Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. A podiatrist treats the foot of a patient at a homeless shelter in Homestead, Florida.Within the United Kingdom, the titles podiatrist and chiropodist are to some extent interchangeable. Although the UK government-appointed regulator acknowledges both titles and makes no distinction between them, they are used differently within the occupation. 'Podiatrist' is a reserved title in the UK, meaning that it can only be used by those registered with the Health Professions Council. Inside the profession, chiropody is used to suggest the routine processes of foot care, whilst podiatry is indicative of the higher skills and academic levels. In the United States, a podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), also known as a podiatric physician or surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training and experience. Podiatry is also practiced in other countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The level and scope of practice may vary in these countries as compared in the US. In the United States, podiatric medicine and surgery is practiced by a licensed Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Education consists of a professional doctoral degree which is a four-year program followed by a two or three year residency. This training follows a four-year undergraduate college degree. The first year of podiatric medical school is similar to training that other physicians (either medical doctors or osteopathic doctors) receive, but with more emphasis on foot, ankle and lower extremity problems and less emphasis on other topics such as embryology, pediatrics and psychiatry.