Question 1

Is a medical referral required?

Accepted Answer

No. As for a dentist, a podiatrist works in a private practice. No medical referral is required, even for an orthotics prescription.

Question 2

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthesist?

Accepted Answer

A podiatrist has a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (D. P. M.), can diagnose, performs a precise biomechanical exam, prescribes and modifies an orthotic. His expertise is shown in his analysis and level of correction of the problem. He treats all problems related to the foot and can offer different kinds of treatments: stretching, tapping, anti-inflammatory, shoes gear modification, orthotics and cortisone injections.An orthesist-prothesis is a technician treating all the human body. His formation covers different orthoses/prostheses for all body parts: wrist, shoulder, knee and foot. He is allowed to construct foot orthoses following the medical directive and diagnostic of a general practitioner or podiatrist. He is not allowed to pose a diagnostic, perform a biomechanical exam or construct foot orthoses without a medical referral.

Question 3

Is a podiatrist a general practitioner/family physician?

Accepted Answer

No, a podiatrist is not a general practitioner. The Collège des médecins du Québec and Ordre des podiatres du Québec are two different professional orders :The podiatrist is a member of the Ordre des podiatres du Québec. He is the owner of Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.). It is just as starting his speciality in podiatry at the beginning of his doctorate, such as a dentist.A general practitioner is a member of the Collège des médecins du Québec. He is the owner of a doctorate in general medicine and must complete a speciality such as: family medicine, cardiology, dermatology or others.

Question 4

Can a podiatrist prescribe radiography or other analysis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the podiatrist can prescribe medical imaging such as X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ultrasound, blood tests, biopsy and fungal analysis.

Question 5

Are the podiatrists present in the hospital?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately in Quebec, podiatrists are not currently working in hospitals and are not covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). The Association des podiatres du Québec is working hard to promote the profession and show the expertise and usefulness in having a podiatrist working in hospital such as in the United States or in other Canadian provinces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a medical referral required?

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthesist?

Is a podiatrist a general practitioner/family physician?

Can a podiatrist prescribe radiography or other analysis?

Are the podiatrists present in the hospital?

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