Podiatry Conference and UK trip 2009

Hey team. Been a bit hard to update the blog as I had planned. I've had limited access to wireless networks and some technical issues with my new camera.

A midway update;

Conference was great, heard our very own Pro Keith Rome speak and he did a great job of presenting his research into Orthotics for heel pain as well as giving all the attendee's a taste of in New Zealand lifestyle during his introductions.

This worked very well for us and we had extra interest in our trade display after he had spoken.

For us the conference started slow, but as people read the material in their packs from Foot Mechanics their interest was raised. We finished the conference strong with meeting running 5 hours after the rest of the trade displays had packed up and gone!  Go kiwi's!

We have visited a number of private practice and NHS trusts, seeing a wide variety of setups.

We made some friends too along the way and enjoyed many a pub meal with them.

This weekend there is no work. Carlo and I head to Marceille to watch the All Blacks. Today is the open top bus tour of london.

Monday we are straight back into work, meeting with 2 leading podiatry clinics in London. One is a sports medicine clinic the other a high end gait analysis specialist using 3D motion analysis in consultation!

Update you again soon, sorry now pictures, I've had to do this much from my blackberry as it is.

Talk soon....

Stranded

Well the flight over to the UK hasn't been a smooth one. Its been 29 hours since I left home and I am currently stranded in Amsterdam due to high winds preventing plane landing in London.

Just as well I have a few spare days before the conference starts. Hopefully Innes and Debs don't have the same problems.

Talk soon...

Podiatry Franchise in New Zealand

Foot Mechanics is New Zealand’s largest provider of Podiatry services and currently operates 13 central North Island clinics. We have positioned ourselves as a leader in the podiatry field by investing in technology and our people. Foot Mechanics is now a franchise business giving Podiatrists an opportunity to own their own Foot Mechanics clinic. Our franchise delivers health outcomes for patients and provides financial, professional and personal rewards to business owners. LIVE, WORK AND OWN YOUR OWN PODIATRY BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Like most health professionals in private practice in New Zealand we are "forced" to by small business owners too. We train as podiatrists and then inherit a the role of small business owner, a role that is often, far too often, done poorly. This results in low professional satisfaction, burnout and limits the professionals ability to unit and grow.

The Foot Mechanics franchise provides a way in which a large commercial entity can form and create opportunity for podiatrists. Improved profitability, professional satisfaction and increased public profile are all factors proving the franchise model successful.

More information about the Foot Mechanics Podiatry franchise in New Zealand are available on our website by following this link.

Foot Health Week in New Zealand

Next week will be foot health week in New Zealand. This provides the opportunity to promote our profession to the public and the wider primary health community.

Public Relations on this scale can be very effective but needs to be planned and resourced well.

We total about 250 registered podiatrists in New Zealand, we are small!  I don't think this needs to be a weakness though as many significant large scale things have resulted from a small group of people. In fact most things of significance start from a small group of people.

If your small you must be focused, organised, passionate and capable. In my experience in New Zealand we are the last two, but not the first two. It will be interesting to see what happens during foot health week from our profession.

Shoe Style Linked to Foot Pain

Do Podiatrists have enough training, both undergraduate and ongoing in our careers on footwear? If this study is to be believed (and it seems right in my experience) then footwear assessment and reccomendation could be one of the most valuable tools in the Podiarists skill set.

Foot Mechanics Podiatry at the 50+ Lifestyle Expo

We are half way through the 50+ lifestyle expo. I met a gentleman today who is 76 years of age and a marathon runner! Not was a marathon running, is a marathon runner. He has just returned from running the London Marathon in 5hrs and 33 mins, which he was disappointed with and will be completing the Hamilton and Adidas Auckland Marathon's before the end of the year. I didn't really feel I could offer this man advice on foot health! Instead I asked him to tell me how he has stayed so fit and injury free. Incredible!

What I enjoy about talking to this age group (50+) about foot health is that they realise that foot health equates to mobility. Maintaining mobility is paramount to maintaining Independence, which is something they are very interested in. We offered free foot checks and I would have screened about 100 people today. The most common foot problems;

1. bunions
2. heel pain
3. corns
4. ingrown or thickened toenails

Low level podiatry at risk!

Yesterday I found a "nail cutting franchise" which is now available in New Zealand. Your $14,000 buys you a 4 day training course in "nail care". Not a word mentioned about "sterilisation"!

My problem with this isn't so much that these types of businesses exist and are become more organised but rather that we as a profession have exposed ourselves to these businesses by offering low level services like "nail cutting" for too long.

When will we focus on biomechanics, orthotic prescription and surgery?