When most of us graduate from podiatry school, we probably have a fairly traditional picture of what our career might look like. We’ll work in a clinic, treat patients, perhaps open a practice one day, and see where things go.
Chelsea Tritschler’s career has been anything but predictable.
In this episode, I’m joined by UK podiatrist Chelsea Tritschler, owner of Derriford Therapies, to talk about her journey from nursing student to podiatrist, prison podiatry, practice ownership, forensic podiatry, and eventually becoming an expert witness.
And yes, we talk about footprints at crime scenes.
From Nursing to Podiatry
Chelsea originally started training to become a nurse, but after experiencing significant foot pain during long hospital shifts, one of her tutors suggested she look into podiatry.
She didn’t really know what podiatry was at the time, but the more she investigated the profession, the more she realised just how many different directions a podiatry career could take.
So she changed degrees and started studying podiatry at Plymouth University.
Looking back now, that decision certainly opened some interesting doors.
Podiatry Behind Prison Walls
After graduating, Chelsea went into private practice, spending much of her time doing home visits and visiting care homes.
She also took on an NHS contract providing podiatry services inside three prisons in Devon.
We talk about what it was like treating prisoners, the types of conditions she encountered and some of the situations that occasionally made her feel uneasy.
It was certainly a very different introduction to professional life than working in your average suburban podiatry clinic.
Discovering Forensic Podiatry
While studying podiatry, Chelsea became fascinated by forensic podiatry and eventually completed a Master’s degree in the field.
Her studies included examining footprints, footwear, wear patterns, and the types of evidence that can potentially connect, or disconnect, someone from a crime scene.
Chelsea loved the subject and earned a distinction for her Master’s, despite admitting during our conversation that she’d never considered herself particularly academic.
I think there’s a lesson in that alone. When you find something that genuinely interests you, learning can become a completely different experience.
Becoming an Expert Witness
Chelsea initially imagined her forensic podiatry qualification might lead towards criminal forensic work. However, living in southwest England meant many of those opportunities weren’t readily available without relocating.
Instead of abandoning what she had learned, she started looking for another way to use it.
That eventually led her into expert-witness work.
Chelsea now provides independent podiatry opinions in civil cases. Sometimes this involves reviewing extensive clinical records and preparing reports, while other cases may involve assessing a patient and considering their future podiatry requirements.
Importantly, Chelsea explains that an expert witness isn’t there to help whichever side is paying them win. Their duty is to the court, and their opinion needs to remain independent.
Would Your Clinical Notes Protect You?
One of the most valuable parts of our conversation is Chelsea’s perspective on clinical documentation.
Through her expert-witness work, she sees podiatry records after something has gone wrong or when treatment is being questioned.
And sometimes the problem isn’t necessarily the treatment.
It’s the notes.
Chelsea has seen situations where a podiatrist may have provided very good care, but their documentation doesn’t adequately explain what they did, why they did it or the clinical reasoning behind their decisions.
It’s a powerful reminder that your clinical notes shouldn’t simply record that you saw the patient. They should help another person understand your thought process and the reasoning behind your treatment.
From Clinician to Business Owner
Chelsea also shares her experience of opening Derriford Therapies in 2022.
Like many podiatrists, she went into business knowing how to be a podiatrist but without really knowing how to run a business.
She admits she made plenty of mistakes along the way and initially assumed many aspects of business ownership would simply come naturally.
They didn’t.
Chelsea eventually started working with a business coach, and we discuss the difference having experienced guidance can make when you’re trying to work out where your business is heading instead of continually guessing what to do next.
Becoming a Leader
Chelsea is now growing her practice and has two young podiatrists working with her.
That has introduced another unexpected chapter in her career: leadership.
She’d never considered herself a leader or seen herself in a leadership role, but she’s enjoying watching younger podiatrists develop and passing on the knowledge she’s gained throughout her career.
At the same time, she continues her expert-witness work because it gives her something different from everyday clinical practice.
There Is More Than One Way to Do Podiatry
That’s probably what I enjoyed most about this conversation. No rule says your entire podiatry career needs to follow one straight line.
Chelsea has worked in patients’ homes, care homes, prisons and her own private practice. She has studied forensic podiatry, become an expert witness, started a business, become an employer and is now developing as a leader.
Some of those opportunities were planned. Others appeared because Chelsea followed something she found interesting.
If there’s an area of podiatry that fascinates you, explore it.
You never know where it might lead.
Other episodes that may be of interest:
436 – Who Are You When You’re Not Being A Podiatrist
434 – See the World with Your Podiatry Degree
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