really annoyed after 2nd day of school

[pharmasaur]

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We're still in the whole introduction mode of class and one of our professors today told us that we basically should introduce ourselves as Doctors to everyone including patients, because we've earned doctorates and this and that. He said there's a whole lot of other doctorate programs now such as PT, OT, Nursing, etc...and we've all earned the right to be called Dr. This really pissed me off because I think Dr. should be limited to physicians OR PhDs in academic/research settings. He said the MD's are not happy about their doctor title being thrown around but they need to realize that we're doctors too. I was just so mad because this leads to confusion for patients just so we can feel good about our degrees 😡 just had to vent.

 

[cycloketocaine]

We're still in the whole introduction mode of class and one of our professors today told us that we basically should introduce ourselves as Doctors to everyone including patients, because we've earned doctorates and this and that. He said there's a whole lot of other doctorate programs now such as PT, OT, Nursing, etc...and we've all earned the right to be called Dr. This really pissed me off because I think Dr. should be limited to physicians OR PhDs in academic/research settings. He said the MD's are not happy about their doctor title being thrown around but they need to realize that we're doctors too. I was just so mad because this leads to confusion for patients just so we can feel good about our degrees 😡 just had to vent.

Oh lord. Not this chit again.

 

[Its Z]

Who's your prof? Let me biatch slap him silly....

 

[atpsynthase]

My advice would be:

Get over it, sunshine.

You should have bigger things to worry about.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

We're still in the whole introduction mode of class and one of our professors today told us that we basically should introduce ourselves as Doctors to everyone including patients, because we've earned doctorates and this and that. He said there's a whole lot of other doctorate programs now such as PT, OT, Nursing, etc...and we've all earned the right to be called Dr. This really pissed me off because I think Dr. should be limited to physicians OR PhDs in academic/research settings. He said the MD's are not happy about their doctor title being thrown around but they need to realize that we're doctors too. I was just so mad because this leads to confusion for patients just so we can feel good about our degrees 😡 just had to vent.

If you don't want to call yourself doctor, don't.

But the patient confusion issue is a non-issue. Patients are confused, period. If a female neurosurgeon and a male janitor walk into a room together, 9/10 patients will call the janitor "Doctor" and call the neurosurgeon "Nurse."

 

[FarMD2012]

People think what they want to think. But ultimately when you start to practice its up to you. I would have to disagree with All4mydaughter, it is definitely confusing for patients if everybody in the hospital walking around addressing themselves as Dr. Patients are already confused, so why add on to the confusion just to fill ones ego? Know your setting and your audience. If you are in a pharmacy, or with a student in a hospital, or in a research lab, I think its fine that you address yourself as Dr.X. But it would be obnoxious to boast your doctorate degree and tell others you are a doctor in other public settings.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

People think what they want to think. But ultimately when you start to practice its up to you. I would have to disagree with All4mydaughter, it is definitely confusing for patients if everybody in the hospital walking around addressing themselves as Dr. Patients are already confused, so why add on to the confusion just to fill ones ego? Know your setting and your audience. If you are in a pharmacy, or with a student in a hospital, or in a research lab, I think its fine that you address yourself as Dr.X. But it would be obnoxious to boast your doctorate degree and tell others you are a doctor in other public settings.

LOL at people calling themselves "Doctor" anything in a pharmacy. I'm telling you, the proliferation of doctoral degrees is NOT to blame for patient confusion in a hospital setting.

PS: I don't know too many pharmacists who use the title outside of academic/teaching settings anyway. Like I said, non-issue.

 

[FarMD2012]

LOL at people calling themselves "Doctor" anything in a pharmacy. I'm telling you, the proliferation of doctoral degrees is NOT to blame for patient confusion in a hospital setting.

PS: I don't know too many pharmacists who use the title outside of academic/teaching settings anyway. Like I said, non-issue.

I personally would not address myself as Dr.X period regardless what the setting. But some people need to fill their egos. What can you do? I once heard a Rph say "this is Dr.X from X pharmacy.' I am not sure if they know how ridiculous it sounds.

I'm not saying all the doctoral degrees is to blame for patient confusion. Like you said, they are already confused. But why take 2 minutes to address yourself as dr, then explain that you are not their physician? Obnoxious.

 

[Baka]

Does your prof's last name rhymes with toad? lol

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I personally would not address myself as Dr.X period regardless what the setting. But some people need to fill their egos. What can you do? I once heard a Rph say "this is Dr.X from X pharmacy.' I am not sure if they know how ridiculous it sounds.

I'm not saying all the doctoral degrees is to blame for patient confusion. Like you said, they are already confused. But why take 2 minutes to address yourself as dr, then explain that you are not their physician? Obnoxious.

Well, for one thing, anyone giving care to a patient in a hospital needs to explain their role, regardless of how they address themselves. ALWAYS.

"Hi I'm Dr. Smith and I'm your endocrinologist."

"Hi, I'm Molly and I'm from the lab. I'll be drawing your blood."

"Hi, I'm Steve and I'm an occupational therapist."

See how that works? If people explain WHY they are there and WHAT they are going to do to the patient, that goes a whole lot further to address the "confusion" issue than getting all hot and bothered about who is a "doctor" and who isn't.


So, are you saying you will NEVER use the "Doctor" title? I doubt that, assuming you get in and make it through medical school and residency, I bet you do. Or maybe you are just saying you'd never call yourself "doctor" as a pharmacist and that it sounds ridiculous for pharmacists to do so, in any context?

 

[pharmasaur]

Does your prof's last name rhymes with toad? lol

LOL yes are you in my class?

I think my professor's point/intention was to increase public awareness/generate good PR for pharmacists but showing off that we have doctorate degrees isn't gonna do that.

 

[FarMD2012]

Well, for one thing, anyone giving care to a patient in a hospital needs to explain their role, regardless of how they address themselves. ALWAYS.

"Hi I'm Dr. Smith and I'm your endocrinologist."

"Hi, I'm Molly and I'm from the lab. I'll be drawing your blood."

"Hi, I'm Steve and I'm an occupational therapist."

See how that works? If people explain WHY they are there and WHAT they are going to do to the patient, that goes a whole lot further to address the "confusion" issue than getting all hot and bothered about who is a "doctor" and who isn't.


So, are you saying you will NEVER use the "Doctor" title? I doubt that, assuming you get in and make it through medical school and residency, I bet you do. Or maybe you are just saying you'd never call yourself "doctor" as a pharmacist and that it sounds ridiculous for pharmacists to do so, in any context?

The problem is that you assume everybody will do a good job explaining what they do after addressing themselves as Dr.X. I've seen some pharmacist preceptors say "I'm Dr.X, and I will be managing your medications." Or in that case it could be any profession (PT, DNP). Since you say patients are confused no matter what, do you honestly think every explanation will allow them to differentiate between the professions? In fact, one patient proceed to ask about diagnosis and treatment, then the preceptor proceed to explain she is the pharmacist. Don't mistake me for disparaging the profession, because I am not. I am just saying ego should be secondary, and some people do not understand when and how to address themselves.

Maybe I was being vague, but I am saying that I will never tell my patients I'm Dr.X as a pharmacist. I will just say I'm Mike, Joe etc, and I am your pharmacist. More personal, less confusion. While I'm saying it sounds ridiculous in a retail setting, I am not saying it is ridiculous for all settings. Like I said in my previous post, in research or academic setting it is most common and justified (no confusion for patients). Sometimes in retail pharmacy, rph call themselves "doctor", but probably will not cause confusion since it is in a pharmacy and people know you are a pharmacist. But you are right, if I go through with med school and residency, I will address myself as doctor.

And honestly, promoting the profession is one thing, but by telling every person you see you are Doctor.X is not going to do that. Because people get confused and don't know who you are, especially in the hospital where everybody is walking around with a white coat and calling themselves doctors.

 

[pharmasaur]

I'd have to agree with the above post, a couple of our professors told us that often times they have to stop the patient talking about their problems and tell them they are not qualified to diagnose them lol

 

[All4MyDaughter]

The problem is that you assume everybody will do a good job explaining what they do after addressing themselves as Dr.X. I've seen some pharmacist preceptors say "I'm Dr.X, and I will be managing your medications." Since you say patients are confused, do you honestly think every explanation will allow them to differentiate between the professions? In fact, one patient proceed to ask about diagnosis and treatment, then the preceptor proceed to explain she is the pharmacist. Don't mistake me for disparaging the profession, because I am not. I am just saying ego should be secondary, and some people do not understand when and how to address themselves.

It sounds to me like the preceptor's behavior was totally appropriate. She clarified and explained her role to the patient. I mean, really. OMG!?!? A patient asked a pharmacist diagnosis and treatment questions. That's awful. It MUST have been because the pharmacist introduced herself as Dr. X. Because patients never ask treatment questions of the nurse, the chaplain, the phlebotomist, the dietician, etc. 🙄

Now, if the pharmacist had taken the opportunity to try to do a rectal exam, or had attempted beside surgery, that would worry me.

Maybe I was being vague, but I am saying that I will never tell my patients I'm Dr.X as a pharmacist. I will just say I'm Mike, Joe etc, and I am your pharmacist. More personal, less confusion. While I'm saying it sounds ridiculous in a retail setting, I am not saying it is ridiculous for all settings. Like I said in my previous post, in research or academic setting is most common and justified (no confusion for patients). Sometimes in retail pharmacy, rph call themselves "doctor", but probably will not cause confusion since it is in a pharmacy and people know you are a pharmacist. But you are right, if I go through with med school and residency, I will address myself as doctor.

Maybe it's a regional thing, but I don't know ANY retail or community RPHs who call themselves doctor. Zero. I know one pharmacy professor who moonlights for CVS and tried to make the techs call him "Dr. Dummy" but they didn't go for it. Now that's an ego thing, but there are *******s in every profession.

I'd have to agree with the above post, a couple of our professors told us that often times they have to stop the patient talking about their problems and tell them they are not qualified to diagnose them lol

That happens to everyone, not just pharmacists. It has to do with patients being in an unfamiliar setting, and often scared and not understanding who everyone is and who they should ask questions of and who they shouldn't. It absolutely sucks to be a patient in a hospital. I am highly educated but after five hours in the ED with my son the other night, even I was confused about who his physician was and who was in charge.

 

[FarMD2012]

That happens to everyone, not just pharmacists. It has to do with patients being in an unfamiliar setting, and often scared and not understanding who everyone is and who they should ask questions of and who they shouldn't. It absolutely sucks to be a patient in a hospital. I am highly educated but after five hours in the ED with my son the other night, even I was confused about who his physician was and who was in charge.

Now that is exactly my point. Even you and me will get confused who is who. That is why I am saying it is unnecessary for some people to address themselves as doctor to fill their ego when they are not a physician. I'm not saying that its awful that they asked you a diagnosis or treatment question. I am saying that if people did not call themselves doctors, patients would not have asked you the question to begin with and perhaps not feel embarrassed about the confusion when you are the one who caused the confusion in the first place.

Now let me ask you, you just finished your residency in the hospital and work part time in an independent, are you going to say to your patients you are Dr.All4mydaughter, or will you just leave out the "dr" and address yourself by your first name?

 

[pharmasaur]

I just find it funny/sad that people are trying to get a piece of the Doctor pie somehow. If these people really want to be called Doctor why don't they go to med school. All these schools making so much money selling Doctor of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Physical Therapy and moms and dads are proud that their son/daughter has a doctor title. It's kind of like how every kid in the soccer team gets a medal these days lol, everyone gets the Dr. title. I understand the issue that pharmacists earn the doctorate degree....but in most people's minds doctor = physician, not person who owns a doctorate degree. Most patients don't even know what a doctorate is! I had to explain to someone what a PhD was a few days ago.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Now that is exactly my point. Even you and me will get confused who is who. That is why I am saying it is unnecessary for some people to address themselves as doctor to fill their ego when they are not a physician.

1. I don't think it happens that often. On the rare occasion that it happens I think it has very minor (if any) impact on patient care.

2. I don't think the title issue is the major source of confusion. Going a step further, I think that patients would be confused even if we banned everyone but physicians from using the "doctor" title.

That's why I think this is a non-issue. Patient confusion and discomfort in a hospital setting is a real issue, but obsessing about pharmacists calling themselves "doctor" really does very little to address the problem.

The "oh it's CONFUSING! it's BAD for PATIENTS" approach (IMO) is just an excuse people use when they are too polite/afraid to just come out say "Only PHYSICIANS are entitled to call themselves Doctor." If that's what you think, own it. But know that it's complete BS and physicians have never owned that title (in fact, they stole it from other professions...).

 

[pharmasaur]

1. I don't think it happens that often. On the rare occasion that it happens I think it has very minor (if any) impact on patient care.

2. I don't think the title issue is the major source of confusion. Going a step further, I think that patients would be confused even if we banned everyone but physicians from using the "doctor" title.

That's why I think this is a non-issue. Patient confusion and discomfort in a hospital setting is a real issue, but obsessing about pharmacists calling themselves "doctor" really does very little to address the problem.

The "oh it's CONFUSING! it's BAD for PATIENTS" approach (IMO) is just an excuse people use when they are too polite/afraid to just come out say "Only PHYSICIANS are entitled to call themselves Doctor." If that's what you think, own it. But know that it's complete BS and physicians have never owned that title (in fact, they stole it from other professions...).

Yeah you convinced me that maybe it doesn't confuse patients as much as I thought. But, I still don't agree with telling Day 2 students that they can go out to the world and call themselves Doctors lol I can just imagine all these kids walking into their internships Day 1 and acting like they're god's gift to pharmacy

 

[All4MyDaughter]

. I'm not saying that its awful that they asked you a diagnosis or treatment question. I am saying that if people did not call themselves doctors, patients would not have asked you the question to begin with and perhaps not feel embarrassed about the confusion when you are the one who caused the confusion in the first place.

You're wrong. People ask diagnosis and treatment questions of the wrong people all the time. They ask their nurse. They ask the people from the lab. They ask the chaplain. They ask custodians (if they are male and wear white coats, anyway). It has nothing to do with title.

Also, I've never worked as a hospital pharmacist, so I'm not sure why you're saying that *I* caused any sort of confusion. I was referring the anecdote where a patient asked YOUR preceptor a diagnosis and treatment question.

Now let me ask you, you just finished your residency in the hospital and work part time in an independent, are you going to say to your patients you are Dr.All4mydaughter, or will you just leave out the "dr" and address yourself by your first name?

I already told you that I don't know any community RPHs that use the doctor title. That would include me. I'm not sure how you got the opposite impression.

Also, I didn't do a hospital residency. I believe you have me confused with someone else.

I only use the title Dr. A4MD in one context: my teaching position. It is expected and appropriate for me to do so in that setting. I work with many different colleagues with different doctorates: PharmD, PhD, DNP, etc and everyone is "Dr. Smith" in the classroom. I'm not sure how they handle it in clinical settings, because I'm not involved with that.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Yeah you convinced me that maybe it doesn't confuse patients as much as I thought. But, I still don't agree with telling Day 2 students that they can go out to the world and call themselves Doctors lol I can just imagine all these kids walking into their internships Day 1 and acting like they're god's gift to pharmacy

You gotta learn to tune that BS stuff out. Pharmacy school (and academics in general) is full of it. I had professors who tried to fill us full of BS like, "YOU are the drug therapy experts. YOU know SO MUCH more than physicians." While that might be true in some ways, that doesn't mean that you should walk into your oncology rotation and tell the board certified MD/DO oncologist what to do. Trust me, that specialist knows his stuff backwards and forwards. In fact, no student should start off any rotation/internship by being cocky and assuming they are hot ****. It's stupid and they will get slapped down right quick!

 

[confettiflyer]

Site specific. Professor's "authority" does not extend to actual real-life practice. Feel free to ignore it when you walk out of the halls of your school.

It's like turning 18 and moving out of the house...you can have as much sex as you want, contrary to what your parents might say.

 

[FarMD2012]

1. I don't think it happens that often. On the rare occasion that it happens I think it has very minor (if any) impact on patient care.

2. I don't think the title issue is the major source of confusion. Going a step further, I think that patients would be confused even if we banned everyone but physicians from using the "doctor" title.

That's why I think this is a non-issue. Patient confusion and discomfort in a hospital setting is a real issue, but obsessing about pharmacists calling themselves "doctor" really does very little to address the problem.

The "oh it's CONFUSING! it's BAD for PATIENTS" approach (IMO) is just an excuse people use when they are too polite/afraid to just come out say "Only PHYSICIANS are entitled to call themselves Doctor." If that's what you think, own it. But know that it's complete BS and physicians have never owned that title (in fact, they stole it from other professions...).

I understand your reasoning. Point taken. But I have my opinions, and hope you respect mine. I am not saying its BAD for PATIENTS, I am saying its obnoxious to cause unnecessary confusion not matter how big or small of the deal just to fulfill somebody's ego. I am not arguing how deleterious it is, because its true, it is not a huge deal of confusion, but I think it is obnoxious and unnecessary. Plus, if somebody avoided addressing themselves as a doctor and just straight out said "I'm Mike, I am your physical therapist today" instead of "I'm Dr.X, and I will help you exercise today," the patient will be more clear on his role and not ask him about his fever. Unless the patient does not know what a physical therapist does, that's a different issue. I also think you misunderstood me, I am not saying the title is the only reason for patient's confusion in the hospital, but that it contributes to their confusion. And REALLY, people ask their custodians about their diagnosis? Now that is something I have never seen or heard.
I am not too polite/afraid to say "only physicians are entitled to call themselves doctors." Because my argument is not about physicians, but about people in certain professions who cannot let aside their ego and confuse patients with the doctor title. In fact, like I said, pharmacists in academia or research, or any PhD in their respective academic setting, and physicians are all entitled to be called "doctors".

 

[FarMD2012]

You're wrong. People ask diagnosis and treatment questions of the wrong people all the time. They ask their nurse. They ask the people from the lab. They ask the chaplain. They ask custodians (if they are male and wear white coats, anyway). It has nothing to do with title.

Also, I've never worked as a hospital pharmacist, so I'm not sure why you're saying that *I* caused any sort of confusion. I was referring the anecdote where a patient asked YOUR preceptor a diagnosis and treatment question.



I already told you that I don't know any community RPHs that use the doctor title. That would include me. I'm not sure how you got the opposite impression.

Also, I didn't do a hospital residency. I believe you have me confused with someone else.

I only use the title Dr. A4MD in one context: my teaching position. It is expected and appropriate for me to do so in that setting. I work with many different colleagues with different doctorates: PharmD, PhD, DNP, etc and everyone is "Dr. Smith" in the classroom. I'm not sure how they handle it in clinical settings, because I'm not involved with that.

Sorry the the confusion, I did not mean YOU caused the confusion. I'm speaking in general to people who address themselves as doctors when they are not physicians in the hospital. I also think that since people will already be confused in an unfamiliar setting, having people with huge egos addressing themselves as doctors will only contribute to their confusion. I mean how many healthcare professions are advancing to doctorate degrees? Everybody in the hospital will eventually be doctor of this, doctor of that. My only point is that it is unnecessary. That is it, I'm not talking about how much of an impact it causes.
Maybe it is a regional thing but I worked with retail pharmacists who says they are Dr.X when they call the doctors office or talking to patients. I thought I read you finished a residency, must have mistaken you, my apologies.

 

[rxlea]

:beer:

 

[Unchained]

The amount of times a pharmacist wants to be addressed as Dr is inversely related to the size of his weenie.

 

[mustang sally]

The amount of times a pharmacist wants to be addressed as Dr is inversely related to the size of his weenie.

Lol.

To the OP, this is just the tip of the ice berg of things that will annoy you in pharmacy school. Trust me, there are many more annoyances coming down the pike that you should save your energy for!

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Sorry the the confusion, I did not mean YOU caused the confusion. I'm speaking in general to people who address themselves as doctors when they are not physicians in the hospital. I also think that since people will already be confused in an unfamiliar setting, having people with huge egos addressing themselves as doctors will only contribute to their confusion. I mean how many healthcare professions are advancing to doctorate degrees? Everybody in the hospital will eventually be doctor of this, doctor of that. My only point is that it is unnecessary. That is it, I'm not talking about how much of an impact it causes.
Maybe it is a regional thing but I worked with retail pharmacists who says they are Dr.X when they call the doctors office or talking to patients. I thought I read you finished a residency, must have mistaken you, my apologies.

No, you just feel that only physicians have earned the right to be "doctor" in the hospital. That's cool. Just own up to it. Don't pretend it's about patient care. Maybe someday you will be able to call yourself "doctor" too. You can dream!

Truth is, most pharmacists don't care. I refuse to believe there is an epidemic of pharms running around hospitals pretending to be physicians or insisting upon being called doctor in Walgreens. I never hear pharmacists use the title outside of academic settings.

Also, I did do a residency. Just not the hospital kind. There are other types, as I'm sure you realize.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Lol.

To the OP, this is just the tip of the ice berg of things that will annoy you in pharmacy school. Trust me, there are many more annoyances coming down the pike that you should save your energy for!

Soooooo true. There will be many things over the years to be upset about. Although my perspective on some of those things has changed now that I am teaching. Shoe's on the other foot!

 

[bacillus1]

I think calling yourself "doctor" may be appropriate depending on the setting. I have seen some pharmacists tell patients "I'm Dr. ____ and I want to talk to you about your medications" when doing discharge counseling, and I think it gets the patient to pay more attention to you when you're counseling them. In fact, I have also started introducing myself as Dr. ___ when talking to inpatients at the hospital. I've heard the patients stop their phone conversations with the sentence "the doctor's here", so I think it's pretty effective. Otherwise, I agree it may be obnoxious in many other settings.

 

[297point1]

Can the OP clear something up for me? [please]

Was the instructor saying that you should introduce yourselves to patients as doctors NOW? That's a big leap for a PY-1 to make during their first week of pharmacy school...

 

[WVUPharm2007]

We should call ourselves "Doctor" precisely BECAUSE it leads to confusion. With pharmacists accidentally being called to do physical diagnosis, the error rate will only increase. (how this would actually happens eludes me, but other people claim horrible things will happen, so I'm running with it) As errors increase, there is more morbidity. And more morbidity leads to what? More healthcare spending. Which means more money for you and me in the long run.

Confusion, baby. That's the future of this profession. If we can't bill and get direct reimbursement ourselves, lets just do as much as we can to screw everything up and just let it trickle back down to us the old fashioned way.

 

[Momus]

We should call ourselves "Doctor" precisely BECAUSE it leads to confusion. With pharmacists accidentally being called to do physical diagnosis, the error rate will only increase. (how this would actually happens eludes me, but other people claim horrible things will happen, so I'm running with it) As errors increase, there is more morbidity. And more morbidity leads to what? More healthcare spending. Which means more money for you and me in the long run.

Confusion, baby. That's the future of this profession. If we can't bill and get direct reimbursement ourselves, lets just do as much as we can to screw everything up and just let it trickle back down to us the old fashioned way.

You probably get more money now but end up paying back even more later in the form of medicare taxes...

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I think calling yourself "doctor" may be appropriate depending on the setting. I have seen some pharmacists tell patients "I'm Dr. ____ and I want to talk to you about your medications" when doing discharge counseling, and I think it gets the patient to pay more attention to you when you're counseling them. In fact, I have also started introducing myself as Dr. ___ when talking to inpatients at the hospital. I've heard the patients stop their phone conversations with the sentence "the doctor's here", so I think it's pretty effective. Otherwise, I agree it may be obnoxious in many other settings.

Clearly this is about your ego and nothing more. Off with your head!

 

[Its Z]

I know this prof in question. I worked with him. He's a dork. Don't listen to him. And yes...someone biatch slap him silly.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

You probably get more money now but end up paying back even more later in the form of medicare taxes...

Whatever small percentage we'd pay in Medicare, we'd get back 20 fold. So that's fine.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

You probably get more money now but end up paying back even more later in the form of medicare taxes...

Eh? Medicare tax rate is flat.

Whatever small percentage we'd pay in Medicare, we'd get back 20 fold. So that's fine.

This.

 

[Momus]

Eh? Medicare tax rate is flat.

Talking about if everyone is lining their own pocket with their own economic interest, it will just drive up the cost of health care. Gov will just raise Medicare taxes down the road or make benefits eligible at later date.

But, you are right. You can probably collect crazy amount of FU money, much more than what you are paying into Medicare.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Talking about if everyone is lining their own pocket with their own economic interest, it will just drive up the cost of health care. Gov will just raise Medicare taxes down the road or make benefits eligible at later date.

But, you are right. You can probably collect crazy amount of FU money, much more than what you are paying into Medicare.

...or they could just remove the income cap entirely and it becomes totally funded again.

But that would simultaneously make sense AND solve the problem, so they won't do it.

 

[297point1]

...or they could just remove the income cap entirely and it becomes totally funded again.

But that would simultaneously make sense AND solve the problem, so they won't do it.

There is no income cap on Medicare- it is 1.45% on all income.

Social Security is the tax that gets capped- set for $110,100 in 2012. 🙂

 

[UES Girl]

We're still in the whole introduction mode of class and one of our professors today told us that we basically should introduce ourselves as Doctors to everyone including patients, because we've earned doctorates and this and that. He said there's a whole lot of other doctorate programs now such as PT, OT, Nursing, etc...and we've all earned the right to be called Dr. This really pissed me off because I think Dr. should be limited to physicians OR PhDs in academic/research settings. He said the MD's are not happy about their doctor title being thrown around but they need to realize that we're doctors too. I was just so mad because this leads to confusion for patients just so we can feel good about our degrees 😡 just had to vent.

Wait a minute, so you are annoyed because a prof who probably formed his POV after years and years of training and clinical work possibly in the hospital setting which I venture to say you have 0 of, seeing how you are a P1 and unfamiliar with how things actually are, has a different standpoint than you, who quite frankly will continue being a noob pretty much untill your fourth year, so you got 3+ years of noobness ahead of you and you are annoyed ? 🙄 Is this reality ?

P1s of 2 days should have no opinions when don't live in reality. There's been many and many times where in my short time on service ( half way done with last year of pharmacy so I am being humble here) where NPs proactively introduced themselves as doctors (- with their MS/MA degrees ) and so did Pharm.Ds and arguably it wasn't really obvious which one should have been appropriate.

And also, stop dumbing down pts, it's a personal perk of mine when everyone "******ates" an average patient. Surely, I've seen statistics that say health literacy of an average american is so and so but I also know that my average patient - I am carrying several right now, have the full capacity to differentiate between a pharmacist and a physician. So unelss you blatantly intentionally play the pretend game and do not clearly introduce yourself, which you ought to anyway actually, I'm pretty sure most people will know who you are.

To illustrate the point: I have a delirium nonconversant pt suspected of overdose- and called a relative to do a med rec. Properly introduced myself (PS4), didn't provide any phone numbers, not even my pager #, just my name and service I am on. Relative called and tracked down which ICU I was in ! and left a message for me. Proper introduction takes away lack of clarity and goes a long way.

 

[delano2000]

If you don't want to call yourself doctor, don't.

But the patient confusion issue is a non-issue. Patients are confused, period. If a female neurosurgeon and a male janitor walk into a room together, 9/10 patients will call the janitor "Doctor" and call the neurosurgeon "Nurse."

Unless he has a mop in his hand.

 

[pharmasaur]

Wait a minute, so you are annoyed because a prof who probably formed his POV after years and years of training and clinical work possibly in the hospital setting which I venture to say you have 0 of, seeing how you are a P1 and unfamiliar with how things actually are, has a different standpoint than you, who quite frankly will continue being a noob pretty much untill your fourth year, so you got 3+ years of noobness ahead of you and you are annoyed ? 🙄 Is this reality ?

P1s of 2 days should have no opinions when don't live in reality. There's been many and many times where in my short time on service ( half way done with last year of pharmacy so I am being humble here) where NPs proactively introduced themselves as doctors (- with their MS/MA degrees ) and so did Pharm.Ds and arguably it wasn't really obvious which one should have been appropriate.

And also, stop dumbing down pts, it's a personal perk of mine when everyone "******ates" an average patient. Surely, I've seen statistics that say health literacy of an average american is so and so but I also know that my average patient - I am carrying several right now, have the full capacity to differentiate between a pharmacist and a physician. So unelss you blatantly intentionally play the pretend game and do not clearly introduce yourself, which you ought to anyway actually, I'm pretty sure most people will know who you are.

To illustrate the point: I have a delirium nonconversant pt suspected of overdose- and called a relative to do a med rec. Properly introduced myself (PS4), didn't provide any phone numbers, not even my pager #, just my name and service I am on. Relative called and tracked down which ICU I was in ! and left a message for me. Proper introduction takes away lack of clarity and goes a long way.

I think I'm entitled to my opinion in this situation since this is an objective debate and has nothing to do with the information I learn in school so saying whether I'm a P2 or P4 or P100 doesn't matter. Now if I was debating which drug would be ideal in which case obviously my yrs of experience would matter. I don't think health professionals other than MDs/DOs (and possibly Podiatrists) should be allowed to call themselves Doctor...NOT to disrespect their degree, but because in the English layman language doctor = physician. Ofcourse there are the PhDs and the other doctorates out there, but since doctor = physician in English, I think IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING only physicians should use the doctor title.

And for that one person asked...no he wasn't telling us to go out and call ourselves doctors now lol, he meant once we graduate we should embrace our "title". I'm not doing this for title and I get turned off when people discuss that kind of stuff. Just like how a student org advertised a dollar figure of how much a certain group of pharmacists make in an effort to get students to join their org...yuck, so tacky, not my style.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I think I'm entitled to my opinion in this situation since this is an objective debate and has nothing to do with the information I learn in school so saying whether I'm a P2 or P4 or P100 doesn't matter. Now if I was debating which drug would be ideal in which case obviously my yrs of experience would matter. I don't think health professionals other than MDs/DOs (and possibly Podiatrists) should be allowed to call themselves Doctor...NOT to disrespect their degree, but because in the English layman language doctor = physician. Ofcourse there are the PhDs and the other doctorates out there, but since doctor = physician in English, I think IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING only physicians should use the doctor title.

And for that one person asked...no he wasn't telling us to go out and call ourselves doctors now lol, he meant once we graduate we should embrace our "title". I'm not doing this for title and I get turned off when people discuss that kind of stuff. Just like how a student org advertised a dollar figure of how much a certain group of pharmacists make in an effort to get students to join their org...yuck, so tacky, not my style.

This debate is definitely not OBJECTIVE. Look it up.

And it's pretty common for dentists and optometrists to refer to themselves and be referred to as "Doctor" so and so. Clinical psychologists too. All three groups practice in a healthcare setting.

But really, if you get upset about stuff like this, you're going to be upset constantly. I'd let it go.

 

[SHC1984]

I can kind of see the OP point.

If you have pharmD you should tell patients "I am your pharmacist"

If you have a DMD you should tell your patients "I am your dentist"

If you have a MD you should tell your patients "I am your doctor"

If you are a NP you should tell your patients "I am your nurse"

If everyone tells the patients I am your doctor it will be very confusing. If you are a pharmacist you should tell the patient you are a pharmacist NOT doctor. Doctor means physician.

As for the Dr. title....No thanks. I am already too damn old as it is...if someone call me Dr. SHC it will make me sound even OLDER. NO THANK YOU. Call me by my first name PLEASE...perserve my youth...PLEASE.

Anyone that rather be call Dr. than their first name has severe ego issues and need help.

 

[UES Girl]

I think I'm entitled to my opinion in this situation since this is an objective debate and has nothing to do with the information I learn in school so saying whether I'm a P2 or P4 or P100 doesn't matter. Now if I was debating which drug would be ideal in which case obviously my yrs of experience would matter. I don't think health professionals other than MDs/DOs (and possibly Podiatrists) should be allowed to call themselves Doctor...NOT to disrespect their degree, but because in the English layman language doctor = physician. Ofcourse there are the PhDs and the other doctorates out there, but since doctor = physician in English, I think IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING only physicians should use the doctor title.

And for that one person asked...no he wasn't telling us to go out and call ourselves doctors now lol, he meant once we graduate we should embrace our "title". I'm not doing this for title and I get turned off when people discuss that kind of stuff. Just like how a student org advertised a dollar figure of how much a certain group of pharmacists make in an effort to get students to join their org...yuck, so tacky, not my style.

It has everything to do with you being a P1. Because you haven't been in the hospital, even if you have worked or has been as a tech, you have no direct experience of being clinician in the role of the pharmacist on the team - so if you don't have any direct experience, acting in the role of the "provider of health care" or clinican, a pharmacist on the team, then possibly how can you gauge whether you have that title or not and whether the usage of that title is appropriate ? Just from you skewed personal opinions ? Well, lots of people have opinions on a lot of things, some of the people with the strongest opinions have the least amount of knowledge and the least amount of personal experience ( men and abortions anyone), so are you entitled to it ? Yes. Do I think it's ridiculous you are so opinionated given your knowledge base since you are barely one foot in ? Yes. And I bet you anything, you know nothing to little about the entire debate currently going on whether or not pharmacists should be considered "health care providers" and be recognized as such and the states where they alreadt are. So, yep it does matter and there is a reason why I brought it up.

Perphaps, educate yourself on these important issues before you engage in the debate, way outside your scope of knowledge what it sounds like at this point.

 

[Praziquantel86]

You know what solves all these problems? Quint Studer and his AIDET ideas. There has to be a reason every hospital in the country is paying out their behinds for that acronym...

 

[cycloketocaine]

You know what solves all these problems? Quint Studer and his AIDET ideas. There has to be a reason every hospital in the country is paying out their behinds for that acronym...

For the love. HCA orientation has an hour long thingy about AIDET. It made me want to shove a fork in my ear and twist.

 

[Praziquantel86]

For the love. HCA orientation has an hour long thingy about AIDET. It made me want to shove a fork in my ear and twist.

I think AIDET (along with FIRST and LAST) have passed HIPAA on my list of least favorite things that hospital administrators are passionate about.

 

[sisson329]

This post made me giggle.

 

[lauradiddle]

I'd have to agree with the above post, a couple of our professors told us that often times they have to stop the patient talking about their problems and tell them they are not qualified to diagnose them lol

Pssh, I still have to stop my mom from talking about her problems and tell her I'm not qualified to diagnose her, and I never go around calling myself doctor.

Like someone said above, people are confused period.