About the Profession
A chiropodist is a primary care professional who specializes in the assessment, management and prevention of dysfunctions, disorders and diseases of the foot. The foot is a complex structure and when a disorder or dysfunction affects the foot, it can affect a person’s overall quality of life. Chiropodists can help a person with foot problems and significantly improve their general health, well-being and their quality of life. A career in chiropody can be very rewarding and fulfilling. As a chiropodist you can work as an independent practitioner in a private practice setting or be an integral part of a multidisciplinary health care team.
Chiropodists are skilled in the management of acute and chronic conditions affecting the foot. These conditions can include diabetes, sports and traumatic injuries, biomechanical disorders, ulcers and pediatric foot conditions. A referral is not required to consult a chiropodist – however, chiropodists often work closely with other medical professionals as part of the health care team.
Chiropodists work in a wide range of settings, including community health centers, family health teams, long-term care facilities, hospitals, sports teams and in private practice. The practice can be specialized to treat chronic conditions, such as diabetic ulcers, or more general practice enabling the practitioner to choose a specialty that interests them.
About the Program
Discover a career that lets you put your best foot forward.
The Michener Institute of Education at UHN offers Canada’s only English-taught Chiropody program, with a rigorous curriculum in fundamental podiatric medicine and clinical practice that integrates didactic courses, hands-on practical labs, simulated clinical training and clinical practice right from the first year of the program.
Students will study the anatomy of the lower extremity, dissection, clinical pharmacology, pathophysiology and biomechanics of the lower limb and gait cycle. They also get the opportunity to treat patients under the supervision of faculty of licensed chiropodists in Michener’s on-site Chiropody clinic, which provides the chance to practice and build upon their patient-care skills and procedural techniques, including:
- Local anesthesia
- Podiatric soft tissue surgery
- Injection techniques
- Biomechanics
- Wound care
- Radiology
In addition to their experience at the on-site chiropody clinic, students will complete specialized external clinical placements where they will gain the experience of real world practice, to complete the program.
To practice as a licensed chiropodist in Ontario, individuals must be registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. Graduates from this program are eligible to write the College’s provincial registration exam.
Curriculum - Chiropody
| Year | Semester | Course Title | Course Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall | Lower Extremity Anatomy Dissection | APCH110 |
| 1 | Fall | Structure and Function of the Lower Limb | APCH112 |
| 1 | Fall | Dermatology | DMCH121 |
| 1 | Fall | Pathophysiology I | PGCH110 |
| 1 | Fall | Podiatric Medicine I | POCH111 |
| 1 | Fall | Foundations of Podiatric Professional Practice | FPCH111 |
| 1 | Winter | Podiatric Biomechanics I | BMCH121 |
| 1 | Winter | Podiatric Clinical Practice I | CLCH121 |
| 1 | Winter | Pathophysiology II | PGCH121 |
| 1 | Winter | Clinical Pharmacology | PMCH121 |
| 1 | Winter | Podiatric Medicine II | POCH122 |
| 2 | Fall | Podiatric Biomechanics II | BMCH230 |
| 2 | Fall | Podiatric Clinical Practice II | CLCH231 |
| 2 | Fall | Laboratory Diagnosis and Imaging | IGCH230 |
| 2 | Fall | Podiatric Anesthesia and Injections | LACH230 |
| 2 | Fall | Podiatric Medicine III | POCH230 |
| 2 | Winter | Podiatric Clinical Practice III | CLCH241 |
| 2 | Winter | Podopediatrics | PECH240 |
| 2 | Winter | Management of the High Risk Foot | POCH240 |
| 2 | Winter | Podiatric Sports Medicine | SMCH240 |
| 2 | Winter | Podiatric Soft Tissue Surgery | TSCH240 |
| 3 | Summer | Podiatric Clinical Practice IV | CLCH350 |
| 3 | Summer | Evidence Based Practice | EBCH253 |
| 3 | Summer | Research Project | RMCH360 |
| 3 | Fall | Podiatric Clinical Placements (Clinical Practice V) | CLCH361 |
| 4 | Winter | Podiatric Clinical Externships | CLCH372 |
| 4 | Winter | Legislation & Practice Management | LPCH360 |
Throughout COVID-19, the Chiropody program offered flexible modes of delivery for its course content to maintain a comprehensive and engaging learning environment.
