The State of Podiatry in Alabama
Podiatric Medicine is the profession of the health sciences concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the human foot and ankle, and their governing and related structures, including the local manifestations of systemic conditions, by all appropriate systems and means.
Alabama’s podiatry law has not been updated since 1973 (49 years).
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, Alabama is one of only three states that limits podiatric scope of practice to the foot only
What Does SB101 Do?
Modernize
SB101 will modernize access to care by Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) for all Alabamians by allowing a modest update of podiatrists’ scope of practice to include the foot and ankle and the soft tissue structures that govern the functions of the foot and ankle.
Expand Providers
Under this limited update of scope, a DPM in Alabama would now be able to treat a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, an ankle fracture, remove a cyst or other mass, and treat ulcerations (like venous stasis ulcers).
Specialized Training
Proper training is critical to patient safety, and this legislation requires that a DPM “who surgically treats osseous ailments of the ankle shall have completed at least 24 months of post-graduate residency training approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association."
What Does This Legislation Not Do?
Alabama DPMs are not seeking a more permissive scope of practice like GA and FL which allow podiatrists to treat the lower leg or up to the knee.
SB101 will not allow DPMs to circumvent the multi-year residency training requirement by allowing a short-term, “weekend course” to meet the training requirements for this updated scope of practice law.
This legislation does not expand current allowed amputations. It maintains current Alabama law allowing DPMs to perform digital and metatarsal amputations. The legislation specifically states that allowable amputation “shall not include the amputation of the leg in its entirety or any portion of the leg.”
Current Alabama law allows DPMs to administer only local anesthesia. This legislation does not change current anesthesia practices by Alabama DPMs.
Expand Alabamians Access to Healthcare
Contact your StaTE sENATOR tODAY!
Contact your State Senator, and urge them to support SB101!
Alabama Podiatric Medical Association
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