'Procedural podiatrist’ is the favoured alternative. The association says that the name change should be made now to ride the wave of the cosmetic surgery reforms.
The AMA is calling for podiatrists with surgical endorsement to be titled “procedural podiatrists” to avoid confusion and protect the surgeon title.
“Oral surgeons” may also be getting the axe.
Earlier this year, an independent review found that the use of the title “podiatric surgeon” by those without a medical degree or training from a surgical college was misleading to consumers.
Among the report’s 14 recommendations – all of which were accepted by AHPRA and the Podiatry Board in full – was a name change, with suggestions including “surgical podiatrist”, “operating podiatrist” and “podiatrist practising podiatric surgery”.
The AMA, in its submission on the proposed change to the title, reiterated their longstanding opposition to the title of podiatric surgeon, proposing “procedural podiatrist” as their favoured replacement.
“Patients should not be misled by the term ‘podiatric surgeon’ or ‘surgical podiatrist’ into believing they are dealing with a practitioner who has formal surgical qualifications when they do not,” said the association.
“These practitioners are not registered with the Medical Board of Australia, nor have they received specialised medical, or AMC accredited surgical training.”
The college said that “surgical podiatrist” was interchangable with podiatric surgeon and would not be clarifying for consumers.
“The words ‘surgeon’ and ‘surgical’ are synonymous with each other,” said the AMA.
“It is reasonable to expect the average consumer will interpret the term ‘surgical’ to mean the practitioner is a surgeon and therefore a medical practitioner.
“To make a clear differentiation, the Podiatry Board must consider a title that does not include the words ‘surgeon’, ‘surgical’ or ‘surgery’.
“The term ‘surgical’ does not provide sufficient clarity.”
The AMA added that any title change should be accompanied by consumer education, spearheaded by the Podiatry Board.
“We understand there are only 40 registered podiatrists using this title. As such, the impact is relatively minor,” said the AMA.
“It is also sensible to make these changes now as the cosmetic surgery reforms are progressing, allowing the Podiatry Board to capitalise on consumer education efforts around surgical training in Australia.”
Conversation around the misuse of the surgeon title has expanded to other professions.
In last week’s presidential report, AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said the association’s position on the use of the surgeon title applied to dentistry too.
“It was great to catch up with oral and maxillofacial surgical colleagues this week about the review into the title of ‘oral surgeon’,” she said.
“Just as we did in relation to podiatric surgeons, we’re advocating for the protection of the title ‘surgeon’ for use by medical practitioners with appropriate, accredited surgical training.”
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Private health insurance representative body Private Healthcare Australia added its support for the removal of the podiatric surgeon title, touting a “strong vested interest in ensuring that quality standards”.
The group supported the “podiatric proceduralists” title.
“The community’s confusion around qualifications means that health funds are often criticised for not covering the costs of procedures provided by people calling themselves surgeons without a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or equivalent,” said the PHA.
“For funds that currently do not cover surgery by podiatrists, it can be difficult to explain to consumers the difference between an accredited medical surgeon and a practitioner using the protected title.”
Upon completion of the consultation, which closed to submissions last week, federal Health Minister Mark Butler will be asked to sign off on a name change for podiatric surgeons.
