Specialisation in allied health

This chapter explores the development of podiatric surgery as a state-registered allied health specialisation, and the negotiations with the state and the medical profession that shaped it. Few allied health professions have successfully achieved recognised specialisms. The medical profession particularly and the nursing profession to a lesser extent have both been successful in achieving internal divisions of labour through state-recognised specialisations. While many allied health professions recognise 'special interests' and endorse specialist areas of practice, few of these specialisms are formally recognised by the state or attract a higher level of professional recognition through higher roles and reimbursement. The two notable exceptions to this are the practice of psychology and podiatry.