PATIENTS TREATED BY PODIATRiSTS
Hugo K. Koch, M.H.A., and Hazel M. Phillips, Division
INTRODUCTION It is based on the findings
of a nationwide survey of podiatrists conducted
by the National Center for Health Statistics
during. The survey
information was collected through a
self-administered questionnaire mailed to all
licensed podiatrists in the United States.
This report on patient characteristics is the
third report to issue from the survey findings.
The first report offered a general demographic
and professional profile ofthe 8,017 podiatrists
in the United States who were active and
inactive in their profession in 197O.r The second
report focused on specific aspects of podiatric
practice reported by the estimated 7,078
podiatrists who were actively engaged in patient
care at the time of the survey.* Highlighting
significant findings from these reports:
‘National Center for Health Statistics: Podiatry manpower:
A general profile, Vital and Health Statistics, Series 14, No. 10,
DHEW Pub. No. (HR4) 74-1805, Health Resources Administration,
Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office.
*National Center for Health Statistics: Podiatry manpower:
Characteristics of clinical practice, United States, Vital
and Health Statistics, Series 14, No. 11, DHEW Pub. go. (HRA)
74-1806, Health Rqsources Administration, Washington, U.S.
Government Printing Office,
of Health Manpower and Facilities Statistics
1. Of the 8,017 podiatrists estimated to be
active and inactive in their profession at
the time of the 1970 survey, 7,113
(about 89 percent) were ,active; and 904
(about 11 percent) were inactive-3 70 by
reason of retirement and 533 for other
reasons.
2. The national ratio of active podiatrists to’
population was about 3.5 podiatrists per
100,000 population.
3. Podiatrists were unevenly distributed
throughout the Nation. They tended to
concentrate in areas of the greatest
population density. Five States (New
York, California, Pennsylvania, IIhnois,
and Ohio) accounted for more than half
(3,836) of the total number of active
podiatrists. Of the four’ census regions
(Northeast, South, West, and North
Central), the Northeast had the highest
concentration of active podiatrists (6.1
podiatrists per 100,000 population); the
South had the lowest (1.6 per 100,000).
4. About 96 percent of alI active podiatrists
were male. The median age of all active
podiatrists was about 51 years; and the
median number of years active in
podiatry was about 21.
5. About 69 percent held active licenses in
only’ one State.
6. More than 99 percent of all active
podiatrists (7,078) engaged to some
extent in the direct care of podiatric
patients. About 3.5 percent devoted
some time to teaching in colleges of
podiatry; about 7 percent engaged to
some degree in podiatric research; and
about 11 percent were at least partially
active in administrative duties other than
those connected with the care of patients