signing your name

[BigPimpin]

Greetings, all.

I was wondering -- is there an etiquette or protocol for putting your degree after your name when you sign legal documents, sign your checks, apply for a library card, sign the credit-card machine receipt, sign a guestbook at a wedding, etc? When should a physician affix their degree to their signed name? Are there times when it should NOT be done?

I have asked a few docs at my hospital and their opinions run the whole gamut. Some of them put it on everything, some never do it unless it's something medical. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing what people have to say about this.

Yeah I know, this seems like a petty question but 1) I'm trying to avoid any social gaffes and 2) medical school is over, internship doesn't start for five weeks, and I leave for Australia/NZ in five days...so I have five days of spare time and lots of silly subjects like this to think about.

BP

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[DrKnowItAll]

Don't put your degree after your name unless it is medically related. Otherwise, you'll look like a cheese a$$ looking for attention.

 

[VentdependenT]

DO IT!

Also announce things like "Dr. SoandSo would like fries with his hamburgler meal." 3rd person is great if you are a doctor.

"Ehm, yes. Dr. Flumpher would like to have the extra pina colada air freshener with his delux automobile wash."

Thats sooooo bad ass man.

 

[Amy]

I don't plan on signing "MD" on anything in my personal life. It's no one's business. (I'm not sure I'll add it to my signiture even in my professional life.)

 

[retroviridae]

I don't plan on signing "MD" on anything in my personal life. It's no one's business. (I'm not sure I'll add it to my signiture even in my professional life.)

if you end up telling too many people you are a doctor, they will come looking for you whenever anyone gets sick.

 

[cytoskelement]

DO IT!

Also announce things like "Dr. SoandSo would like fries with his hamburgler meal." 3rd person is great if you are a doctor.

"Ehm, yes. Dr. Flumpher would like to have the extra pina colada air freshener with his delux automobile wash."

Thats sooooo bad ass man.

LMAO.

Actually, I'd bet its even better as a conversation topic that helps you to meet interesting people. When I get my initials, I'm planning to hang out in front of the local malpractice attorney's office! "Hi, I'm Dr. de**** a Brains. Just wanted to make your acquaintance."

On a serious note, I'd opt to use it only professionally (or as cheesy pick up line).

 

[BigPimpin]

HA ha....VentDependent comes through as usual....

But really, this is good stuff. I originally asked this question because it seems any time I'm out with some of my non-medical friends they like me to sign the shiny new degree after my name on credit card receipts, etc, because they know how long it's been in coming. But when they prod me to sign it, I always tell them, "Geez...I don't know...it feels dirty..."

My plan is to only use it (or the alternative 'Dr. blah blah,' with no degree at the end) on medical documents and that seems to be the consensus here. I've seen credit cards with both MD and DO on them (not at the same time, ha) but even that seems overboard.

So have any graduates here done the thing where someone calls you Mr. or Mrs. and you say, "It's Dr."? I consider myself a pretty self-confident person, maybe even a little too much...but I don't think I'd ever stoop that low. I cringe when I hear it done. Anyway, keep the replies coming.

BP

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Based on what I've seen working in registration and in medical records, it depends on the circumstance and the person.

I'm of the opinion that you're going to be signing so very many things in your professional life, the shorter the signature the better. Although there are notable exceptions to this observation, I now know why doctor's have doctor's handwriting - they have to write so damn much! 😛

Ask me how I feel about it again in four years! 😉

 

[NoSz]

If you are a woman and don't look like 40, use it!

Personally, I am not using my 4 year old MD title other than medically (and not even there always), but I can tell you, it makes a big difference.

Even if you use it, get real, nobody will believe, you are a doctor anyway (Oh, you are? Really? Pediatrician?).

But you might be treated with more courtesy and respect. I can just tell you, when the very rude public notary realized, I wasn't just an annoying customer, willing to pay $10 for his signature (and daring to bring a baby into his office), that I needed his signature under some paperwork related to my medical license, he started to treat me like a person. Whenever he sees me now, he yells "HI DOC!" all over the place. And yes, I think this is more appropriate than treating me like a stupid little girl (I am 31, 5' 11" and don't look or behave like 16).
Same experience in hotels and at the airport (visa states I am a doctor, passport does not). Never had a chance to check it in restaurants, but I am sure you get a better table, if you make a reservation as an MD on the phone.

Show the world there are real female doctors, even with children, young looking and they are not just all pediatricians. (I used to tell people: I am pediatric pathologist.)

You guys cannot understand what I am talking about, every man in a hospital gown is a doctor anyway.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Frankly, its considered rather inappropriate to use your professional degree in social situations. Yes, I realize there are people who go to grand balls and the like and are introduced as "Dr. So and So", but Emily Post would argue that's not correct.

As noted above, the more you use it, the more it will be abused by others (lloking for free medical advice, etc.). I say don't...it looks pretentious on checks, who ya gonna impress, the telephone company? 🙄

 

[Skip Intro]

Yes, I realize there are people who go to grand balls and the like and are introduced as "Dr. So and So", but Emily Post would argue that's not correct.

My favorite was a oncologist, an older guy, I worked with doing research years ago. He was a pretty down-to-earth, unassuming kinda guy. Once he told me that after few years out of medical school his first wife, whom he later divorced, had gotten into the habit of introducing herself at parties, etc. as "Mrs. Dr. So-and-so". Can you believe that? Now, that's some big balls... by proxy.

-Skip

 

[PTOSIS]

saw a cartoon in a paper a few years ago, guy at a cocktail party walks up to another, holds out his hand and says, Hi, I am Dr. Smith, the guy sais 'uh, and i am machine operator Rufus". enough said 🙂

 

[southerndoc]

I have my MD title added to my name on my letterhead and business cards, but not on checks, credit cards, return address labels, etc.

If someone calls me Mr., I don't correct them. As far as I know, I'm still a Mr. in addition to a Dr. 😉

When someone introduces me as Dr., I usually shake their hand and tell them my first name. I don't get offended if I'm introduced as Dr. because that is my new title -- PhD's, PharmD's, and even JD's have doctorates and are appropriately called Dr. once they receive the degree.

When introducing myself to patients, I always use Dr. In the past I used my first and last name and then informed patients I was a resident. Some patients end up being confused -- are you really a physician? Are you just a student? So by introducing yourself as Dr., you eliminate that confusion. Once I am practicing in the real world, I plan to return to introducing myself by first and last name and allowing patients the option of calling me by first name, Dr., or whatever (I often answer to 'hey you!').

 

[EPA7X1]

I had a friend that introduced himself as Dr. at a car dealership. What a way to get a great deal. 🙄 You might as well introduce yourself as Richy Rich or Mr. Big.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

I had a friend that introduced himself as Dr. at a car dealership. What a way to get a great deal. 🙄 You might as well introduce yourself as Richy Rich or Mr. Big.

One of the ER docs I work with was telling us about buying his latest car. He was haggling with the salesman about interest rates and whatnot, and the guy wouldn't give him a good rate. He was getting pretty frustrated and just said to hell with it and wrote him a check for the car. 😛

Why he'd want to finance it if he's got the money in the bank, I don't know. Maybe he was hoping for 0%?

 

[Rony]

I have my MD title added to my name on my letterhead and business cards, but not on checks, credit cards, return address labels, etc.

If someone calls me Mr., I don't correct them. As far as I know, I'm still a Mr. in addition to a Dr. 😉

When someone introduces me as Dr., I usually shake their hand and tell them my first name. I don't get offended if I'm introduced as Dr. because that is my new title -- PhD's, PharmD's, and even JD's have doctorates and are appropriately called Dr. once they receive the degree.

When introducing myself to patients, I always use Dr. In the past I used my first and last name and then informed patients I was a resident. Some patients end up being confused -- are you really a physician? Are you just a student? So by introducing yourself as Dr., you eliminate that confusion. Once I am practicing in the real world, I plan to return to introducing myself by first and last name and allowing patients the option of calling me by first name, Dr., or whatever (I often answer to 'hey you!').

well said southerndoc....but letterhead and business cards!!!! Which program are you in for heaven's sake!!!!???!?!???

Anyway, FYI, after acceptance into the United Kingdom's professional society for surgeons (FRCS, 'R' for Royal), the equivalent of our FACS...the surgeon in question becomes a Mr., apparently a higher title than Dr....and they WILL correct you if you call them Dr.!! And people think surgeons are full of themselves!!!

 

[JudoKing01]

I am totally introducing myself as Dr. G, signing everything with MD after my name, and I'm totally making reservations as Dr. Goldstein. My bro-in-law's father makes reservations as Dr. Lazovitz because it gets him a better table and they are more likely to make an effort to get him a table.

My reason for doing it is I'm a pompous ass and I want everyone to know how awesome I am.

Fist-five! Alright.

 

[WilcoWorld]

Fist-five! Alright.

LOL

Since I haven't seen a patient since acquiring the title, I'm not sure how it'll feel at that point. I predict that I'll call myself Dr. Blah if it seems like it'll make the patient more comfortable, and go by my first name otherwise. The only time I feel like using it outside the hospital is in formal correspondance when I think it'll carry some weight. I'd never use it in personal letters, but when writing to my alderman/senator/etc...(which I do with some frequency) I feel it's appropriate and (occasionally) effective. After all, I address them as Senator Blah, and I want my views taken into consideration, so I feel it's the ideal non-clinical setting for such otherwise distasteful posturing.

 

[JudoKing01]

Yeah, well if I'm writing a letter to my mom I'm not going to write Dr. Goldstein, lol. Of course, why not? That'd be funny as hell.

 

[retroviridae]

Anyway, FYI, after acceptance into the United Kingdom's professional society for surgeons (FRCS, 'R' for Royal), the equivalent of our FACS...the surgeon in question becomes a Mr., apparently a higher title than Dr....and they WILL correct you if you call them Dr.!! And people think surgeons are full of themselves!!!

Well, number one, you don't get an FRCS anymore, now it's MRCS, in line with the policies of the other royal colleges.

It's not that being a Mr. is higher than a Dr., just that surgeons are surgeons and physicians are physicians. As we all know, they are not the same. Remember, surgeons originally were barbers who were skilled with knives. That's why they were called Mr. and not Dr. (Depending on who you ask, that's also why we wear white coats) The British MD is also different; it is MB, BS or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. I have always been curious how the US and British nomenclature diverged so greatly.

 

[trixmd]

In professional settings (at work, never in doctor social circles), I introduce myself as "Dr. Trix." Otherwise, I"m just Trix, Mrs Trix if you're being picky, Ms. Trix if you're PC, or Trixie if we go way back. I don't believe that my husband has ever introduced himself as "Mr. Dr. Trix," but I"ll check and get back to you.

My signature, because I am 1) a simple minded person, 2) usually too busy too to stop and figure out what version is appropriate for which situation, and c) is really difficult to read by most people anyway is "Trix MD", which looks like big T, sine wave sort of pattern ,followed by loopy D. I've not found it to be helpful in acquiring car loans, better table seatings, or meeting doctor groupies.

Trix, practicing medicine for some time now.

note
Names have been changed to protect the guilty and persecute the innocent

 

[Samoa]

One of the ER docs I work with was telling us about buying his latest car. He was haggling with the salesman about interest rates and whatnot, and the guy wouldn't give him a good rate. He was getting pretty frustrated and just said to hell with it and wrote him a check for the car. 😛

Why he'd want to finance it if he's got the money in the bank, I don't know. Maybe he was hoping for 0%?

off topic, but here's why: car salesmen will sometimes give you a discount on the actual price of the car if they think they're going to make some money off you by financing the loan through the dealership. So you finance the car, get the discount, sign the paperwork and then immediately write them a check for the amount of the loan. That may be what he was trying to do.

 

[pushinepi2]

I was wondering -- is there an etiquette or protocol for putting your degree after your name when you sign legal documents, sign your checks, apply for a library card, sign the credit-card machine receipt, sign a guestbook at a wedding, etc? When should a physician affix their degree to their signed name? Are there times when it should NOT be done?...

Don't sign your name as MD/DO when participating in a collegial forum, such as "studentdoctor.net." It comes off as redundant,self serving, loquacious, verbose, and otherwise condescending. Why aren't you satisfied with introducing yourself to patients as, "the big pimp?" That way, concerns with regard to social stature are immediately dispelled.

-Pushinepi2, DO

 

[sunnyjohn]

One of the ER docs I work with was telling us about buying his latest car. He was haggling with the salesman about interest rates and whatnot, and the guy wouldn't give him a good rate. He was getting pretty frustrated and just said to hell with it and wrote him a check for the car. 😛

Why he'd want to finance it if he's got the money in the bank, I don't know. Maybe he was hoping for 0%?

The need to haggle over prices. For us cheap tighwads it's a primitive urge.

I had a friend that introduced himself as Dr. at a car dealership. What a way to get a great deal. 🙄 You might as well introduce yourself as Richy Rich or Mr. Big.

Haha. I bet he paid through the nose for the rustproofing and "windshield package"

 

[Dave2K]

At our University Hospital, the medstudents are required to include "MSIII" or "MSIV" on their signatures for orders and charts, to designate the fact that it requires a cosign. My signature is such a force of habit that I'm embarrassed to see "MSIII" occasionally showing up on my checks when I write bills!

 

[BigPimpin]

Ha, yep, I did the exact same thing. I would see an everyday thing (check, credit card slip, etc) that I had signed with MSiii or MSiv on it and I'd just cringe. That's when I began to censor myself. Better late than never I guess.

BP

 

[Daniel575]

Yeah, well if I'm writing a letter to my mom I'm not going to write Dr. Goldstein, lol. Of course, why not? That'd be funny as hell.

You might also want to read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Goldstein . 😀

Dr. Goldstein... Well, at least, in Israel you're famous. Everyone knows Dr. Goldstein, MD.

 

[DrKnowItAll]

This topic is a prime example of how unsophisticated many people in the medical profession are.

Can't wait to finish residency and start mingling with more intelligent folks again.

 

[Blade28]

I don't plan on adding "MD" into my signature, whether I'm in a social or professional setting. No need for that.

 

[southerndoc]

I don't plan on adding "MD" into my signature, whether I'm in a social or professional setting. No need for that.

There is a need to add "MD" to your signature in a professional setting. JCAHO requires it for all documents/orders (as it identifies you as a treating physician), and many insurance companies and Medicare will pay you differently if you add MD to your name. For instance, emergency patients are often billed differently if seen by an EM attending, EM resident, v. a PA.

 

[BigPimpin]

This topic is a prime example of how unsophisticated many people in the medical profession are.

Can't wait to finish residency and start mingling with more intelligent folks again.

And yet you feel the need to take part with a post that is just sheer bile.

Jeez. The heart of the question had to do with etiquette, not what a person could 'get away with.' I thought it was legit.

If you were being sarcastic with your post, I apologize; to all people who posted with legitimate responses, I thank you for the knowledge.

BP

 

[gwen]

it just looks silly to write your MD/DO after your name...

1) if its an order or prescription - OBVIOUSLY you're a doctor...or else you'd be in big trouble already

2) for anything not medical - who the hell cares if you're an MD or not...and let me tell you, its not always helpful to let ppl know that you're a doctor...they will charge you more for anything you buy (car, house, etc) or will be more likely to sue you for damages (car accident, you mention you're a doctor or thy see your pager/white coat...you're done!). the common man does not know that residents make pennies an hour...they just assume you're minting millions like the docs from the 70s-80s.

just remember, you're an MD to your patients, that's all.

 

[Winged Scapula]

it just looks silly to write your MD/DO after your name...

1) if its an order or prescription - OBVIOUSLY you're a doctor...or else you'd be in big trouble already.

While it may "look silly" to some, as mentioned above JCAHO does require it. Its not often enforced but adding the degree behind your name is considered your legal signature for professional purposes and should be used.

 

[Bobblehead]

I use a very short signature with MD after it for signing notes, scripts, etc. I also have a legal signature which I haven't altered after med school. My medical signature is marginally more legible than my legal signature which is why I adopted that.

 

[JudoKing01]

You might also want to read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Goldstein . 😀

Dr. Goldstein... Well, at least, in Israel you're famous. Everyone knows Dr. Goldstein, MD.

LOLOL

I just love how he was born on December 9 OR December 12

 

[docB]

There is a need to add "MD" to your signature in a professional setting. JCAHO requires it for all documents/orders (as it identifies you as a treating physician), and many insurance companies and Medicare will pay you differently if you add MD to your name. For instance, emergency patients are often billed differently if seen by an EM attending, EM resident, v. a PA.

In my hospitals they don't care what's in the signature, they just want us to write our license number after it. That's how they really identify us. Many of us use stampers as well that have our names and numbers. Incidentally the stamps that are made for us by the hospitals have MD or DO after the name.

 

[timtye78]

Leave it out of social situations except for the restuarant reservation thing-thats cool.

Usually I don't mention what I do in new social circles unless someone asks specifically what I do. I do NOT chicken out though like some people I know who are docs and they tell people I "am in the healthcare field." I figure if someone asks, then tell them. Since when is being a physician embarassing? The guy at the video store doesn't have any qualms telling people that he works at best buy. Be careful how you tell people-once my wife accused me of "smiling" when I said I was a doctor. Jeeez.. But even in medical circles (to consultants) I simply say, I am the intern at Baptist or later, Anesthesiology resident. Even when finished, I am an anesthesiologist. 'Nuff said. People know you're a doc. It is proper to introduce yourself as Dr X to patients-even as a resident.

Don't sign it on credit card receipts unless you are able to tip well 😀 I think people have more expectations in general of you especially they think you should spend more, have more extendable credit, don't think you appreciate or even know what 'hard-earned' money is. all just b/c you volunteer the doctor title. Some may try to 'up-sale' you if you declare you're a doctor.

 

[JudoKing01]

That's good advice. Yeah, I've seen some doctors go "oh well, i work in healthcare, you know." If someone asks me what I do, I'm a doctor, that's that. lol.

 

[southerndoc]

1) if its an order or prescription - OBVIOUSLY you're a doctor...or else you'd be in big trouble already

In my state, along with most others, nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), and some other providers in some states can write prescriptions.

So a script doesn't obviously come from a doctor.

 

[Philo Beddo]

I don't plan on adding "MD" into my signature, whether I'm in a social or professional setting. No need for that.

Absolutely.

Other faux-pax:
1. Wearing you medical student ID badge to bars.
2. Introducing yourself to anyone as a Doctor except at work.
3. Introducing yourself as a medical student period.
4. Telling someone you're a doctor, when you're actually just an anesthesiologist, opthomologist or dermatologist.

That's going to stir it up. Lol.

Philo

hippocritis.com <----medical satire for residents and medical students.

 

[timtye78]

1. Wearing you medical student ID badge to bars.
2. Introducing yourself to anyone as a Doctor except at work.
3. Introducing yourself as a medical student period.
4. Telling someone you're a doctor, when you're actually just an anesthesiologist, opthomologist or dermatologist.

That's going to stir it up. Lol.

Philo

On that note, a few attendings have been known to tell us anesthesiology interns "Too bad you are going into Anesthesiology-you'd have made a great doctor.."

 

[southerndoc]

1. Wearing you medical student ID badge to bars.
2. Introducing yourself to anyone as a Doctor except at work.
3. Introducing yourself as a medical student period.
4. Telling someone you're a doctor, when you're actually just an anesthesiologist, opthomologist or dermatologist.

That's going to stir it up. Lol.

Philo

On that note, a few attendings have been known to tell us anesthesiology interns "Too bad you are going into Anesthesiology-you'd have made a great doctor.."

Last I checked, anesthesiologists, dermatologists, and "opthomologists" (sic, the correct spelling is ophthalmologists, but whatever) are still considered physicians, "doctors," and have attending medical school.

Maybe I'm disillusioned. Perhaps you are.

 

[beanbean]

Someone I know who is a faculty member at a med school told me they once had a first year student who wrote out a check to the med school for fees or something like that and signed the check "John Doe, MD". Please wait until after you GRADUATE until you have those intials added to your checks.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Last I checked, anesthesiologists, dermatologists, and "opthomologists" (sic, the correct spelling is ophthalmologists, but whatever) are still considered physicians, "doctors," and have attending medical school.

Maybe I'm disillusioned. Perhaps you are.

I think this comment was made in jest. 😎

 

[Blade28]

So you're supposed to add "MD" whenever you sign any medicolegal form?

 

[southerndoc]

So you're supposed to add "MD" whenever you sign any medicolegal form?

If you are an MD and if the form/document is related to medicine/patient care, then yes.

ANY patient-related document that you sign should have your designation -- be it RN, EMT, MD, DO, PA-C, whatever.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

1. Wearing you medical student ID badge to bars.

Dude, I've actually seen this! I've also seen people go to bars in their scrubs, especially when their homes are between the hospital and the bar.

The worst (and hilarious) thing I've seen was when I was an undergrad at Hopkins. Plenty of undergrads there do research at the medical school and hence get JHMI name badges. So they walk around campus and even go to bars (well the really pathetic ones) with this stupid name badge dangling on a necklace. It's like hello!!! You're not a med student at Hopkins...yet...

 

[oompaloompa]

Absolutely.

Other faux-pax:
1. Wearing you medical student ID badge to bars.

ha! I remember a time when I would have been proud to say I was a med student, but now I do everything to avoid being identified as one. Where I live in Houston, (near the med center) pretty much everyone you meet is connected to the healthcare profession in some way, so they're not impressed that you're a med student. What's really embarrassing is the short white coat that is the universal indicator of your non-existent status. We like to call it our "Invisibility Cloak", just put it on and instantly it's like you're not even there! Perhaps a flashing neon sign that says PEON would be more subtle. But hey, everyone has to go through it.

 

[southerndoc]

Ah, but the short white coat gives us residents reason to call you "med student." Just today one of the med students was blocking the whiteboard, and I had to say "hey med student, can you move over a bit so I can read the board?"

 

[f_w]

> In my hospitals they don't care what's in the signature, they just
> want us to write our license number after it. That's how they
> really identify us. Many of us use stampers as well that have
> our names and numbers. Incidentally the stamps that are
> made for us by the hospitals have MD or DO after the name.

At one hospital I did my residency at, we received one of these self-inking stampers on day #1. It contained our hospital internal residents number and name and title. The attendings NPs and PAs had stamps with their name and state license #. No order would be picked up unless it had a signature and stamp on it. The stampers were a bit bulky, many people went and had a smaller one made at kinkos. (Actually, no order would be picked up unless you stood in front of the nurse and politely pointed out that it was already an hour old. Stamp or no stamp. If you came back later, you noted that the 'time picked up' and the medication administration record were 'fixed' to cover the delay....)