Should we address ourselves as "doctors?"

[CetiAlphaFive]

There is only one type of doctor lay people care about, that's the one that can potentially save their life in an emergency situation. Don't confuse them by calling yourself a "doctor."

Lol.

If I ever saw a family medicine M.D. try to save someone's life in a true emergency situation, I'd just load the Benny Hill theme on my phone.

Funny enough, I helped a hypoglycemic lady on a plane Sunday.
I did start with:

"Hi, I'm not a doctor, but I might be able to help you.
My name's Ceti, what's yours?"

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[VA Hopeful Dr]

Lol.

If I ever saw a family medicine M.D. try to save someone's life in a true emergency situation, I'd just load the Benny Hill theme on my phone.

Now now, let's not be rude

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

Now now, let's not be rude

You're right, I apologize.

I'd only start filming when they started handing them Z-paks in the middle of chest compressions.

Lol

 

[PA_dud3]

Lol.

If I ever saw a family medicine M.D. try to save someone's life in a true emergency situation, I'd just load the Benny Hill theme on my phone.

Would probably just try to transfer them to a specialist

 

[AlwaysContrary]

There is only one type of doctor lay people care about, that's the one that can potentially save their life in an emergency situation. Don't confuse them by calling yourself a "doctor."

I'd rather have an EMT during an emergent situation since, you know, that's all they do. Last I checked they weren't doctors.

 

[Bosno]

No. Not in a clinical setting to patients. It only confuses them. Patients think of their doctors as MDs. There is nothing wrong with introducing yourself as a pharmacist. Why would anyone feel the need to introduce themselves as doctor...besides the actual MD.

 

[owlegrad]

It’s weird to me that people think the correct response to ignorance is to perpetuate it.

 

[Bosno]

It’s weird to me that people think the correct response to ignorance is to perpetuate it.

It’s not ignorance, it’s semantics. I am not a medical doctor. Most patients recognize a medical doctor as a “doctor” in a hospital. If everyone that had a doctor of “whatever” degree was referred to as a “doctor” then patients would have to come up with a new word for their medical doctor. It’s literally the word that patients connect to medical doctors. There is a difference between medical doctors and pharmacists. I don’t mind patients distinguishing the two in that way. Its confusing for patients because there is BIG difference between medical doctors and pharmacists in their role and you expect them to not be confused when both professions refer to themselves as doctors. If it makes you feel better, the just refer to yourself as a pharmacy doctor. I don’t feel any less telling them that I’m a pharmacist.

They may not understand the training that goes into becoming a pharmacist either way. Referring myself as a “doctor” doesn’t change that. I don’t gain an ego boost or self esteem boost from being referred to as a doctor. I gain satisfaction from the work I do for the patient and in return them understanding the importance of pharmacists.

When dealing with other healthcare professionals it’s different.

 

[Rouelle]

If we are going to be the most proper, then “doctor” is a title associated with an academic degree. Physician, pharmacist, chiropractor, etc are the names of the respective jobs/professions. The use of the title “doctor” pre-dates the medical use of the term.

But again, I’ve only seriously addressed myself with the title when standing in front of a classroom. Personal preference.

 

[Astharia]

I only use Dr. in an academic setting. In the clinical setting, I just introduce myself as a pharmacist with my first name.

Quite frankly it doesn't matter anyway because half of my patients automatically assume all males are doctors and all females are nurses. They can't even get over the gender stereotype so I might cause some brains to explode explaining that you can be a doctor and not a physician.

True lol. My daughter dressed up as a dentist for school and on her scrubs I wrote, "Dr. ******, D.D.S." everyone was confused because I guess they didn't realize a dentist is a Dr.

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[ExpressMaiL]

I'd rather have an EMT during an emergent situation since, you know, that's all they do. Last I checked they weren't doctors.

Have you ever been admitted to the hospital for something serious? Hopefully you never go but you'll want someone more than a $10/hour EMT. While we are on the subject, we can talk about how ineffective CPR is outside the hospital.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

You're right, I apologize.

I'd only start filming when they started handing them Z-paks in the middle of chest compressions.

Lol

Z-paks are so last year, its all Avelox now old man

(totally kidding, haven't written a FQ for anything outside of pneumonia in probably 2 years).

 

[PA_dud3]

Have you ever been admitted to the hospital for something serious? Hopefully you never go but you'll want someone more than a $10/hour EMT. While we are on the subject, we can talk about how ineffective CPR is outside the hospital.

Most ER techs only have EMT level training.

 

[owlegrad]

It’s not ignorance, it’s semantics. I am not a medical doctor. Most patients recognize a medical doctor as a “doctor” in a hospital. If everyone that had a doctor of “whatever” degree was referred to as a “doctor” then patients would have to come up with a new word for their medical doctor. It’s literally the word that patients connect to medical doctors. There is a difference between medical doctors and pharmacists. I don’t mind patients distinguishing the two in that way. Its confusing for patients because there is BIG difference between medical doctors and pharmacists in their role and you expect them to not be confused when both professions refer to themselves as doctors. If it makes you feel better, the just refer to yourself as a pharmacy doctor. I don’t feel any less telling them that I’m a pharmacist.

They may not understand the training that goes into becoming a pharmacist either way. Referring myself as a “doctor” doesn’t change that. I don’t gain an ego boost or self esteem boost from being referred to as a doctor. I gain satisfaction from the work I do for the patient and in return them understanding the importance of pharmacists.

When dealing with other healthcare professionals it’s different.

It’s not semantics. Physicians do not have a monopoly on earning doctorates. To think doctor=MD is ignorance.

I never addressed myself as doctor to a patient because that was my choice. But the idea that we shouldn’t because it is ‘confusing’ is BS. By that logic we shouldn’t use generic names since that is confusing too. In fact we might as well just refer to the color of the pill when referring to it so as to avoid confusion.

If someone is confused by the use of doctor to refer to someone who holds a doctorate that is in fact ignorance. Which really isn’t that big of a deal, we are all ignorant of very many things after all.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

It’s not semantics. Physicians do not have a monopoly on earning doctorates. To think doctor=MD is ignorance.

I never addressed myself as doctor to a patient because that was my choice. But the idea that we shouldn’t because it is ‘confusing’ is BS. By that logic we shouldn’t use generic names since that is confusing too. In fact we might as well just refer to the color of the pill when referring to it so as to avoid confusion.

If someone is confused by the use of doctor to refer to someone who holds a doctorate that is in fact ignorance. Which really isn’t that big of a deal, we are all ignorant of very many things after all.

It's not ignorance so much as colloquial English.

If someone says "I'm going to the doctor later today", they don't mean they're seeing the pharmacist, the dentist, or the professor. They are going to see the physician.

That being said, as a physician, I do not care in the slightest who calls themselves doctor.

 

[owlegrad]

It's not ignorance so much as colloquial English.

If someone says "I'm going to the doctor later today", they don't mean they're seeing the pharmacist, the dentist, or the professor. They are going to see the physician.

That being said, as a physician, I do not care in the slightest who calls themselves doctor.

Eh, saying your going to “the doctor” isn’t the same as someone introducing themselves as “Dr. Whoever” though. Saying your going to “the doctor” means physician more or less. Having Dr in your name doesn’t make you “the doctor”. Now if a pharmacist introduced themself as the doctor, yeah I think that would be a bit misleading. It’s all about context even with colloquial use.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Don't most doctors of education call themselves doctor?

I think there's a huge difference between calling yourself doctor and others deciding to call you doctor.

I also think the public misunderstand what a doctor is, not realizing it's based on a degree.

Many customers call me doc but I would never introduce myself that way.

 

[AlwaysContrary]

It’s not semantics. Physicians do not have a monopoly on earning doctorates. To think doctor=MD is ignorance.

I never addressed myself as doctor to a patient because that was my choice. But the idea that we shouldn’t because it is ‘confusing’ is BS. By that logic we shouldn’t use generic names since that is confusing too. In fact we might as well just refer to the color of the pill when referring to it so as to avoid confusion.

If someone is confused by the use of doctor to refer to someone who holds a doctorate that is in fact ignorance. Which really isn’t that big of a deal, we are all ignorant of very many things after all.

I could really care less if someone calls me Dr. AlwaysContrary, but what really grinds my gears when I see physicians (especially medical students) that seem to think MD is the only doctorate and everyone else can f*ck off. It's certainly a self-centered view that really ought to die.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

It's not ignorance so much as colloquial English.

If someone says "I'm going to the doctor later today", they don't mean they're seeing the pharmacist, the dentist, or the professor. They are going to see the physician.

That being said, as a physician, I do not care in the slightest who calls themselves doctor.

I think the confusion here is people think of physicians when they use doctor as a proper noun.

I never met a dentist or optometrist that wasn't called "Dr. _____"

 

[Sine Cura]

In fact we might as well just refer to the color of the pill when referring to it so as to avoid confusion.

I actually do that with one patient because the guy mumbles and it is easier to identify what he actually wants

 

[Carboxide]

I sometimes do and sometimes don't. When I do I say I'm Dr. Carboxide, the pharmacist on your team. No one has ever gotten confused. No one has ever tried to show me a body part. I've done it for years. I've literally never had even one person think I was a physician after I said that.

 

[Greatpharma]

We one had an interprofessional simulation rotation where we worked with PT and nurses to treat a patient. During the debrief session, one of the nursing students was so surprised when my preceptor introduced herself as a doctor. She literally said out loud, "wait is pharmacist a doctor?" then the other nursing student said, "Yes they are! Surprise right?" ...We, my preceptor and us, felt so awkward lol.

But anyway, I personally think that doctor is a title and someone who achieve that title deserve to be called doctor if they want to. I had preceptors who requested me to call them doctor and others who would be like, "no no, just my name is fine!" So yeah, it's up to each person but I don't think there is anything wrong with either way.

 

[DrVader]

Should pharmacists address themselves as "doctor?" In which scenario would that be or not be appropriate?

Our degree does indicate that we are doctor of medications, but I have never seen pharmacists address themselves as doctors. Should that be changed?

That is silly, you are letting the pharmacy professors get to your head. They love to preen their feathers and call themselves doctors. Everyone is calling themselves doctors now, Nurse, PAs. Hell, we wear scrubs at CVS, when I walk around the store people think I am a med student.

 

[DrVader]

Indiana Jones was never addressed as "Professor" Jones, it was always "Doctor Jones".

That is because PhDs are the original doctors, while MD stole the title.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Twitter has not been kind to her over this

 

[BidingMyTime]

I have yet to meet a lawyer who has introduced him/herself as "Dr. Lawyer." Just saying.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

So, commentary on the photo:

Even if you ARE an MD/DO, there are apparently situations where you shouldn't demand to be called by the "dr." Prefix.

Context, folks.

 

[emergentmd]

It’s not semantics. Physicians do not have a monopoly on earning doctorates. To think doctor=MD is ignorance.

I never addressed myself as doctor to a patient because that was my choice. But the idea that we shouldn’t because it is ‘confusing’ is BS. By that logic we shouldn’t use generic names since that is confusing too. In fact we might as well just refer to the color of the pill when referring to it so as to avoid confusion.

If someone is confused by the use of doctor to refer to someone who holds a doctorate that is in fact ignorance. Which really isn’t that big of a deal, we are all ignorant of very many things after all.

Good luck walking around the hospital and introducing yourself as Dr. Owl to everyone. Really, I wish you did it. Can you video and post it on youtube too? I would love to see the reaction of your fellow coworkers, doctors, and administration. I think you would be quickly out of a job.

I can see it now....

CEO comes down
Owl - Hi CEO, I am doctor OWN
CEO -WTF....

 

[owlegrad]

Good luck walking around the hospital and introducing yourself as Dr. Owl to everyone. Really, I wish you did it. Can you video and post it on youtube too? I would love to see the reaction of your fellow coworkers, doctors, and administration. I think you would be quickly out of a job.

I can see it now....

CEO comes down
Owl - Hi CEO, I am doctor OWN
CEO -WTF....

This post is so dumb that I fear I have become dumber for having read it. First of all, why would I introduce myself as Dr OWN when that isn’t even my name? And what exactly do you think the CEO would do if I did? “ But but but you are a pharmacist! Only physicians use the Dr title. What has this world come to. Someone get security and have them escort this man out! Out I say!”

 

[PA_dud3]

Good luck walking around the hospital and introducing yourself as Dr. Owl to everyone. Really, I wish you did it. Can you video and post it on youtube too? I would love to see the reaction of your fellow coworkers, doctors, and administration. I think you would be quickly out of a job.

I can see it now....

CEO comes down
Owl - Hi CEO, I am doctor OWN
CEO -WTF....

Found the Physician.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Found the Physician.

Nah, you've just found the jackass.

Prior to this, 2 of us already posted to say we didn't care if y'all do or don't.

 

[wagrxm2000]

So if you and a physician are in a patients room and the patient says "hey doc", does anyone here respond?

 

[wucool33]

So, commentary on the photo:

Even if you ARE an MD/DO, there are apparently situations where you shouldn't demand to be called by the "dr." Prefix.

Context, folks.

Well, to be fair, I think she “only” has a PhD lol

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

Well, to be fair, I think she “only” has a PhD lol

Whoops, I misread it

 

[SpartanDOnoharm]

I always thought this question was interesting. I always introduce myself by my first name. When I'm rounding with the physician, they always introduce me as Dr.

 

[beautifulrobot]

Adding this to the list of perks of being in uniform: I can just go by my rank and not have to worry about whether to call myself Dr. or not. I also like that among uniformed colleagues we refer to each other by rank, regardless of profession. Amazingly, patients are not confused by this (AFAICT), and are still able to figure out who is their physician, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, etc.

Although one of the drawbacks of being in uniform is I have struggled with whether to use my rank and degree credentials on the same line (e.g., LT giga, PharmD) in letters/emails. Online military etiquette resources say this is a no-no, but I've seen many PHS officers do this. Then again, many PHS officers don't really know military etiquette, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[beautifulrobot]

Feel free to call yourself whatever the #(*$ you want for whatever reason you think you need.

Can I call you Captain lord999?

 

[lord999]

Can I call you Captain lord999?

The correct form based on what I work for now is "The Honorable lord999" as I saw in my last official invitation to meet our current Secretary (although we all hope that this one doesn't leave the office a paranoid mess like our last one who literally shut himself inside his office ordering military guard outside his door).

VA secretary David Shulkin is said to be acting erratically amid reports of a new internal probe

I'm recognized on sight at Central Office as being one of the mentally ill oversight personnel - I come in at all hours, have careless dress, has no verbal filter addressing anyone including politically elected officials (and notoriously made a substantial (one paycheck) bet openly whether one of our senior staff was going to jail for public masturbation or be fired first in front of the guy and his boss - I bet on jail and won, because I know just how hard it is to fire someone in OPM). I rarely if ever have to introduce myself as my bad reputation precedes me. If you wonder why I know so much about civil service, it comes from my intermittent assignments to the Dungeon (Basement #2 for those who know how VACO works) for political faux pas.

I still carry the aliased badge though when I do hospital work (haven't done so in years though), because stalking is a thing. I wish I could have a forgettable name like John Smith, but looking very Asian, I have to settle for something like Winston Wang or something a bit more memorable.

 

[Robbin]

I think pharmacist can't refer as a doctor. Because there is a difference between each and every person's job field. If you are able to do an operation of the patient then sound looks good that "you are a doctor" but if you are a pharmacist its little bit different. Layman people can't understand the difference between doctor and pharmacist.
I think you have to clear each and every term of your profession in your mind. So, that you can guide others in a right way.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

I think pharmacist can't refer as a doctor. Because there is a difference between each and every person's job field. If you are able to do an operation of the patient then sound looks good that "you are a doctor" but if you are a pharmacist its little bit different. Layman people can't understand the difference between doctor and pharmacist.
I think you have to clear each and every term of your profession in your mind. So, that you can guide others in a right way.

Lol.

 

[Rouelle]

I shall henceforth and forever more demand to be called “The Benevolent Supreme Leader Dr. Rouelle, BS, PharmD, PhD.” And yes, I will refer to myself in the third person.

 

[beautifulrobot]

I shall henceforth and forever more demand to be called “The Benevolent Supreme Leader Dr. Rouelle, BS, PharmD, PhD.” And yes, I will refer to myself in the third person.

What about Dr Squared Rouelle?

 

[Rouelle]

What about Dr Squared Rouelle?

Oh The Benevolent Supreme Leader likes that.

 

[DrVader]

Oh The Benevolent Supreme Leader likes that.

I will be known as the supreme dear leader.

 

[AlwaysContrary]

I think the argument that patient's don't know the difference is a really poor one. There's literally a streamer that goes by Dr.Disrespect and I'm pretty sure everyone knows he's not a physician lol.

 

[PA_dud3]

I think the argument that patient's don't know the difference is a really poor one. There's literally a streamer that goes by Dr.Disrespect and I'm pretty sure everyone knows he's not a physician lol.

You watch the Doc?

 

[AlwaysContrary]

You watch the Doc?

Yeah Buddy! Did you see that people were "stream sniping" his house??

 

[PA_dud3]

Yeah Buddy! Did you see that people were "stream sniping" his house??

Bro yes, that was absolutely wild, crazy what some people will do to someone who has a modicum of fame

 

[emergentmd]

Is this seriously a discussion?

If you want to go home and have your spouse refer to you as a doctor, then go ahead. Most of your spouses friend will just snicker but by all means.

If you are going to be in a hospital, no one refers to a pharmacist as a doctor unless you are dong a Powerpoint presentation to your pharmacy student.

Maybe in an academic teaching hospital where everyone wants to be PC, but I have never heard a pharmacist referred to as Dr but anyone. Never heard that from a nurse, a tech, a doctor, administration. Seriously.

During our MEC meetings when the Director of pharmacy gives his report, he is referred by everyone by his first name by everyone in the room. The MDs in the room are all referred to as Doctor by the CEO, CFO, Pharmacists, nurses, etc.

I really don't care if you refer to yourself as Doctor, but realize that most people will just snicker at you in the hospital.

Just being honest.