This weeks blog aims to clarify a commonly ask or misunderstood question about “Do Podiatrists Cut Fingernails?”
As a podiatrist I have been asked this question more times than I can keep count, and always feel horrible when I politely decline. However after reading this weeks blog I hope you better understand as to why this is the case.
A podiatrist by definition from the Podiatry Association is:
“Podiatrists are university educated health care professionals specialising in the prevention, diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders, medical and surgical of the feet and lower limbs”.
Therefore anything below the knee within medical reason can be treated by a podiatrist and is covered by our professional indemnity insurance.
However the cutting of fingernails is not part of a podiatrists job description, or covered by our insurance, if anything was to go wrong.
This is why as much as your podiatrist understands that it may be difficult for you to cut your own fingernails, and as much as they would like to help, we are not allowed to undertake this procedure during your podiatry consultation.
Fingernail cutting comes under an activity of daily living and may be carried out by either a family member, friend, carer, paramedical aid, nurse or beauty salon. Fingernail cutting is also not covered under your health fund, so no rebate is given for this service.
If you are unsure about what services are available for fingernail cutting within your area speak to us at Proactive Podiatry during your next consultation.
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September 30, 2014
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