walk of life

Podiatry Conference and UK trip 2009

2009-11-27T22:04:00.001+13:00

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

2009-11-15T07:09:00.001+13:00

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

2009-10-14T22:38:00.003+13:00

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

2009-09-30T23:52:00.001+13:00

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

2009-09-30T17:18:00.002+13:00

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

2009-09-25T22:54:00.002+12:00

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;

bunions
heel pain
corns
ingrown or thickened toenails

Low level podiatry at risk!

2009-09-19T22:29:00.000+12:00

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?

Missing! 110 Podiatrists

2009-09-17T13:57:00.004+12:00

Last night I read a disturbing research paper on why podiatrist who have left the profession left. the most common reasons?

1. Professional Isolation
2. Not enjoying type of practice
3. Personal Isolation

Other reasons included poor financial return, taking too long to build up a practice and lack of business skills.

The company I work for and helped build recognised these problems about 10 years ago. While I would suggest in New Zealand that these reasons for leaving the profession are still paramount, Foot Mechanics at least has addressed these problems for new graduates in terms of working with other podiatrists. For experienced podiatrists who are financially under-preforming we now offer a franchise model with proven above industry average returns. The fact is if you aren't making the money you need to make to stay interested in your career - you will leave! Either by choice or necessity!

We only build "Multipod" clinics so that podiatrists are working with podiatrists. We offer a full range of podiatry services while allowing each podiatrist to shape their area of interest within the company.

It is painful to me that so many people leave our profession, its great a great profession and we can fix these problems and get Podiatry growing.

High Heels!

2009-09-15T10:20:00.003+12:00

High Heels are with us forever. Woman love them as as long as that's that case let just give good Podiatry advice on how to minimise the effects these shoes can have on feet. Check out this news release from today; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8255909.stm and my personal thoughts on wearing high heels http://www.footmechanics.co.nz/archive/133506.html

What will be the role of Podiatry in 2010 and beyond?

2009-09-14T22:19:00.005+12:00

The primary health care environment in New Zealand is set to change. "Minor changes" was the call from our Minister of Health, Tony Ryall, but to be honest what I've read so far looks more like "Health Reform"!

Podiatry in New Zealand lacks a united voice with sufficient resources to position the profession within the changes being proposed. Foot Mechanics has a role to play in forming a united group of Podiatrists into a commercial format that can have real influence in the primary health care environment in the future.

Change is good, are we ready as a profession?

What causes a bunion survey

2009-09-13T21:53:00.002+12:00

As a podiatrist one of the most common misunderstandings I come across is the what causes a bunion. What do you think? Take the survey on my blog and once we have some others thoughts I will give my professional opinion.

Joining the bloggers

2009-09-08T01:20:00.000+12:00

Foot Mechanics Podiatry is open for blogging. "Walk of Live" is our new blog and we are ready to talk with any-one who wants help with leading an active lifestyle is not able to due to foot pain.