Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

Doctors of podiatric medicine

• Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and communicate diagnoses to patients
• Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, or prescribed medications
• May also perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot and the subcutaneous soft tissues of the foot.

Chiropodists and diploma or first-degree trained podiatrists

• Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot
• Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy and subcutaneous soft-tissue foot surgery.

Doctors of naturopathic medicine

• Diagnose patients' diseases and disorders
• Employ natural methods of healing such as acupuncture and acupressure, spinal manipulation, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal medicines, biochemical therapy, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and counselling in their treatment.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine

• Diagnose disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems
• Treat patients with manipulative therapy, medications or surgery.

• Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)
• A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required.
• A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia.
• A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degree is required to practice podiatry in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
• Chiropodists and podiatrists
• An advanced three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada or a first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required.
• A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
• Doctors of naturopathic medicine
• A university degree in pre-medical science is required.
• Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad or a four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required.
• A licence is required in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
• Doctors of osteopathic medicine
• A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathic medicine program.
• A four-year program in osteopathic medicine leading to a doctor of osteopathy degree and a minimum three-year medical residency are required. These qualifications are obtained in the United States.
• Completion of certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.