Podiatric surgeons in Australia will undergo a significant title change, rebranding themselves as “surgical podiatrists” starting from October 2026. This decision follows a review conducted by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which highlighted widespread confusion among patients regarding the qualifications of these practitioners. The change aims to enhance clarity and transparency in the healthcare system, allowing patients to make more informed decisions.
According to Kristy Robson, chair of the Podiatry Board of Australia, the title shift is crucial for consumer understanding. “This is an important step in giving consumers greater clarity and transparency around the practitioner they are seeing and their training and qualifications,” she stated. The transition period will last for 12 months, providing time for affected professionals to adjust to the new designation before the previous title is officially banned.
Concerns regarding the qualifications of podiatric surgeons surfaced following a joint investigation by this publication and 60 Minutes in 2023. The report revealed alarming instances where patients experienced severe complications after undergoing invasive procedures performed by podiatric surgeons, many of whom lack a medical degree or comprehensive surgical training. Robson defended the skills of these practitioners, asserting they perform a range of complex foot and ankle procedures.
Despite this, some experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the new title. David Lunz, former president of the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s Foot and Ankle Society, expressed concerns that the term “surgical podiatrist” still carries implications of being a surgeon. “It’s still a problem,” he remarked, suggesting that “operating podiatrist” would be a more accurate description. Lunz emphasized that standards of training for podiatric surgeons do not align with those recognized internationally and are not sanctioned by the Australian Medical Council or any mainstream surgical college.
The review led by Ron Paterson, a fellow at Melbourne Law School, investigated the high rate of complaints against podiatric surgeons. Over a period of 13 years, data indicated that complaints about podiatric surgeons were 8.8 times higher than those for specialist orthopaedic surgeons and five times higher than for general podiatrists. While Paterson identified a “pattern of dissatisfaction,” he did not find “widespread safety and quality problems.” Nevertheless, he noted that some procedures performed by a small number of podiatric surgeons were unsafe, leading to significant patient harm.
Paterson’s findings revealed that patients were often surprised to learn their podiatric surgeon was not a medical practitioner, leading to confusion and concern. The review recommended stripping these practitioners of the title “surgeon,” but it acknowledged that they could still use the title “doctor,” as it is not legally protected.
In addition to the title change, Paterson proposed 14 recommendations addressing various aspects of podiatric practice, including registration, training, advertising, and the management of complaints. He urged AHPRA to enhance its regulatory approach, advocating for better enforcement of advertising standards and greater transparency regarding past complaints and medical negligence lawsuits against practitioners.
Following the review’s release in March 2023, the Podiatry Board of Australia conducted further consultations on the proposed title change. This process included input from 240 submissions from practitioners, professional bodies, patients, insurers, and regulators. AHPRA concluded that the title change aligns with the fundamental principles of national law, particularly focusing on public protection and fostering community confidence in regulated health professions.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, the rebranding of podiatric surgeons marks a significant step towards improving patient understanding and safety within the field. The upcoming title change, along with comprehensive reforms, is expected to reshape the perception and practice of foot and ankle care in Australia.
