The Bachelor's Degree in Podiatry trains health professions workers in the area of rehabilitation, who carry out with ownership and professional autonomy activities directed at prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and functional assessment procedures. They carry out their rehabilitative and/or therapeutic intervention on individuals of developmental, adult and geriatric age on specific pathologies of the foot and musculoskeletal system.

The course complements traditional face-to-face lectures with:

• laboratory activities and project development inherent in both basic podiatry activities and cutting-edge experimental studies
• professional internships in laboratories, workshops or industries
• seminars and intensive courses on specific topics.

The course qualifies for the health profession of podiatrist, a health professional who works both in public health facilities of the National and Regional Health Service and in accredited and non-accredited private facilities, on a dependent or freelance basis, dealing with aspects of care, prevention and rehabilitation of the foot, including for the purpose of health education in individuals with diseases including diabetes.

The graduate possesses the scientific basis and theoretical-practical background necessary for understanding biological and hereditary phenomena, the main mechanisms of functioning of organs and systems, as well as psychological, social and environmental aspects. He/she knows the foundational concepts of podiatry, the conceptual models and methodology of the podiatric care process, the principles and norms defining the podiatrist's field of activity and responsibility, the deontological, legal and medico-legal principles of the profession.

He deals with the aspects of foot care, prevention, and rehabilitation: he/she can objectively examine the foot and treat it; he/she can rehabilitate the gait, using orthotic plantar or digital devices to treat and reduce deformities or malformations of the foot.

He also develops an integrated approach to the patient, critically evaluating the clinical, relational, educational, social, and ethical podiatric aspects involved in prevention, care, rehabilitation, and recovery of the highest degree of well-being. He/she is familiar with the ethical and historical dimensions of medicine with special reference to podiatry and knows how to enter into relationships by communicating effectively and appropriately with patient and caregivers.

Finally, he/she collaborates with different professionals in group health activities, including in clinical mentoring.

School of Podiatry
. Policlinico San Martino Hospital - Outpatient Internship Pavilion 13 - 2nd floor east side
Largo Rosanna Benzi 10
16132 Genoa

1) What work does a Podiatry Graduate do?
. The Podiatrist is a health professional who, possessing a qualifying degree, after registration in the professional register, performs with ownership and professional autonomy, with respect to individuals and the community, activities directed toward prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and functional assessment procedures in respect of podiatric and/or related pathologies on individuals of developmental, adult and geriatric age. The Podiatrist has the ability to understand the fundamentals of pathophysiology as applied to specific pathologies of the foot and musculoskeletal system and to identify podiatric care needs in relation to different age groups, different pathologies and disabilities, and work and sports activities. The Podiatrist has the ability to implement health education programs for the prevention of postural pathologies and identifies alterations in the foot, including through specific diagnostic tools. In Italy, this is a figure established by the Ministry of Health under the regulations set forth in Ministry of Health Decree No. 666 of September 14, 1994, and subsequent regulations. His responsibilities include, in particular, treatments of epidermal and nail affections of mechanical or other etiology; onychopathies and consequent lesions. Treatments are aimed at functional maintenance of the feet and bloodless, orthotic and hydrotherapeutic methods are implemented. The Sports Podiatrist specializes in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. In general, the work of a Sports Podiatrist can be helpful in understanding what effect the practice of a sport has on the feet of those who play it, or supportive in improving sports performance. The Podiatrist evaluates the morphology of the foot and its function (both static and dynamic) with instrumental techniques.. He also uses non-invasive medical devices for the treatment of painful feet, as required by Ministerial Decree 666/1994. For the treatment of lesions of epidermal tissue, caused by viruses, such as warts, he implements bloodless excision treatments, however referable to M.D. 666/1994.
 
2) What does a podiatry graduate not do?
. A Podiatry graduate does not do medical diagnosis and drug prescription. The degree in Podiatry is a three-year licensing degree for the profession of Podiatry, so he/she can do this profession and no other.
 
3) What kind of motivations do people have who choose to get a degree in Podiatry?
. First and foremost, the work of the Podiatry Graduate is aimed at taking care of the person/patient in order to meet their needs. This means that the Podiatrist must be well predisposed toward people, showing them kindness and helpfulness; must have a certain dexterity and precision in movements; and must possess good interpersonal skills and listening aptitude to interact effectively with users/patients.
 
4) Where can I get a job with a degree in Podiatry?
. The probability of a Podiatry graduate finding a job is very high (83.8 percent employed one year after graduation). A Podiatry graduate works as a Podiatrist in public and private facilities, on the territory, in hospitals and in research (a constantly evolving field) or can start a freelance career by opening a VAT number.
 
5) What types of users does a Podiatry graduate work with?
. The profession of the Podiatrist is essential in the prevention of complications that can easily arise in individuals affected by such conditions as metabolic (diabetes), cardiovascular (peripheral vasculopathies) orthopedic (metatarsophalangeal joint deviations and plantar load alterations) and rheumatologic (osteo-articular and plantar panniculus adiposus atrophy). The figure of the Podiatrist finds use in the application of treatment, by means of suitable orthotics, of posture alterations, as the foot is an important receptor of the postural tonic system. The Podiatrist assists in the education of patients with at-risk conditions and collaborates with other specialists in the management of people with conditions that require a multi-disciplinary approach. The Podiatrist assists an extremely varied type of people, from the healthy individual on whom he or she works through health education interventions, to the individual with health problems of varying complexity, both chronic and acute.
 
6) In what public institutions can a Podiatry graduate work?
In all facilities of the national health system that guarantee the regulations related to the professional profile and, after obtaining a Master's Degree, in the University.
 
7) What outlets does a Podiatry graduate have in the private sector?
. In all private health care facilities that guarantee the regulations related to the professional profile. The private sector is growing and the number of Podiatry graduates required is constantly increasing, this is due to the increase in the age of the population and the increase in the frequency of dysmetabolic diseases that can lead to severe impairment (such as in the diabetic foot). The podiatrist may also practice as a freelancer.

 
8) What further studies can a graduate in Podiatry have access to?
. A graduate in Podiatry can continue his or her course of study by enrolling in first-level Master's degrees and the Master's degree; in addition, after obtaining the Master's degree, he or she can enroll in second-level university Master's degrees and the PhD.
 
9) What are the chances of finding a job for a Podiatry graduate?
. Very high chances of finding employment in the private sector. Less high those in the public sector where the figure of the Podiatrist has not yet found a proper fit.

 
10) What career possibilities does a Podiatry graduate have?
. Career possibilities, as with other health professionals, we find them in the clinic, in the organization, in the university.

Teaching Secretary
. Director of Professional Teaching and Internship
Daniela Risso

Director of Education Support Unit DISC
Lina Carlisi