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FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE
Technology and skills shortage drive a new era of wellness
TRENDS
FUTURE predictions of skill shortages in
massage therapy have influenced the trend
towards higher education.
So much so, that the health funds demanded
change with diplomas and above qualifications
to address the situation of untrained
practitioners treating patients.
Projections in Australia show an expected
short-medium term shortage of skilled, qualified
workers for allied health positions.
Expansion of allied health to accommodate
the growing ageing population will require
years of experienced practitioners to fill the
void.
The practitioners performing massage
therapy at Health plus Chiropractic already have
years of extensive experience.
The decision was made long ago by this
business to only engage the best in their field
with the top tier of qualifications in massage
therapy.
Professional development programs
While some other professions moved toward
mandatory continuing education, Health
plus Chiropractic also committed to continuous
improvement by a range of ongoing professional
development programs
Current trends, particularly for chiropractic,
are focusing on functional and rehabilitation
programs and customized solutions for musculoskeletal
conditions.
As more of the population is taking responsibility
for their own health, making the right
choice and keeping fit, educating the importance
of regular maintenance and looking after
yourself has increased the need of having health
partners.
Using other approaches in the past has had
a redirection change to chiropractic, massage
and podiatry as being the choice of preferred
treatment.
Patient education and understanding the
treatment program is the key to wellness.
Some of the most notable changes in
podiatry locally are occurring here at Health
plus Chiropractic includes new and emerging
technologies, in addition to the usually high
standards of general care.
New dimensions for podiatrists
Podiatrists have been able to add a few new
dimensions to not only how they diagnose conditions
of the lower limb, but also how they can
implement more effect treatment programs.
Podiatrist Mark Palmer is at the forefront of
these developments.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
(ESWT) is the newest way of attacking some
common, and often stubborn, soft tissue
complaints.
Whilst it can be used successfully all over
the body, Shockwave Therapy is used in Podiatry
to treat plantar fasciitis (heel spurs) and
Achilles tendonitis.
These new machines use a repetitive sound
wave (or shockwave) to basically stimulate
components in the body which can heal
inflamed tissue.
How technology is helping
Traditionally, treatment of these types
of chronic and painful conditions consists of
massage and stretching in conjunction with
anti-inflammatory techniques (such as Rest/
Ice/Compression/Elevation).
By combining traditional approaches with
shockwave it is possible to accelerate the healing
process, and breakdown tissue that may
have scarred from long-term inflammation or
even calcified (in the case of spurs).
There are little to no side-effects and the
machine intensity can be adjusted to the comfort
of the patient.
Another new technology utilised is a 3D
foot and ankle scanner. Replacing the older
technique of taking casts or moulds of feet to
then make orthotic innersoles, the scanner creates
a 3D model of the foot.
The type of #D scanner used by Mark
Palmer operates on a digital mapping process
that takes into account the entire foot, not just
the sole.
Extremely lightweight and portable, the
scanner connects wirelessly to a handheld
tablet that the Podiatrist uses to initiate the scan
and upload and view 3D, 360 degree images of
the patient’s foot.
They can be shared immediately with the
patient and sent wirelessly to the orthotics
company, cutting the waiting time for customdesigned
orthotics in half, while enabling a
“better fit.”
In conjunction with the new technology
available, advances in research have led to a
new understanding of how our foot and ankle
functions in motion and interacts with the rest
of our body.
The older theories were based around
“forcing” the foot into a pre-determined best
position to improve function and reduce pain.
New theories are much more dynamic,
realising that there are many different foot types
and whilst there is still an overall template for
movement and function, everyone is different,
therefore the treatment plans need to be
customised to the individual patient.
The result for the patient is a much wider
variety of treatment options, orthotic designs
and better long-term outcomes.
The role of footwear
Footwear has changed greatly in the last decade
or so as well. Manufacturers have worked
with the various Podiatry Associations around
the world to bridge the gap between orthopaedic
(or medical grade) footwear and what is
available in a retail setting.
Footwear companies are embracing the use
of orthotic technology and designing shoes that
make it easier for the consumer to follow the
advice of their Podiatrist and still end up with a
shoe which is stylish, practical and affordable.
This trend extends across most footwear
types from running and sports shoes, to safety
and work footwear, and even into the fashion
sector.
It certainly makes our job easier when
we can explain to our patients that they can
purchase a shoe that they like to wear, from a
shop that is easy to get to, at a price that doesn’t
require a second mortgage
Safety footwear, formally restricted to big,
heavy boots, now cater to men and women,
can be lightweight and usually offer the same
cushioning materials found in a pair of running
shoes.
Who needs a podiatrist?
So who goes to see a Podiatrist these days?
Little old ladies with thick toenails and corns?
The answer now is: everyone with a pair of feet!
General foot care will always be a big part
of podiatric practice, but with a combination
of cutting edge technology, new and refined
techniques and some good old-fashioned
experience, everyone will benefit from seeing a
Podiatrist.
From elite athletes trying to overcome a
chronic injury or improve their technique, to
whole companies sending through their valued
workers who stand on their feet all day, it is
possible to assess, advise, and improve the way
your most important asset (your feet) functions.
So whilst many of the tried and tested
“hands on” techniques will always be there, the
profession of Podiatry is certainly ‘keeping up
with the Joneses’ in the technology stakes.
Video Gait Analysis, 3D Scanning and
Shockwave are already part of everyday treatments
at Health plus Chiropractic and with
advances in 3D printing and Laser Technology
for Fungal Nails, who knows what may be
around the corner?
It is considered that the greatest projected
change in Podiatry in the coming years will be
more formal specialisation.
Currently, most podiatrists fill a “jack of all
trades” role in foot and lower limb care, providing
care for those with diabetes, arthritis, kids
through to the elderly, biomechanics and sports
injuries as well as general foot care (toenails,
corns and calluses).
We already see some podiatrists labeling
themselves as “Sports Podiatrists,” while others
will position their practices to cater for particular
groups like aged care or paediatrics.
Then there are those who work within
the hospital system will specialise in high risk
diabetic care. At the moment though, all of
these specialties are simply a choice made by
the individual Podiatrist.
The push is on to make these specialties
a more formal qualification, this will mean
further education for those who choose to
follow this path and make it easier to direct
patients to those clinicians who can best help
their problems.
Don’t despair though, the local Podiatrist
who can look after every foot need will be
around for many years to come, but like all
good things in life, the profession needs to
continually evolve to provide the best care for
patients!
52 WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS SEPTEMBER 2015