Maybe, but I think that observation and experimentation in practice will change your perspective, despite what some overpaid social scientist hired by your medical school will have told you. I have found that most patients respond more positively to a clear definition of roles, rather than a simpering effort to ingratiate oneself to them in a "non-threatening" manner. Although people may pontificate about wanting to be seen as equals and being part of a "patient inclusive care team", or some such construct, when the actual moment of truth arrives, in my experience, most patients respond to confidence and competence, and validation that since they are paying for a physician, they are going to get one. Again, in my opinion, from my experience, this is best done with the direct "I am Dr. Majors, and this is what I will be doing for you today", rather than "I'm Brick, and I will be your provider", which is ambiguous, and often necessitates explanation, which wastes everyones time, and also seems disingenuous and patronizing.
For the terminally insecure, who by right of their degree, require being addressed as "doctor", that is just fine. A way to avoid any awkwardness around the issue is to ask how they would like to be addressed when you verify their identity. As an aside, I have never encountered a patient who was an actual physician who wanted to be called "doctor", this is usually only an issue for people like the author of this article, or naturopaths, or whatever.
