasciitis, and those involving complicated reconstructive or fracture surgeries. The talented and knowledgeable staff is committed to utilizing the latest technologies and treatments available to achieve superior outcomes.
From diagnosis and treatment to education and prevention, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois empowers patients to take control of their foot and ankle health. Services also extend to athletes, including sports medicine techniques, pediatric foot and ankle care, and biomechanics services. Additionally, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois utilizes sophisticated electronic medical health records, offering patients secure and easy access to their records no matter where they are.
In addition, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois makes sure their services are affordable and stress-free for patients. They do so by offering a range of payment methods, complimentary parking, and comprehensive explanations of fees and billing policies. The professionals at Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois strive to make pain stoppage, injury prevention, and quality of life improvement top priorities. They have the experience, expertise, and drive to help clients achieve the best outcome possible.
