Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery

ABSTRACT Interprofessional conflict has long characterised the relationship between UK podiatric surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, stemming from overlapping professional boundaries and differing regulatory frameworks. This commentary focuses upon the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between...

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Main Authors: Ewan Kannegieter, Kaser Nazir, Susan A. Nancarrow, Alan M. Borthwick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jfa2.70048
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author Ewan Kannegieter
Kaser Nazir
Susan A. Nancarrow
Alan M. Borthwick
author_facet Ewan Kannegieter
Kaser Nazir
Susan A. Nancarrow
Alan M. Borthwick
author_sort Ewan Kannegieter
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Interprofessional conflict has long characterised the relationship between UK podiatric surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, stemming from overlapping professional boundaries and differing regulatory frameworks. This commentary focuses upon the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) and the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS), which aims to address key areas of agreement and disagreement while fostering collaboration. It provides a contextual backdrop by illuminating the historical interprofessional conflict preceding the MoU and highlights the potential of the MoU to enhance patient outcomes, improve workforce sustainability and bridge historical divides. It is clear that achieving lasting progress will require continued dialogue and mutual recognition of each profession's contributions to modern healthcare. These issues also hold broader relevance for interprofessional relations and healthcare policy worldwide.
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issn 1757-1146
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
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series Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
spelling doaj-art-e92fe681c0894a6ea3eab711b58b4eef2025-08-20T03:32:32ZengWileyJournal of Foot and Ankle Research1757-11462025-06-01182n/an/a10.1002/jfa2.70048Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric SurgeryEwan Kannegieter0Kaser Nazir1Susan A. Nancarrow2Alan M. Borthwick3Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine Quinnipiac University Hamden Connecticut USAGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust London UKAllied Health Workforce HealthWork International Brisbane AustraliaFaculty of Environmental and Life Sciences School of Health Sciences University of Southampton Southampton UKABSTRACT Interprofessional conflict has long characterised the relationship between UK podiatric surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, stemming from overlapping professional boundaries and differing regulatory frameworks. This commentary focuses upon the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) and the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS), which aims to address key areas of agreement and disagreement while fostering collaboration. It provides a contextual backdrop by illuminating the historical interprofessional conflict preceding the MoU and highlights the potential of the MoU to enhance patient outcomes, improve workforce sustainability and bridge historical divides. It is clear that achieving lasting progress will require continued dialogue and mutual recognition of each profession's contributions to modern healthcare. These issues also hold broader relevance for interprofessional relations and healthcare policy worldwide.https://doi.org/10.1002/jfa2.70048interprofessional conflictjurisdictional disputesorthopaedic surgerypodiatric surgery
spellingShingle Ewan Kannegieter
Kaser Nazir
Susan A. Nancarrow
Alan M. Borthwick
Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
interprofessional conflict
jurisdictional disputes
orthopaedic surgery
podiatric surgery
title Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery
title_full Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery
title_fullStr Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery
title_full_unstemmed Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery
title_short Reconciling Differences Between Podiatric and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United Kingdom: The Memorandum of Understanding and Its Implications for the Future of Podiatric Surgery
title_sort reconciling differences between podiatric and orthopaedic surgeons in the united kingdom the memorandum of understanding and its implications for the future of podiatric surgery
topic interprofessional conflict
jurisdictional disputes
orthopaedic surgery
podiatric surgery
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jfa2.70048
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