DPM meaning in Medical ?

A podiatrist ( poh-dye-eh-trist) or podiatric physician is a medical professional devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. The term originated in North America but has now become the accepted term in the English-speaking world for all practitioners of podiatric medicine. The word chiropodist was previously used in the United States, but it is now regarded as antiquated.

In the United States, podiatrists are educated and licensed as Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). The preparatory education of most podiatric physicians(similar to the paths of traditional MD, and Osteopathic Medicine (DO)) includes four years of undergraduate work, followed by four years in an accredited podiatric medical school, followed by a three- or four-year hospital-based surgical residency. Optional one- to two-year fellowship in foot & ankle reconstruction, surgical limb salvage, sports medicine, plastic surgery, pediatric foot & ankle surgery, and wound care is also available. Podiatrists are licensed in all fifty states, although each state has its own licensing requirements. The scope of practice may vary from state to state and residency training.

In many countries, the term podiatrist refers to allied health professionals who specialize in the treatment of the lower extremity, particularly the foot. Podiatrists in these countries are specialists in the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of foot pathology. In some circumstances, these practitioners will further specialise and, following further training, perform reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. In contrast, most American podiatrists complete residencies in surgical treatments of the foot and ankle.

The median annual podiatry salary in the United States was approximately $135,000 as of August 2018, with a wide range depending on years in practice. New podiatrists usually earn significantly less. First-year salaries ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 with performance and productivity incentives are common. Private practice revenues for solo podiatrists vary widely, with the majority of solo practices grossing between $200,000 and $600,000 before overhead.