Is a PharmD still considered a doctor?

[mentos]

“Your degree is technically a doctorate... No, you’re not a doctor.” Do you hear yourself? Read what you typed. LOL. The contradictions.

I can already see it... You’re upset with your life. Sorry, I won’t be and will still be a doctor!

Most likely an unemployed "doctor" by the time you graduate.

It's not nice to insult people.

I've never seen anyone burn bridges in their profession before they even began school. Remarkable.

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[Lubeckd]

Most likely an unemployed "doctor" by the time you graduate.

It's not nice to insult people.

I've never seen anyone burn bridges in their profession before they even began school. Remarkable.

yeah man. all I was was culturally what are you? It explains why people are polite, impolite. And then she gets angry at me. not that Im upset at her. Trying to have a teaching opp gone to but she doesnt need it.

 

[GodIsBeautiful]

I think I'm starting to spot a future Pharmacist who will get upset when the patient doesn't address them as Doctor when they stop by to pick up their meds at Walgreens....That'll be pleasant for everyone.

I mean, she did go get her doctorate, so... She should be called a doctor. Simple.

 

[GodIsBeautiful]

This post is too much.

A doctor is anyone who went to get a doctorate degree at a graduate, higher education insitution. Whether it is pharmacy, medical, English, etc. I’ve seen people who have studied dead languages, and still get called doctor. I’m not sure why this conversation is open for pharmacist. At all. ChicPharmDee is right.

Whether you’re young or old, you believe what you want to believe about a profession. Great. But calling a young person a “dreamer” or something doesn’t change their opinion on anything. Since you’re so much older, get off of SDN. Either go in messages and settle it out, or keep quiet. Thank you.

 

[percyeye]

I mean, she did go get her doctorate, so... She should be called a doctor. Simple.

Well she's a student so she hasn't gotten anything yet. And lawyers get a Doctorate during law school (J.D.). Yet I've never heard one been called Doctor or demanded to be called Doctor.

It's not that she got a Doctorate, it's that she is demanding that she be called Doctor while she is dispensing Viagra at Wal-Mart confusing the patient and annoying her co-workers wasting time lecturing the 3rd person of the day while they are getting backed up with work.

 

[mentos]

I think I'm starting to spot a future Pharmacist who will get upset when the patient doesn't address them as Doctor when they stop by to pick up their meds at Walgreens....That'll be pleasant for everyone.

Customer: I'm here to pick up my script.
Pharmacist: Hi I'm Dr. ChicPharmDee.
Customer: I thought you were a pharmacist?
Pharmacist: I am a Doctorate and you will address me as Doctor cause I worked hard!
Customer: Ok Doctor can I have my script?
Pharmacist: Actually there was a problem with it, the doctor wrote it wrong and we are waiting for him to correct it.
Customer: Can't you fix it?
Pharmacist: No, in order for the prescription to be changed, the doctor must do it.
Customer: You just said you were a doctor.
Pharmacist: That's right and you will address me as Doctor!
Customer: Why can't you fix it then Doctor?
Pharmacist: I just told you, the Doctor has to fix it!
Customer: I'm calling corporate.

 

[Lubeckd]

Well she's a student so she hasn't gotten anything yet. And lawyers get a Doctorate during law school (J.D.). Yet I've never heard one been called Doctor or demanded to be called Doctor.

It's not that she got a Doctorate, it's that she is demanding that she be called Doctor while she is dispensing Viagra at Wal-Mart confusing the patient and annoying her co-workers wasting time lecturing the 3rd person of the day while they are getting backed up with

i gave up already Lol. It's on again. I'm just going to sit on my seats and grab a drink

 

[percyeye]

i gave up already Lol. It's on again. I'm just going to sit on my seats and grab a drink

I know. They will learn when they get out into the working world but sometimes it is hard not to respond.

 

[Lubeckd]

I know. They will learn when they get out into the working world but sometimes it is hard not to respond.

Its like warning kids not to grow up too soon and be a adult, once they become adults, they want to be kids again. Dont blame her, just misguided
they believe in that one thing so much its impossible to change thier minds. I allow people to make their own mistakes lol

 

[GodIsBeautiful]

This is real funny, because that’s really not it. Everyone has their own opinion!

If someone wants to be called Dr, since they did graduate from a Doctor of Pharmacy program, they can... That’s it. Y’all took it out of proportion.

 

[Allosteopath]

I think you should just say that your name is Pharmacist <insert last name here>.

 

[olabrador23]

This whole thing about the PharmD is a doctorate is really fascinating to me. To me, a doctorate degree means that a degree awarded to a person who went and successfully obtained / finished an educational program that stressed / included research and thesis defense as the requirements for the degree. This would be certainly at a higher level than just taking / learning new facts and regurgitating them.

To that, I think a PhD is qualified as a doctorate. An MD is also qualified as MD programs require some sorts of research and thesis defense for the MD degree.

A PharmD in the old day (of the 80's and 90's) would be qualified as a doctorate as it did require research and thesis defense (Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) · USC School of Pharmacy). The current PharmD curriculum and requirements for the degrees, from what I see, do not include any research or thesis defense as the degree's requirement. Most is like the BS Pharm degree of the old time but stretches out to 4 years by adding / taking some more classes and doing more presentations. IMHO it is more like a non-thesis Master degree than a doctorate.

The reason, I think, we see PharmD is the degree mandated for pharmacy practice is probably the result from people's desire for becoming a "doctor" and working as a "doctor" without going to medical schools (note that it is hard to get in med school and it takes a long time to become a MD) and school's greed and also some fantasies that dreamed up by some at top of the pharmacy's leadership (echoed and supported by pharm schools). The whole thing is really an artificial inflation of the required Pharmacy degree for practicing as a pharmacist.

In fact, one question I keep asking myself is that, if there is anything that, as a practicing pharmacist, that a BS Pharm cannot do vs a PharmD degree produced from the current PharmD curriculum?

Per my observation, this inflation has also happened to many other professions, e.g. dentistry, optometry, nursing, physician therapy, etc. I think, this benefits no one except schools as students have to spend more and more tuition and time in school.

Yes, if you earned a doctorate, you should be proud and earned the right to be called a doctor BUT in appropriate conditions / places. For the most part, society mostly identifies and associates the word "doctor" with one being a medical doctor. So I think, we should let the other person decides if they want to call you a doctor or not, and not demand to be called as one. For example, even a real PhD or MD, from what I see out there, does not walk around and demand people to call them a "doctor" and get upset if people fail to comply.

Again, the current PharmD degree, to me, is not really a doctorate since it lacks research and thesis defense requirements for the degree. A "fake" doctor degree, if you will, which happens as the result of school's greed and people's vanity. I guess this is probably the opinions of many too because I see many pharmacists would avoid calling themselves "doctor". Because they do know what currently is required for the degree.

Dang, I have just realized I am writing a novel here! So sorry


TLDR ::: even if you are a doctorate, please do not demand people to call you "doctor". The current PharmD that is required for the current practice of pharmacy is not a real doctorate imho.

 

[ChicPharmDee]

This is real funny, because that’s really not it. Everyone has their own opinion!

If someone wants to be called Dr, since they did graduate from a Doctor of Pharmacy program, they can... That’s it. Y’all took it out of proportion.

That’s what they don’t understand. But it’s okay, opinions cannot be changed.

 

[Lubeckd]

This whole thing about the PharmD is a doctorate is really fascinating to me. To me, a doctorate degree means that a degree awarded to a person who went and successfully obtained / finished an educational program that stressed / included research and thesis defense as the requirements for the degree. This would be certainly at a higher level than just taking / learning new facts and regurgitating them.

To that, I think a PhD is qualified as a doctorate. An MD is also qualified as MD programs require some sorts of research and thesis defense for the MD degree.

A PharmD in the old day (of the 80's and 90's) would be qualified as a doctorate as it did require research and thesis defense (Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) · USC School of Pharmacy). The current PharmD curriculum and requirements for the degrees, from what I see, do not include any research or thesis defense as the degree's requirement. Most is like the BS Pharm degree of the old time but stretches out to 4 years by adding / taking some more classes and doing more presentations. IMHO it is more like a non-thesis Master degree than a doctorate.

The reason, I think, we see PharmD is the degree mandated for pharmacy practice is probably the result from people's desire for becoming a "doctor" and working as a "doctor" without going to medical schools (note that it is hard to get in med school and it takes a long time to become a MD) and school's greed and also some fantasies that dreamed up by some at top of the pharmacy's leadership (echoed and supported by pharm schools). The whole thing is really an artificial inflation of the required Pharmacy degree for practicing as a pharmacist.

In fact, one question I keep asking myself is that, if there is anything that, as a practicing pharmacist, that a BS Pharm cannot do vs a PharmD degree produced from the current PharmD curriculum?

Per my observation, this inflation has also happened to many other professions, e.g. dentistry, optometry, nursing, physician therapy, etc. I think, this benefits no one except schools as students have to spend more and more tuition and time in school.

Yes, if you earned a doctorate, you should be proud and earned the right to be called a doctor BUT in appropriate conditions / places. For the most part, society mostly identifies and associates the word "doctor" with one being a medical doctor. So I think, we should let the other person decides if they want to call you a doctor or not, and not demand to be called as one. For example, even a real PhD or MD, from what I see out there, does not walk around and demand people to call them a "doctor" and get upset if people fail to comply.

Again, the current PharmD degree, to me, is not really a doctorate since it lacks research and thesis defense requirements for the degree. A "fake" doctor degree, if you will, which happens as the result of school's greed and people's vanity. I guess this is probably the opinions of many too because I see many pharmacists would avoid calling themselves "doctor". Because they do know what currently is required for the degree.

Dang, I have just realized I am writing a novel here! So sorry


TLDR ::: even if you are a doctorate, please do not demand people to call you "doctor". The current PharmD that is required for the current practice of pharmacy is not a real doctorate imho.

lol honestly I really don't care if it is doctorate or not. I just want get to work, does it provide me work? Then it's good. Tech and finance is out there making names and they are not doctors. I mean it's a doctorate degree to me. I just won't call myself a doctor. I'm pretty proud to earn a doctorate. I respect my doctor friends too much to call myself a doctor. It would be disrespectful. My school curriculum was rough, so yeah I'm pretty proud lol

 

[Lubeckd]

It's funny too cause I know math phds around and they just wanna teach but sold their soul to industry. Very humble people. I think everyone who earns a doctorate is impressive, but I won't call them a doctor lol. Oh maybe we may need doctors for CDtm or like pa a way to practice medicine together. Calling them doctors will destroy patient care and relations

we need collaboration not burn bridges

 

[siliso]

My husband always jokes that he’s been a doctor longer than I have, when he’s giving me medical advice or rejecting mine. JD, but who’s counting.

 

[PharmtoCS]

Pharmacy school application fees: $500

Pharmacy school tuition: $200,000

Living costs: $60,000

Student loan interest: $10,000/year

Being an unemployed doctor sitting at home going nowhere in life: priceless

 

[Lubeckd]

I think this thread made pharmacy the laughing stock of this forum now... especially when other forum professionals are commenting now

 

[DagS132]

put some respec on my name! This meme is what this thread is about

 

[olabrador23]

lol honestly I really don't care if it is doctorate or not. I just want get to work, does it provide me work? Then it's good. Tech and finance is out there making names and they are not doctors. I mean it's a doctorate degree to me. I just won't call myself a doctor. I'm pretty proud to earn a doctorate. I respect my doctor friends too much to call myself a doctor. It would be disrespectful. My school curriculum was rough, so yeah I'm pretty proud lol

I see the same way. The thing is, I think, schools have made this degree a doctorate because it is good money for THEM and there are still many people who want to be doctors and pay for it. So it is good business

 

[Lubeckd]

I see the same way. The thing is, I think, schools have made this degree a doctorate because it is good money for THEM and a lot of people also want to be doctors and pay for it. So it is good business

so marketting

 

[BC_89]

This post is too much.

A doctor is anyone who went to get a doctorate degree at a graduate, higher education insitution. Whether it is pharmacy, medical, English, etc. I’ve seen people who have studied dead languages, and still get called doctor. I’m not sure why this conversation is open for pharmacist. At all. ChicPharmDee is right.

Whether you’re young or old, you believe what you want to believe about a profession. Great. But calling a young person a “dreamer” or something doesn’t change their opinion on anything. Since you’re so much older, get off of SDN. Either go in messages and settle it out, or keep quiet. Thank you.

I believe the consensus now is not whether a pharmacist is a doctor or not (as said many times they are indeed a doctorate holder). It is the fact that someone would correct a patient if they don't address you as doctor (as was the opinion earlier on here). I believe this was the trigger point followed by being keyboard warriors on here and typing "down" to people.

What was fruitful on here turned entertainment - now turned obnoxious and petty. Both of the student and professional base

 

[siliso]

I was thinking on this more and realized I don’t expect anyone to call me doctor or really think of me as Doctor except my patients and maybe their families, my students, and some other people I interact with in my professional work as a doctor. My kids’ teachers, my pastor, my family/friends, my own doctor...I am “a doctor” but I’m not their doctor so I don’t expect to be addressed as such. I’m also a lot of other things but I don’t expect other people to call me, say, Mom. That would be weird.

 

[DagS132]

just a quick side note, when i go to the pharmacy i dont ask for the "doctor". I ask for the pharmacist. Then i address the pharmacist by first name.

 

[rxkrafted]

And I will happily be correcting the people who refuse to call me by the title I worked so hard to obtain.

LOL. You have some serious ego issues. Make sure to correct every single person okay? Assuming you even find a job by the time you graduate, let us know when you run into someone who calls you Dr. the first time they encounter you at work.

 

[Shotapp]

This is real funny, because that’s really not it. Everyone has their own opinion!

If someone wants to be called Dr, since they did graduate from a Doctor of Pharmacy program, they can... That’s it. Y’all took it out of proportion.

That’s what they don’t understand. But it’s okay, opinions cannot be changed.

If being called doctor is so important to you, why aren't you pursuing medical school?

You can't force a customer to call you a doctor lol.

But you can address yourself as I am Dr. ChicPharmDee, your pharmacist. Thus usage is context critical.

 

[allantois]

I see pharm schools started taking in some lunatics these days

 

[Lubeckd]

I see pharm schools started taking in some lunatics these days

Sorry about my school...

 

[Lubeckd]

But I'm glad she got in as africian American. We need more representation. We had the best of Africans and carribeans in our place.

 

[ChicPharmDee]

LOL. You have some serious ego issues. Make sure to correct every single person okay? Assuming you even find a job by the time you graduate, let us know when you run into someone who calls you Dr. the first time they encounter you at work.

Thank you for the comment. Like Beyoncé said, I got a [semi]-big ego and I'm happy with it. I'll even correct you along the way since you want me to so bad. Sheesh.

 

[ChicPharmDee]

If being called doctor is so important to you, why aren't you pursuing medical school?

You can't force a customer to call you a doctor lol.

But you can address yourself as I am Dr. ChicPharmDee, your pharmacist. Thus usage is context critical.

Because I don't plan on becoming a medical doctor?

I won't force someone to do so, but will be keen on correcting the people who try to completely erase the title from my name. Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Nursing... We're all doctors of something. The point of the story is that I am still able to call myself a doctor and will still be considered right in doing so. I said what I said and people got upset. That's on them.

 

[Sine Cura]

Not planning to be an MD is like claiming not to get into pharmacy for the money disproportionate to the amt of effort required to get a PharmD (or at least that still applied 1998-2011 RIP; peace to my South African homies in western Arizona still slugging it out)

Or are people gonna use the I dOn'T lIkE bLoOd ExCuSe

 

[APN-59 rph]

I can't give the "blood" excuse since I rode an ambulance for some time...but here's one.....I had to leave a tad early today ( like 10 minutes) and a tech snarled at me and said "we are too busy..you have to stay for that 10 minutes" NOW.. does that sound like an MD to you?

 

[mentos]

I can't give the "blood" excuse since I rode an ambulance for some time...but here's one.....I had to leave a tad early today ( like 10 minutes) and a tech snarled at me and said "we are too busy..you have to stay for that 10 minutes" NOW.. does that sound like an MD to you?

LoL imagine making the techs call you Doctor... See how fast they will stop helping you.

 

[APN-59 rph]

LoL imagine making the techs call you Doctor... See how fast they will stop helping you.

THAT actually may become a problem.....finding techs who will put up with the hassle..the pace..the low pay..the customers...dirt bag managers....more and more I hear of techs just failing to show up.....A glut of druggists...with a shortage of techs....

 

[rxkrafted]

Thank you for the comment. Like Beyoncé said, I got a [semi]-big ego and I'm happy with it. I'll even correct you along the way since you want me to so bad. Sheesh.

You're gonna have a hard time working kid if you ever find a job. I have no problem with people calling you Doctor but you shouldn't "correct" them to call you that... I can already see many people disliking you from your attitude at work and you're gonna learn the hard way when you start burning those bridges. I GUARANTEEE you... Grow up

 

[ChicPharmDee]

You're gonna have a hard time working kid if you ever find a job. I have no problem with people calling you Doctor but you shouldn't "correct" them to call you that... I can already see many people disliking you from your attitude at work and you're gonna learn the hard way when you start burning those bridges. I GUARANTEEE you... Grow up

Imagine not being able to handle both sarcasm and a simple opinion/preference... Lol. After you, hun.

 

[DagS132]

Imagine not being able to handle both sarcasm and a simple opinion/preference... Lol. After you, hun.

Let me understand this clearly so I don't get mixed up. You want everyone else around you to deal with your opinions/preferences but you don't want to deal with everyone else's opinions/preferences? Although some people are being very disrespectful, there are others that are simply just telling you what they think (opinion) what may happen to you and trying to put some different perspective onto you. Correct me here because I may be misunderstanding this whole situation.

 

[ChicPharmDee]

Let me understand this clearly so I don't get mixed up. You want everyone else around you to deal with your opinions/preferences but you don't want to deal with everyone else's opinions/preferences? Although some people are being very disrespectful, there are others that are simply just telling you what they think (opinion) what may happen to you and trying to put some different perspective onto you. Correct me here because I may be misunderstanding this whole situation.

If you read up on the thread, people were quick to put down my opinion... So I will keep defending it and will be keen in responding with the same attitudes I'm given.

This thread was about if PharmD was still considered a doctor. I simply replied with a differing view (which was not a wrong one), then everyone and their entire neighborhood came to bombard me about their loans, unemployment and unfortunate mishaps as if I asked for it and as if those problems don't exist in other fields of healthcare. If I see a response to my specific post to this thread, I'll just simply keep replying. Lmao.

 

[rxkrafted]

Anyways, I have all day to respond to this thread! :}


If you read up on the thread, people were quick to put down my opinion... So I will keep defending it and will be keen in responding with the same attitudes I'm given.

This thread was about if PharmD was still considered a doctor. I simply replied with a differing view (which was not a wrong one), then everyone and their entire neighborhood came to bombard me about their loans, unemployment and unfortunate mishaps as if I asked for it and as if those problems don't exist in other fields of healthcare. If I see a response to my specific post to this thread, I'll just simply keep replying. Lmao.

Its not your opinion that triggered me, its your egotistic attitude. If you don't see anything wrong with what you said, you have some problems. Good luck making relationships in the real world.

And I will happily be correcting the people who refuse to call me by the title I worked so hard to obtain.

 

[ChicPharmDee]

Its not your opinion that triggered me, its your egotistic attitude. If you don't see anything wrong with what you said, you have some problems. Good luck making relationships in the real world.

And if you see something wrong with what I said, you have some problems of your own. Thank you, @rxkrafted!

 

[Lubeckd]

NYC is brutal bro...
I really don't know how she is in class lol. It's a good thing people are nice there

 

[ChicPharmDee]

@Lubeckd Don't you have me "blocked"? I'm confused as to how you're still able to see what I'm saying. My position on this has nothing to do with my intellect. You keep coming out with all these weird personal assumptions and statements... Nevertheless, if you can still see this, which you probably can, I literally have no bad feelings against you.

To all still following this thread—Sorry for the notifications.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

 

[siliso]

It happened again: a person checked into my clinic writing Doctor Firstname Lastname on the intake form. PhD in, family counseling. From where do you even get that, the University of Online Studies Ok Doc, what can I do for ya. 0% physicians still.

 

[Nguyen]

Yes, I am a proud owner of the "Doctor of Pharmacy" diploma but never call me a Doctor. I am a Pharmacist.

 

[DagS132]

It happened again: a person checked into my clinic writing Doctor Firstname Lastname on the intake form. PhD in, family counseling. From where do you even get that, the University of Online Studies Ok Doc, what can I do for ya. 0% physicians still.

I think I saw on Hell's Kitchen some guy demanding to get better service because he has a doctorate in music theory. But as some people in this thread have said, they worked hard for it so they should all be called doctors.

 

[JustFillIt]

Haha - how did I miss this thread. This one is gold... this thread has all the goodies packed inside! The dr. Question, wage, ego, drama, drama, etc..

Alright children - all you students who project concepts based on a fleeting thought. Until you get run over by the retail steam roller and you get a healthy dose of the public perception..... please.... just sit down and listen.

I’m the real deal - straight up raw, Rx stack crushing, crowd pleasing, no holds bard pharmacist. I straight up rolled an 18 on my charisma and I never fail an intimidation check. I never leave grandma smith unsatisfied when she steps up to my counter and wants a council! I’m the straight up Ghaston of pharmacy. And if you don’t know who Ghaston is, shame on you!

With that being said - do I want people to call me doctor? Hell no! That’s for nerds and sissies. Do I wear a white coat when I’m on duty? Puuuleeezz, then my pecs wouldn’t burst through my muscle shirt. People call me by my name cuz that’s the name my momma wants people to call me. And I love my momma..

Now get out of the way with all this doctor business.

Damn... I should have been born Ric Flair..

 

[sozetone]

The replies to this thread are so funny... Because when spelled out, PharmD is called the Doctor of Pharmacy. It is a doctorate level degree. People choose not to read the first word because they're disrespectful and want hierarchy.

Now, this does not apply in the same context as a Doctor of Education or a Doctor of Philosophy because those professionals have zero training in healthcare. They most definitely will not be the kind of doctor to save a life on a plane as someone under this thread tried to used as an example.

To all the negative folk on here that are so strung out on the PharmD title, get a life. These are the same bitter people that are on other posts, discouraging others and spreading negativity about Pharmacy. #WeGood.

Sure you can be called DR. like these guys........

Doctor......Doctor......Doctor....Doctor.....

 

[JustFillIt]

Sure you can be called DR. like these guys........

View attachment 281145

Doctor......Doctor......Doctor....Doctor.....

Lol she’s got an awful lot of passion, and opinion, for someone who is not a pharmacist...