Podiatric surgery: a canary in the coalmine for professional monopolies
Susan Nancarrow A * and Alan Borthwick OBE BA
B
Abstract
What is known about the topic? The health workforce and health tasks are highly contested and largely controlled by regulation. Since the introduction of medical regulation in the mid-19th century, the practice of surgery has been largely dominated by medically trained surgeons. A small group of Australian podiatrists have defied these historic boundaries by creating their own colleges of training and convincing government and regulators of their safety and efficacy in surgical practice. The Podiatry Board of Australia commissioned an independent review of the regulation and regulatory practices of podiatric surgeons in Australia. What does this paper add? This paper discusses the implications of a regulatory review of the role of podiatric surgeons for professional role boundaries. What are the implications for practitioners? Despite historic role boundaries and definitions, with appropriate training, regulation, and financing, the health workforce can be mobilised in different ways to meet population needs, overcoming a professional monopoly over roles.
References
1 Borthwick AM. Challenging Medicine: The Case of Podiatric Surgery. Work Employ Soc 2000; 14(2): 369-83.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
2 Patterson R. Independent review of the regulation of podiatric surgeons in Australia. Melbourne; 2024. Available at https://www.podiatryboard.gov.au/News/Independent-review-for-podiatric-surgeons.aspx
3 Ribonson P, Gilheany MF. Is there a role for podiatric surgeons in public hospitals? An audit of surgery to the great toe joint in Victoria, 1999–2003. Aust Health Rev 2009; 33(4): 690-5.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
4 Nancarrow SA. Six principles to enhance health workforce flexibility. Hum Resour Health 2015; 13(1): 9.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |