Dean's Chat host, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, is joined by Dr. Austin Matthews, a successful podiatric physician from Torrington, Wyoming. Dr. Matthews is the "staff podiatrist" for Banner Torrington Community Hospital. One of the goals of interviewing doctors on Dean's chat is to highlight different work opportunities within the podiatric profession.
In this episode, Dr. Matthews highlights practicing in a rural environment, as Torrington is northeast of Cheyanne, Wyoming. Dr. Matthews graduated from BYU in 2008, then graduated from the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine in 2012. He did his Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency training at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, under Dr. Brian Lodor.
His passion for rural medicine is obvious, as his desire is to give back to the local community and the podiatric community. He is involved with the ACFAS and has participated in the Big West Region as Treasurer and is currently the Vice President. Dr. Matthews was also selected to participate in the Chris Mahaffey Leadership Development Program from May 2023 – present.
Rural practice in podiatry offers a fulfilling and rewarding career path. Dr. Matthews shared his experience and shed light on the unique opportunities and challenges that come with practicing podiatry in a rural setting.
One advantage of rural practice is the ability to see a wide variety of cases. Unlike subspecialists in larger cities, rural podiatrists often have the opportunity to treat a diverse range of foot and ankle conditions. This allows them to develop a broad skill set and become well-rounded practitioners. Dr. Matthews mentioned that he enjoys the ability to see anything that comes through the door, as it keeps his practice interesting and allows him to continuously learn and grow as a podiatrist.
However, practicing in a rural community also comes with its challenges. One of the main challenges is limited access to specialists. Dr. Matthews mentioned that in his area, there is a lack of foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons and vascular surgeons. This means that he often has to manage complex cases on his own or refer patients to specialists who may be located far away. The distance and logistics involved in accessing specialized care can be a challenge for both the podiatrist and the patients.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Matthews believes that there is a significant opportunity for podiatry to grow in rural communities. Many rural areas lack specialized foot and ankle care, and podiatrists can fill this gap and provide much-needed services. Dr. Matthews emphasized that there is a demand for podiatrists in rural areas, and he believes that the profession can have a bigger foothold in these communities.
In terms of recruitment, Dr. Matthews and his colleagues are working on promoting the specialty of podiatry and informing the public about the role of podiatrists. They are also exploring ways to increase exposure to rural podiatry during podiatry school and residency programs. By highlighting the unique opportunities and benefits of rural practice, they hope to attract more students and practitioners to this field.
Overall, the field of podiatric medicine offers a range of career paths that allow practitioners to specialize in specific areas and provide specialized care to patients. Whether it's wound care, trauma, hospitalist-based podiatry, or other options, podiatrists have the opportunity to pursue their interests and make a significant impact in the field. Enjoy!
