Labour force - podiatrists

Podiatry overview

Podiatrists, also known as chiropodists, are primary health care professionals who assess, diagnose and treat disorders of the lower leg and feet that have resulted from developmental abnormalities, disease or injury. They also educate and promote health issues related to the prevention of such conditions. The majority of work involves older patients who develop difficulties with mobility due to injury, structural problems, or the effects of systemic diseases. Overuse and sports injuries and children's developmental disorders are also treated. Since foot conditions often develop with age, the need for podiatrists is expected to increase as the population ages. In particular, diabetes is likely to contribute to the need for podiatrists' treatment into the future. Poorly controlled diabetes damages nerves and blood supply to the feet, increasing the likelihood of problems such as ulcers, and reducing healing ability. The prevalence of diabetes rapidly increases after 45 years of age.

Statistics

The Podiatry Labour Force Survey, conducted in 1999, shows that there were an estimated 2,011 employed  podiatrists in Australia (excluding the Northern Territory).  Of these, 730 (36.3%) were males and 1,281 (63.7%) were females. Most (74.5%) worked in the private sector, usually in their own or a group practice.  The most common public sector work settings were community health services and hospital out-patient clinics. 

In 1999 the Australian total comprised:

	NSW	Vic	Qld	WA	SA	Tas	ACT	Total
Total	566	667	247	194	245	63	29	2,011
Rate (per 100,000 pop.)	8.8	14.1	7.0	10.3	16.4	13.3	9.5	10.7

Across jurisdictions, the rate of employed podiatrists per 100,000 population in 1999 ranged from highs of 16.4 in South Australia and 14.1 in Victoria down to 9.5 in the Australian Capital Territory and 7.0 in Queensland. Across geographic areas, the rate of employed podiatrists per 100,000 population ranged from a high of 13.0 in large rural centres down to 4.9 in other rural and remote areas.

The average number of hours worked per week was 35.1, which was more than other allied health professions such as occupational therapists (32.2) and physiotherapists (34.4). The podiatry labour force is predominantly young, with just over half (51%) aged under 35 years.  In 1999, 36% of employed podiatrists in Australia (excluding N.T.) were males, higher than the 32% recorded in the 1994 survey. Fifty one percent of employed podiatrists were aged under 35 years.

 

Use of services

Persons aged 75 years and over were most likely to consult a podiatrist, followed by those aged 65-74 years (51,900 and 38,100, respectively). The number of consultations declined progressively to 1,800 aged under 5 years. Females in all age groups were far more likely than males to consult a podiatrist (ABS National Health Survey, 2001).

Publications

• Podiatry labour force 2003 (10 August 2006)
• Podiatry labour force 1999 (12 July 2002)
• National Health Labour Force Bulletin Podiatry Labour Force 1994 (1 October 1996)