Getting What You Deserve After Residency Graduation

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
7/18/12 | 2657 reads | 0 comments
This July, podiatric residency graduates are transitioning from comfort and protection into the world of student loans, angry patients, indifferent staff, long hours, mountains of paperwork, unjust malpractice laws, malicious malpractice attorneys and insatiable insurance companies. I wish to offer them a collective piece of advice: Do not listen to the naysayers. Read More.

Supporting Our DPM Congressional Candidates: Just Do It

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
6/15/12 | 2641 reads | 5 comments
During this election year, podiatrists across the United States have an unprecedented opportunity to have representation in Congress. We must act now and change our paradigm from expecting others to do the heavy lifting for us. You must contribute to the campaigns of Lee Rogers, DPM, and Brad Wenstrup, DPM, today, not tomorrow. Read More.

Should Podiatric Physicians Monitor HBOT?

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
5/16/12 | 3100 reads | 0 comments
“First do no harm.” Many often refer incorrectly to this phrase as part of the Hippocratic Oath. (In fact, the quote is “to do good or to do no harm.”) This phrase actually comes from the Hippocratic writing Epidemics. The meaning of this statement is of the utmost importance no matter the origin. I am proud to be part of the progress of the podiatric profession in its quest of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Vision 2015. In my opinion, however, some of these professional advancements violate the aforementioned quote. Read More.

My Top 10 Essential Podiatric Textbooks

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
4/20/12 | 4057 reads | 1 comments
I love books — both hard copy and digital. I can get lost in a bookstore for hours. My love of books prompted me to put together a list of my top 10 podiatric textbooks. In no particular order, I consider these essential to any podiatric library. I have no vested interest in any of these textbooks. This list is based solely on my personal opinion. I love the discussion and debate that book lists create so bring it on. Foot and Lower Extremity Biomechanics: A ten-year collection of Precision Intricast, Inc. newsletters, Volume 1 (Precision Intricast, 1997) by Kevin Kirby, DPM, MS Read More.

Fighting For Subtalar Arthroereisis Insurance Coverage

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
3/15/12 | 3577 reads | 4 comments
Insurance companies are up there on my list of least favorites along with malpractice attorneys, plaintiff professional expert witnesses and foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons who initiate lawsuits against podiatrists. I have written about the latter groups already (see http://tinyurl.com/7mocb9t ). The insurance companies are next and I have a specific bone to pick with several of them including the gargantuan Anthem/Blue Cross. Read More.

How State Associations Can Eliminate 'Plaintiff Shills' In Malpractice Cases

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
2/20/12 | 2976 reads | 2 comments
One of the most overlooked components of malpractice is the role of the expert witness. I have written about this in a previous blog, “Should Courtrooms Bar ‘Hired Guns’ As Expert Witnesses in Malpractice Cases?” (see http://tinyurl.com/7st2zlj). Read More.

How To Find Balance In Your Practice And Life

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
1/24/12 | 3206 reads | 1 comments
Do you have balance in your professional career and personal life? I am not sure I do. From my discussion with other colleagues, I believe most of you do not either. One of the reasons I became a podiatrist was to have a “normal” lifestyle but that has never seemed to materialize. I have always had a good work ethic but why does a good work ethic still seem to create an unbalanced life? As we start a new year and I enter my 21st year of practice, I am going to strive to find better balance in my life. I hope this provokes you to consider the balance in your life. Read More.

My Top Ten Podiatric Pet Peeves

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
12/21/11 | 3524 reads | 5 comments
10. Podiatrists instructing patients to cut their toenails straight across. Where did this originate? Where is the evidence-based medicine for this approach? If everyone’s nails are shaped differently, why would everyone cut them the same? I have always told patients to follow the shape of the nail when trimming. Read More.

Resistant Plantar Fasciitis: Why We Should Opt For A Gastrocnemius Recession Before Even Considering A Plantar Fasciotomy

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
11/22/11 | 3486 reads | 2 comments
It is a rare occasion in one’s professional career to experience a paradigm shift in philosophy, even if it is on just one topic. Plantar fasciitis is the most common condition I see on a daily basis. Up to 85 percent of the time, I am able to treat it conservatively. For the past 20 years, when it came to patients who did not respond to conservative treatment or did not have associated nerve entrapment, I have done a plantar fasciotomy. Read More.