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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Antechinus" data-source="post: 1983287" data-attributes="member: 493842">I'm a podiatrist/chiropodist in Australia. We have a different system here. There are private podiatrist's and there are those employed by government funded hospitals. Usually these are involved with the high risk foot clinics, though some do clinical  work with community clients.We have a system where people can be referred to me by a GP and get a medical refund by the government if you have a chronic illness. So I charge a fee, you get some money back. Sometimes there is a gap where the fee is greater than the refund. They can have up to 5 visits per year.Generally a diabetic has an annual foot assessment. From this they are classified as low, intermediate and high risk of foot ulceration. Low risk get advice and annual review. Intermediate get more comprehensive advice and 6 monthly review by podiatrist. High risk they visit every 8 -10 weeks for foot care.  High risk also get to go to high risk foot clinic if they get an ulcer.  Most people just want their nails cut and couldn't careless about a foot check.There is a difference between podiatry and chiropody.  Chiropody was the old english system and dealt with superficial lesions of the foot. Podiatry is the american system and looks at the entire foot and leg from a medical and mechanical point of view. A podiatrist can diagnose disease.  Here they changed the name but didnt tell everyone there was also a change in profession. So most people think podiatrists are rebadged chiropodists.Not all podiatrists are interested in diabetics. You should check before booking to make sure they specialise in diabetes. It makes a big difference to the examination. My annual foot check includes doppler study of both peripheral arteries and ankle brachial pressure test or toe pressure tests, depending on leg health.  Also do monofilament and 128Hz tuning fork neurological tests. A quick look for foot deformity and calluses. If time there may be a quick gait check to identify potential problems. Pressures and 2 types of neuro testing is the minimum for diabetic feet.Just looking at skin, feeling pulses and wiping cotton balls over the foot isnt good enough any more.</blockquote>

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