Podiatrists are specialists who treat the foot, ankle, and related parts of one’s leg. Depending on their study and certification, they can be a physician or a surgeon. If a person faces any health issues affecting the mentioned body parts, consulting a podiatrist is crucial for the best results. 

Ask for referrals
One’s family members or friends may know a good podiatrist nearby, so speaking to them is a great starting point. Referrals are important in the selection and research phase as this helps people narrow down their options and get close to the right specialist quickly. Going to a specialist through someone who has already been to them also ensures the doctor is trusted and that they can treat one’s foot-related injuries and other issues.

Check credentials
This is an important step one cannot skip. Individuals need to go to a specialist who is trained to help them with their specific type of condition. The doctor should have some sort of certification to show their skills. Here are some things to know about a podiatrist’s education, training, and licensing:

• A basic or general education for a podiatric physician comprises four years of undergraduate, premedical training at their university or college. Once that is completed, they move on to four years of podiatric medical school.

Finding someone who is board-certified is also important when checking for credentials. However, one must know that board certification takes years and requires the doctor to treat many cases first. So, the expert should at least have a work license and other certifications, if not a board certification.

Evaluate work history
This is an important step in finding the best podiatrist nearby. Any doctor who is board certified makes all of their work history available online. One should check an expert’s past work thoroughly and see whether there were any cases of malpractice or other discrepancies. Doing so helps understand their work ethics and builds confidence in their work and skills. It is never wrong for a person to be too careful about someone who is responsible for keeping them fit and healthy.

Ask questions
When a person finds a suitable foot specialist nearby, they should book a first consultation to try and understand them a little better. One should go with a bunch of questions so that they know the patient has done their research. Individuals should not be shy to clarify their doubts. Some of the questions one can ask include:

• Does the office have an X-ray machine and a lab on site for any follow-ups on the case?
• How much experience does the doctor have with a case similar to the current one?
• What is the kind of treatment and course of action ahead?
• Does it involve getting admitted to the hospital?
• What preparations need to be made personally?
• Is there any side effect to the suggested treatment?
• What is the success rate of this kind of treatment?
• What are the office hours?
• Is the doctor available during an emergency?
• Can the treatment be covered under insurance?

Check associations
Apart from their educational qualifications and work history, one should check whether the podiatrist is associated with renowned hospitals and organizations in the health industry. Associations add value to their legitimacy and let the patient trust them. One can also check if the expert has published papers in their field of work. Publications are a sign the doctor is constantly learning something new and is open to emerging treatment methods.

Evaluate staff behaviour and accessibility
Another thing to notice during the initial consultation is how the staff treats the patients. If the doctor is great but the staff is not very flexible or welcoming, then the whole experience goes for a toss. This also leads to a loss of trust. Patients should also check how easy it is to get an appointment and whether the doctor is available outside regular working hours during emergencies.