Physical Examinations by Podiatrists

History, Physicals, and Admissions

It falls within a Podiatrist's scope of practice and licensure to conduct “History and Physicals.” This ability is limited only by the position of the hospital or facility where privileges are granted.

• Privileging is a local matter between the applicant and medical staff. Nevertheless, within licensure/scope, a Podiatrist MAY perform a full H&P (i.e. head-toe) for podiatric admission, but only if credentialed to do so by medical staff (local control) and of course, if prudent to do so understanding that most facilities take a multi-disciplinary admission approach for patient safety. This "full H&P" would include addressing "other elements in a full H&P such as cardiac, medical and/or other non-podiatric related elements." But, the Podiatrist would have to demonstrate his/her competency to medical staff to perform full H&P's (i.e. head-toe).
• A Podiatrist could NOT perform a full H&P for a patient NOT undergoing podiatric medical (foot) treatment. For example, a facility could not authorize a Podiatrist to do a full H&P on a patient for "medical" conditions such as knee, hip, back, heart, brain surgery, etc. Meaning, while a Podiatrist can do a full H&P for foot surgery, that is not a waiver for a Podiatrist to do full H&P's for non-foot conditions.
• Credentialing is a matter for local determination and community standards.

Federal DOT Physical Examinations (FMCSA)

Podiatrists may not issue such a "Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) DOT Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination.”

Rendering such a certification requires medical determinations for body systems beyond the foot.

In Texas, a podiatrist may not:

• conduct testing and physical examinations required on the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) DOT Medical Examination Report
• determine whether the driver is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce
• complete the Medical Examiner’s Certificate

University Interscholastic League (UIL) Physical Evaluations

A Texas podiatrist cannot conduct the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation.

It falls outside the scope of practice for podiatry in Texas for a Texas podiatrist to issue such a UIL Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation/Examination Report as rendering such a certification requires medical determinations for body systems beyond the foot.