Daniel Broadley

Daniel Broadley: Extended scope podiatrist

After qualifying, Daniel worked as a locum before securing a band 6 position providing a breadth of services including MSK, Diabetes, nail surgeries and routine care. Daniel always had a special interest in MSK and sought after MSK aspects – such as providing simple insoles and offering exercises – in his general cases to develop his knowledge and skills in this area.

Daniel began working in a specific MSK role where he continued to build his skillset and eventually led to him leading in biomechanical clinics. This leading role supported Daniel’s transition into a hybrid role: part-time Podiatric Staff Podiatrist, part-time MSK Podiatrist.

Staff podiatrist roles	MSK podiatrist roles
Initial assessment of new patients considered for surgical intervention and presenting these cases to the podiatric surgeon  Post operative management, including off-loading and wound care Scrub role in theatre assisting surgeon Advanced anaesthesia (ankle and popliteal blocks)	Assessing pre- and post-operative surgical cases Utilising techniques: mobilisation, acupuncture, exercises, orthoses , steroid injections, ganglion aspirations, C arm guided injections, ultrasound guided injections, diagnostic ultrasound

Daniel reports the benefits of working in the NHS, mentioning, “the NHS gives me the support and peer review, as well as team working".

Alongside his NHS hybrid-role, Daniel also works privately, seeing both MSK and ‘general’ clients. Initially, Daniel was reluctant to see routine clients again after specialising in MSK;  however, he soon realised he was able to apply the new extent of his MSK knowledge and skills to these clients, picking up on biomechanical aspects that were influencing foot health. Daniel mentions the benefits of working in private include, “allowing use of all my skills, including things which may not be NHS funded.”

To support career development, Daniel undertook these additional learning courses: 

• MSc in Clinical Podiatric Biomechanics
• MSc modules in Podiatric Surgery: including blood work, diagnostic ultrasound course
• POMs

Daniel has extended his capabilities across the four pillars of practice and demonstrated development in research and evidence by undertaking an audit on: Developing an MSK arm of the podiatric surgical unit to improve patient reported outcomes. This audit was designed to increase service user experience of care delivery after Daniel noticed not having a dedicated MSK clinician in the surgery unit resulted in service users being referred back and forth to community services for management, where the clinicians in the community did not have dedicated knowledge of the service user’s condition, and therefore affected outcomes and delayed treatment. Through Daniel’s audit, the service incorporated an in-house MSK lead, and the audit results demonstrated improved outcomes for pre- and post-operative service users.

Daniel recommends for those wanting to excel in an MSK career, to:

"spend time in MSK units or podiatric surgical units to gain experience. Try and use your knowledge in general clinics to make insoles and give advice or exercises to improve knowledge and skill".