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Podiatrist and Foot Surgeon

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podiatristExplore Being a Podiatrist and Foot Surgeon with Dr. Barbara Rien

Briefly describe your job.

As a Podiatric Physician I treat patients of all ages for foot and ankle disorders. I first make a proper diagnosis of the patient's condition based on the facts they provide, the symptoms they describe, and by various tests I perform. Then I solve the problem and treat the patient. I may use injections, tapings and strappings on the foot and ankle, and I may need to perform some office surgeries for skin and nail conditions, as well as biopsies. If the surgery involves bone or deeper tumors, then I perform that at the hospital and/or outpatient surgical facility. The job is very diverse as there is such a large variety of foot and ankle conditions I may treat in any given day.

cz: How long have you been working in this field?

I have been working in my field since 1982. I completed a surgical residency in Foot Surgery in Jacksonville, Florida in 1982 and then began working in the field. I began my own private practice in Boca Raton, Florida in March of 1983.

cz: When and how did you decide to choose this career?

In went to college in New York and majored in biology and psychology, then I took the medical boards. I thought of a career in medicine and also in psychology, but chose medicine.

While in my senior year in college I was recruited to the specialty of Podiatric Medicine. At that time, in 1976, there were very FEW women in that field, and as I was interested in sports and did some running, I considered Podiatry as a profession. I went to the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia for four years after graduating college. I received my Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine in 1980.

cz: How did you begin OR what was your first job in the field?

I completed a residency program at Jacksonville General Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida in foot surgery - which was a program designed to teach me foot surgery in a hospital. I completed this program after finishing four years in Podiatric Medical school.

I moved to South Florida and found a job in a multi - specialty medical clinic in Hollywood, Florida. They were looking for a foot doctor to treat the clinic patients. The patients in the clinic were mostly Spanish speaking and I saw many types of patients. It was a great experience and gave me tremendous confidence. I did this for one year. I then worked for a Podiatrist in a solo practice as an associate for a year. This experience lead me to open my own private practice for Podiatry in Boca Raton a few years later where I have remained ever since.

cz: Describe a typical day on the job?

I am very fortunate because everyday my job is different and unpredictable. Work is never boring, always challenging. I never know during a "normal" schedule who will call needing an emergency appointment.

I arrive at my office in the morning, except on Mondays where I have late hours so I do not begin work until 3:30pm! Once I arrive, I begin seeing scheduled patients. People are coming to see me with all sorts of foot problems. I can treat ingrown nail infections, fungus and bacterial infections of the toes, feet and legs, fractures, sprains, strains, and all kinds of painful disorders in the joints, tendons, ligaments as well as skin disorders of the lower extremity. I treat patients with Diabetes that have foot concerns as this disease has profound effects on the feet. I treat young adults, elderly, teenagers, and kids as well. I get phone calls during the days for emergencies. Someone can step on a sharp piece of glass that is lodged in the foot and they need to come in right away! Some days, I do surgery in the hospital as well. My job can be tiring at times, but certainly NOT boring!!!!!!!!!

cz: What do you like most about what you do?

What I like the most about being a Podiatric physician is that I can offer immediate help to people by relieving their pain. There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction and gratification in this ability to provide, at times, immediate pain relief.

cz: What do you like least about your job?

What I like least about my job is the large amount of paperwork involved these days in the practice of medicine. Some of this will be streamlined more as electronic medical records are used more widely by private doctors as it becomes affordable.

cz: What are the most important personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field?

The professional skills involved in my profession are a great aptitude in science and being able to recall and retain valuable information, as well as manual dexterity and coordination. The personal skills you must have are an innate compassion and empathy for people - a genuine ability to care about people. Also, having an excellent memory is important as people share so much personal and medical information with me about themselves and their family members. If you are able to remember this when you see them in the office, you can become much more successful by showing your patients how much you care about them as people.

cz: What would a person interested in entering this field have to do to get a good job in it?

In order to get a good job in this field you can apply to work in an existing practice for a while to get experience and either stay with that group, or join another group and possibly become a partner. There are teaching positions in the field if you don't want private practice, or you can open up your own practice. It is important to do well in medical school and get a good residency program.

cz: What could someone who is interested in this field do to learn more about it right now?

If students are interested in a career in Podiatry and want to go to Podiatric Medical School after getting a college degree, I suggest that they observe a few Podiatrists on the job. Pick two entirely different types of Podiatry practices and shadow the doctor to see what it is like. Find a doctor who will spend time with you and discuss the field with you. It is a financially rewarding profession as well!

cz: Is there any general advice you would like to offer to students on making a career choice or on work life itself?

Whatever career path you choose, by working hard and doing the right thing for your patients and making the right, ethical choices - you will be successful in whatever you do.

Dr. Barbara Rien
Podiatrist and Foot Surgeon
Children and Adult Foot Care
9980 Central Park Blvd. N. #120
Boca Raton, FL. 33428
561-487-4200

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