Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
Demographic and geographic characterization of the podiatric specialty through the CMS National Downloadable File
Courtney Chandler Dorliea1, Kavya Ajbani1, Jeneen Elagha1
1Resident, Temple University Hospital Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Background:
Workforce data analyses of contemporary US podiatric physicians might be relatively lacking in comparison to other specialties. This information is important given concerns for the aging US population and predicted long-term physician shortages.
Purpose:
The objective of this investigation was to provide a comprehensive contemporary demographic and geographic descriptive analysis of the podiatric specialty in the US.
Study Design:
Epidemiologic descriptive analysis.
Methods:
The National Downloadable File produced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was accessed in July 2025. Demographic and geographic data related to those physicians with a credential of "DPM" was extracted and analyzed.
Results:
The number of podiatric physicians with an active NPI was 15658. Of these, 70.9% were male. 22.8% graduated from podiatric medical school prior to 1991, while 31.6% graduated after 2011. Podiatric physicians with an active NPI billed within 6678 different zip codes and at 26386 different billing addresses. Although it was most frequent for DPMs with an active NPI to bill from one address (37.8%), the mean±standard deviation (range) of billing addresses per NPI was 1.7 ± 1.5 (1-50).
Discussion:
The results of this investigation provide unique information on the demographic and geographic characteristics of podiatric physicians with an active NPI. It is our hope that this primarily descriptive raw data is utilized by state and national organizations for improved work force analyses for the podiatric specialty.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:31Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary: