Cath Lab Digest

   The APMA Web site notes a mission statement that it “advances and advocates for the profession of podiatric medicine and surgery for the benefit of its members and the public” and “influence(es) public and private policy affecting the future of podiatric medicine and surgery.”

   Dr. Richie, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, says the APMA should consider binding mediation to resolve continuing differences with the ACFAS. He cites the importance of any effort to get both parties back to the negotiating table.

   In four instances between July 2008 and July 2009, the ACFAS offered to discuss a new relationship with the APMA, according to Dr. Lee. “In each instance, the APMA did not respond or declined our invitation,” he says. “Instead, APMA decided to start an in-house surgical organization that may sap its own resources to, in effect, reinvent the wheel.”

Working In Tandem With Orthopedic And Surgical Organizations

Dr. Lee says the ACFAS will continue its interaction with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). He notes that two ACFAS members served on an AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines panel last summer and the college conducts most of its surgical skills courses at the Orthopedic Learning Center in Rosemont, Ill. Since the college’s office is less than a mile from the AAOS, he says their staffs have frequent interaction.

   Alan Catanzariti, DPM, believes there will be “not much of an issue” with the ACFAS dealing with orthopedic organizations without APMA backing.

   “I think the ACFAS is equipped to deal with this better than anybody,” says Dr. Catanzariti, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. “I think ACFAS will continue to be quite effective.”

   In addition, Dr. Lee emphasizes that the members of ACFAS interact with MDs and DOs in hospitals, surgical centers and, in his practice, are partners with AAOS and/or AOFAS members.

   “These relationships should never be discounted and this is the future for podiatric surgeons,” says Dr. Lee, who is a partner and in private practice at Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, P.C. in Des Moines, Iowa.

   “Let us remember that AAOS does not require members of AOFAS to also be AAOS members yet they work together harmoniously so our similar membership policies have not surprised or concerned them,” points out Dr. Lee.

Addressing Scope Of Practice Issues

In regard to efforts by some organizations to curtail state podiatric scopes of practice, Dr. Lee says these “battles must be fought every day in the hospitals where board-certified surgeons are proving their competency to hospital medical staffs.” Dr. Lee notes the ACFAS frequently receives calls from board-certified surgeons who are facing privileging problems in hospitals. He says the college’s health policy staff works one on one with each member to overcome the roadblocks and the ACFAS Web site has more than 20 documents dedicated to this issue.

   Dr. Lee also notes that the ACFAS was the first organization to propose a model state scope of practice act, which is also available on the site.

   Dr. Lee maintains that scope of practice battles are also fought in the “halls of state legislatures, where ACFAS spokespeople work side by side with APMA leaders and, to the best of my knowledge, have not lost a battle in many years.”

   When it comes to scope of practice legislation, Dr. Lee says the college primarily works with state podiatric medical associations. He notes this is helpful because state leaders know the local players and politics best. As Dr. Lee notes, multiple voices are more effective in politics than lone voices so state leaders call upon the ACFAS, APMA and other groups to help. He says the college provides board-certified spokespeople to address surgical issues, noting that these issues are always the crux of battles over scope of practice.