APMA News - July/August 2012 - (Page 22)

APMA by the Decade: 1972–1981 Throughout 2012, APMA’s publications will celebrate the rich heritage of the podiatric medical profession and its professional organization. Each month in APMA News, we will focus on one decade of APMA’s history. I n the 1970s, podiatric medical students began to take control of their education. When The Selden Report was released in the 1960s, it spurred tremendous changes to podiatric medical training, with the American Podiatry Association (APA) and the podiatric colleges at the forefront. As the curriculum and educational requirements began to expand, so did the cost of podiatric education—and the debt accumulated by graduates. Students were frustrated by a general feeling that APA was not considering their needs. In response to these concerns, a student position was added to the Council of Podiatry Education in 1972. Additionally, the House of Delegates added a 10-person student delegation with one vote to its numbers. Students also were alarmed by a residency shortage in the profession. In 1975, podiatric students released “Crisis ’76,” a document requesting immediate revision to the approach being taken by APA’s Residency Genesis Committee. The document set the goal of a residency position for each graduate by 1978. Unfortunately, with no efficient system in place to approve new programs, this goal fell well short of expectations. As the decade came to a close, residencies were only available for roughly half of all graduates. Established podiatrists had growing concerns, as well. They continued to struggle for parity with their allopathic colleagues, but there was one arena in which podiatrists were increasingly being treated as equals with other physicians: malpractice suits. The sudden rise in litigation against medical professionals was alarming and troubling for APA as insurance providers pulled coverage due to skyrocketing costs. In response, in 1980, APA and its members financed the formation of the Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA). Within three years, PICA paid off its outstanding debts and established itself as a viable organization with more than 1,000 participants. During this time period, two other issues began to take a place of prominence within the profession: hospital privileges and relicensure. Although surgery was not common in the profession, some podiatric physicians had been performing surgery since the 1930s. However, less than a third of those were able to obtain equal rights at hospitals. In 1959, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons passed a resolution that denied podiatrists the privilege to work in In 1973, Dr. Louis D. Centrella, center, Dr. Stephen Weiner, far left, and Dr. Stephen Retman, in back, administer treatment to a patient during a March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon. operating rooms. In 1978, following the earlier extension of full-time hospital status to podiatrists by the Veterans Administration, only 8 percent of applicants were categorically denied privileges. In response to a growing national trend, in 1976, APA developed criteria and procedures for approval of continuing education programs. By 1979, more than half of all states required some form of continuing education for relicensure. The requirements varied from eight to 50 hours per year. APA contributed to the growing interest in continuing education with an audiovisual collection, closed-circuit TV programs to keep podiatric physicians up to date on new techniques, and a large increase in the number of scientific seminars held each year. Watch for APMA by the Decade: 1982–91 in the September issue of APMA News as the modern APMA starts to take shape. n Acknowledgment: Lisabeth Holloway. A Fast Pace Forward: Celebrating 75 Years American Podiatric Medical Association. Philadelphia: Center for the History of Foot Care and Footwear, 1987. 22 APMA News July/August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - July/August 2012

APMA News - July/August 2012
President’s Message
Contents
Innovative, Intuitive, Inventive
Health Policy & Practice Committees Meet to Address Issues Facing Podiatrists
MPMA Instrumental in Uncovering Health-care Fraud
Does the Media Still Matter?
Introducing APMA’s ACO Workgroup
APMA By the Decade
The US House of Representatives Recognizes APMA’s 100th Anniversary
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey
Profiles in Progress
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
List of Cosponsors to the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Technofile
Get 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting Coverage
Annual Scientific Meeting Preliminary Program
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
APMA All Stars
In Short
CPME Invitation for Comments
Worthy of Note
Call for Committee Nominations
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
Bylaws Propositions Due
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA
100th Anniversary Commemorative Section

APMA News - July/August 2012