Podiatry placement in Thailand

Two podiatry students spent a placement like no other in Bangkok as part of their degree.

Lily and Penny are on the final year of the Podiatry (Pre-Registration) MSc and took a four week elective placement at Theptarin Hospital in Thailand. Theptarin is a specialised hospital for metabolic conditions with its own foot clinic run by Dr Poovasit Klinoubol.

Dr Klinoubol is currently the only podiatrist officially licensed with surgical privileges with Thailand’s healthcare professional body.

Dr Klinoubol graduated with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from New York College of Podiatric Medicine and had been working as an attending Podiatric and Forefoot and Rearfoot Reconstructive Surgery Resident at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital before returning to Thailand to start his podiatric practice in Dec 2021.

Penny and Lily said of their experience: “We have thoroughly enjoyed the unique learning opportunities offered at Theptarin Hospital with Dr Poovasit. Learning about his commitment to becoming the first and only DPM in Thailand has completely inspiring. He has gone above and beyond to share his knowledge and skills with us and been so encouraging!

“We have seen an array of interesting patients whose needs and complaints differ from those we are used to seeing, as well as a scope of practice which extends far beyond ours, including observing amputation surgeries and follow-up care.

“The commitment to streamline multidisciplinary practice at Theptarin Hospital is impressive, extending to the design of the building – where the fire escape has been renamed the ‘diabetes escape’ to encourage the use of stairs over the lift, as well as offering affordable and healthy food to all staff and patients. We have been motivated to incorporate this into our practice once we return home.

“We are incredibly grateful to have been provided the chance to be here, as the first students from the UK, and would recommend any future students to grab the opportunity with both hands!

“The entire team in the foot care clinic have been so welcoming and have enabled us to really enjoy our time here, we will be sad to say goodbye. Thank you so much for facilitating this.”

Find out how you can become a podiatrist with the University of Brighton.