Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and the medical and surgical treatment of feet, ankles and lower limb disorders.
Conditions treated by podiatrists range from minor ailments such as nail and skin complaints to more complicated problems like diabetic ulcers, arthritic conditions and bone deformities. If ignored, these symptoms can transform into life-altering complications.
Like most medical and health sciences, it starts with an undergraduate course. This focuses on the theoretic and practical aspects. We are not yet offering these courses in Pakistan.
However, we are offering a unique upskilling course for existing medical practitioners: Post Graduate certificate in Diabetic Foot.
A typical practitioner that we are targeting to upskill…. could be an existing medical practitioner in private practice or in a hospital anywhere in Pakistan. She/he could have a background in Accident and Emergency medicine (or other discipline), but has a keen interest in Diabetic Foot. She sees many patients coming through the hospital that initially have foot or leg ulcers, and end up getting foot and lower limb amputations. She knows that this is heartbreaking for them and their families. She also understands that with the right preventative measures, education and proactive work, that many of these amputations are avoidable.
She also appreciates that Diabetic foot as a discipline is not taught in any depth in medical school, and thus their training is very limited.
They have not been trained in spotting the early signs, and do not have the tools to properly diagnose and recommend prevention plans. So, in short, she realizes that most medical practitioners, hospitals and health care providers are not well informed in how they can deal with it.
She would like to learn more about Diabetic foot at a medical and professional level, but does not know where to start, and there does not appear to be any options to get this level of expertise at a practical level, without travelling overseas, typically to the US or UK.
Our target market is medical practitioners in Pakistan who have a genuine interest in investing in their skills and competence in the area of Foot medicine and Diabetic Foot in particular. They realise that there is a genuine need for skills in this area, an opportunity for professional skill development and career progression and differentiation. They also appreciate that with this skillset that they can add significant value to their hospital, practice and to the patients that they serve.
-> It provides world leading podiatric medicine training in Pakistan on a (relatively) flexible basis.
-> It provides this specifically in the ailment discipline of highest need (Diabetic Foot).
-> It provides a hybrid delivery enabling a more flexible attendance.
-> This hybrid delivery is a combination of live and online lectures, interactive sessions, supported with extensive hands-on clinical practice.
-> This clinical practice will be delivered throughout the course in Islamabad, and for participants further away on a concentrated 1–2-week basis.
-> Final examination and assessment will include written, oral and clinical assessment in order to be awarded this certificate.
-> Some of the lectures will be delivered by acknowledged thought leaders in this field.
-> There will be a follow-up continual education support mechanism made available to successful students.
-> This is the first qualification and cohort of its kind in Pakistan.
-> It is accepted a for credit purposes for the forthcoming Masters Degree in Podiatric Medicine.
1. High level content made available via the web www.ic-PM.org
2. Initial enquiry received via online form requesting for further details
a. Includes: name email, contact details.
b. Medical qualification and area of practice.
c. Geographic location
3. We can then send Standard Course details, with pricing and terms, and link to proceed to formal expression of interest.
4. We will then contact them to confirm attendance, terms and arrange payment.
5. Once payment is confirmed, we can then provide some reading material links, some more detail on the course and confirm their place on the course and starting details.
6. They will also get access to a specific email address to which to send any further enquires (Routed to Aisha and colleague).
In Pakistan, 1 in 4 people suffer from diabetes, many are undiagnosed. The disease affects the body’s ability to heal and leaves sufferers prone to infection. If infections go untreated, there’s a greater risk of amputation. Many amputees need another surgery within five years and the early death rates for these people are high. Podiatrists are an essential part of the defence against this outcome.
For students of picpm, a four-year degree in Podiatric Medicine, linked to a UK University and endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow is only the beginning.
The scope and breadth of podiatric medicine and podiatric needs mean there are a huge number of careers available for graduates. From sports medicine to rheumatology, podiatric surgeon to paediatrics.
The options for job opportunities, further learning and development are vast - we just need to open the door.
