No, Podiatrists and pedicurists are not the same - they have very different qualifications and scope of practice:

Podiatrist:

• Medical healthcare professional with extensive university training (typically 3-4+ years of specialised study).

• Diagnoses and treats foot and ankle medical conditions, injuries, and diseases.

• Can prescribe medications, perform surgery, and provide comprehensive medical treatment.

• Treats medical conditions like diabetic foot problems, infections, and biomechanical issues.

Pedicurist:

• Beauty/cosmetic professional with shorter training focused on nail and skin care. No tertiary education is required.

• Provides cosmetic foot care services like nail trimming, callus removal, and foot massage.

• Cannot diagnose medical conditions or provide medical treatment.

• Focuses on aesthetic improvement and basic foot hygiene.

If you have foot pain, medical conditions, or injuries, you should see a Podiatrist. If you want purely cosmetic foot care and nail maintenance, you should visit a pedicurist.