Barefoot running is being widely promoted as a natural alternative to wearing running shoes. There are many websites and books devoted to barefoot running. Most of the claims for barefoot running center around claims of improved running efficiency, less injuries and a more satisfying running experience. The most popular book on this is Born to Run, by Christopher McDougal. Many people have taken up barefoot running after reading the book.
Despite these claims none of them are backed up with evidence, but the barefoot running community do like to claim that there is evidence (see this analysis of what the website calls the intellectual dishonesty of the barefoot running community). The barefoot running community do appear to be sensitive to criticism and do tend to attack, for example, ‘podiatrists as snake oil salesman‘ and not address the actual criticisms of barefoot running and the issues being raised.
A lot of the criticisms of the barefoot running community focus on how they misuse and misrepresent research to support their cause. To try and argue with them, is like trying to argue religion (see this on the Zealotry of Barefoot Running). It is often difficult to engage with barefoot runners into any sort of rational discussion. There are exceptions and in this thread on Barefoot Running Debate, from Podiatry Arena, a barefoot runner does get involved and seems to understand these issues.
Having said all that, podiatrists do need to be familiar with the barefoot running movement and its claims and runners will ask for informed opinions about barefoot running and a barefoot runner as a patient does present some unique challenges. Podiatrists need to be aware of the issues, regardless of what they think of the issues. Barefoot running drills are probably useful as a part of a balanced training program.
There is also plenty of debate on this issue in languages other than english. See this debate on barefoot ruuning.
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