Podiatry is a medical profession that focuses on preventing and treating conditions of the foot. For a podiatrist to receive certification in South Australia, he or she must have completed coursework at a recognized university, passed a two-stage examination and successfully taken the Australasian Podiatry Council assessment. Most podiatrists are located near urban areas. However, since a 2000 study performed by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health showed an insufficient number of podiatrists and other health care providers in less urban areas, there has been a push to extend the reach of podiatry throughout the region.
Local Podiatry Associations
The Australian Podiatry Association South Australia Inc., as of July 2009, listed 346 registered podiatrists, most of whom are members of the association and attend workshops and continuing education events. The association offers an accredited podiatrist directory, working with the Australasian Podiatry Council. Members can speak with members of the community about podiatric concerns and what doctors would be best to address them.
The Podiatry Board of South Australia is another resource for locating a podiatrist. Created under the Podiatry Practice Act 2005, the board is responsible for regulating podiatry throughout South Australia. The board ensures all podiatrists are properly licensed and keeps a current registry of podiatrists.
Partnering Podiatry Associations
The Australasian Podiatry Council is an association working to standardize and regulate the profession throughout Australia, but the association works with more localized podiatry organizations and is an expansive resource for locating podiatrists in South Australia. The council performs market research and prepares national policies. Not only is the council a source of information on the podiatry profession, but it also works with South Australian podiatry associations, helping them maintain directories and databases of podiatrists throughout the region.
Directories
VicDir, a directory of South Australian businesses, is an accessible resource for finding a podiatrist. The directory not only offers an easily understood list of podiatrists in South Australia, but it also can give you the address and phone number of many podiatry businesses, as well as a map with directions to each business.
Podiatry School
The University of South Australia features a podiatry school that is a resource for both learning about and locating a podiatrist. The bachelor program prepares students to become certified by the Podiatry Board of South Australia. Visiting the university would be a good way to learn more about what is required of local podiatrists. Because the program prepares and works with podiatrists throughout the region, it is a good starting point in your search for a podiatrist in South Australia.
Podiatry Library
A portion of the University of South Australia's library is dedicated to podiatry. You'll find extensive documents, books and research on a wide array of podiatry topics. Information on podiatry at the university includes databases of articles and publications, directories of local and national podiatry associations, glossaries of key terms and guides for where to start a search for a podiatrist in South Australia.
Member Comments