Chiropody Services
Below are Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropody:
What is a Chiropodist?
Chiropodists are primary health care providers who specialize in the assessment, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting the foot. They can provide care to many different patient populations and can be seen for:
- Conditions affecting the skin such as calluses, corns, warts/verrucae, Athlete’s foot/fungal infection
- Conditions affecting the toe nails such as in-grown toe nails, fungal infections, thick nails
- Nail and soft tissue surgeries under local anesthetic
- Diabetic foot care and education
- Management of chronic conditions (i.e., arthritis)
- Assessment of foot pain
- Biomechanical assessment & gait analysis
- Custom made foot orthoses
- Footwear advice
What type of education/training do Chiropodists have?
Chiropodists currently receive their training at the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences in Toronto, the only English speaking Chiropody program available in Canada. Admission into the program requires an undergraduate Bachelor degree from a recognized university. A graduate advanced diploma in health sciences (Chiropody/Podiatric Medicine) is earned after 3 years of theoretical and clinical education. Students begin assessing and treating patients in their first year. The entire third year of study is spent in clinical internships at various hospitals, private clinics, and community care centres.
What is the difference between a chiropodist, podiatrist and pedorthist?
Chiropodists and Podiatrists are both primary health care providers who specialize in the assessment, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting the foot. Chiropody and Podiatry are also both regulated health professions in Ontario, having governing bodies called colleges that set the standards for skills, knowledge and behaviour for their members.
What Chiropodists and Podiatrists do are very similar, however, Podiatrists practicing in the province of Ontario receive their education in the United States. There are some differences in education. For example, podiatrists are trained in surgery involving bone, whereas Chiropodists are not. Both Podiatrists and Chiropodists, however, are trained in soft tissue surgery. Currently, Podiatrists who choose to practice in Ontario do so under the "Chiropody" scope.
The term "Chiropody" follows a UK model of foot care. The use of the terms "Podiatry" and "Podiatric Medicine" have gained popularity in recent years with other Canadian provinces replacing "Chiropody" with "Podiatry". The foot care model in Ontario is continually evolving and will be under government review in the coming years.
A Pedorthist is an individual who is specifically trained in the manufacturing, fitting and modification of foot appliances and footwear. Pedorthics is not a regulated health profession in Ontario. Pedorthists currently receive their training through the University of Western Ontario, earning a diploma in Pedorthics following a year of concurrent theoretical education and clinical internship. Pedorthists are unable to provide prescriptions for foot orthotics and footwear, but are able to manufacture and dispense these items.
Are Chiropody services covered under OHIP?
No, Chiropody services are not covered under OHIP. They may, however, be covered under your private health insurance policy. Contact your health insurance provider to determine your coverage. You would pay a fee per visit which could be reimbursed by your private insurance. Please contact us for more information.
Do I need a referral to see a Chiropodist?
Chiropodists are primary health care providers. Although Chiropodists often receive referrals from other health care professionals, a referral is not necessary to be seen.
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