what do you say?.......

[hello07]

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The other day I started examining a nice 51 year old woman, first time patient. As always, I am friendly with my patients she asks me as I am starting the exam "can I call you X"- by my first name. I didn't know what to say so I told her sure whatever you want. About 10-15 minutes into the exam after the case history she tells me " no I take that back, I should address you as Dr. what is your last name, you studied and went to school sorry about that." I replied, oh, no problem that's fine and laughed and continued with my exam. She was very happy with everything.
My question is: Are these people demented or what? How would anyone handle this? Am I a push over or too friendly with everyone that I loose respect? I just didn't know what to say ? Was she just being friendly and apicable towards me?
Any suggestions would help?

 

[JMU07]

I think she was trying to be friendly but made it really awkward... (it would have been awkward for me, I think). I do agree though, you went to school and earned your degree- you should be addressed as Dr.! If it was a longtime friend, it would be different, but new patients, or patients that don't personally know you should address you as doctor.

 

[KHE]

The other day I started examining a nice 51 year old woman, first time patient. As always, I am friendly with my patients she asks me as I am starting the exam "can I call you X"- by my first name. I didn't know what to say so I told her sure whatever you want. About 10-15 minutes into the exam after the case history she tells me " no I take that back, I should address you as Dr. what is your last name, you studied and went to school sorry about that." I replied, oh, no problem that's fine and laughed and continued with my exam. She was very happy with everything.
My question is: Are these people demented or what? How would anyone handle this? Am I a push over or too friendly with everyone that I loose respect? I just didn't know what to say ? Was she just being friendly and apicable towards me?
Any suggestions would help?

I think that there is little point in this thread because it will likely just stir up the endless debate about who's a "real doctor" and who isn't and that "doctor" really means teacher and blah blah blah blah blah.

But to give an honest answer to the question, I never correct patients who use my first name unless they are 8 years old or something like that, in which case it virtually never happens.

Firstly, I really don't care that much, and secondly I think that by correcting an adult, you are actually being a little bit rude yourself because you likely end up embarassing the person. And Emily Post always says that you should never answer rudeness with more rudeness.

 

[qwopty99]

I don't think this thread is about the perception of optometrists as doctors (or potential lack of). I think it has more to do with the lack of common sense etiquette some patients show.


I actually hate referring to myself as "Dr. Last name". My last name is difficult to pronounce, so I seldom say it, or I'll deliberately pronounce it incorrectly, but in a way that is more easy to replicate. Otherwise, I'll be asked to pronounce it again, which just makes things really awkward, cause the patients never get it right.

I do wear a nametag, so often the patients will call me "Dr. First name", which I find kinda amusing.

 

[eyestrain]

I introduced myself as Dr. Eyestrain for a few months when i first started practicing, but have since given it up. I don't like it. I figure if they're in my office they already know I'm a doctor. To each their own, I guess.

 

[JMU07]

I actually hate referring to myself as "Dr. Last name". My last name is difficult to pronounce, so I seldom say it, or I'll deliberately pronounce it incorrectly, but in a way that is more easy to replicate. Otherwise, I'll be asked to pronounce it again, which just makes things really awkward, cause the patients never get it right.

That's a good point... my last name is difficult too (well, I don't think it is but the rest of the world seems to think so). I'm sure that with children at least, I'll just say, "hey, I'm Dr. N!" and forget about pronouncing my name for them.

 

[r_salis]

I introduced myself as Dr. Eyestrain for a few months when i first started practicing, but have since given it up. I don't like it. I figure if they're in my office they already know I'm a doctor. To each their own, I guess.

I feel the same way.

I started introducing myself with "Hi, I'm Jane Smith" when I first greet the patient. They know I'm a doctor, and because most of my patients are well-educated professionals I feel like it's a fair way to make the introduction. My dermatologist introduces herself that way, and I always thought it was cool.

 

[alferec]

I feel the same way.

I started introducing myself with "Hi, I'm Jane Smith" when I first greet the patient. They know I'm a doctor, and because most of my patients are well-educated professionals I feel like it's a fair way to make the introduction. My dermatologist introduces herself that way, and I always thought it was cool.

I think this is the best way to go...just the other day I heard one of our staff doctors introduce herself with her full name and I thought it was great. r_salis you're absolutely right, the fact that you're a doctor is already implied. But everyone has their own opinions and of course you've earned the right to be called "Dr." if you want to.

 

[MR1]

Coming from an ophthalmologist's opinion, I don't care either. Granted it would be a little weird for a patient to refer to me by my first name, but I really don't care. I also imagine this will be a very rare occurance and doubt it had anything to do with you being nice. I always introduce myself as so and so, and then say I am one of the resident physicians. When I am in practice later, they know (hopefully at least) what doctor they are coming to see so I'll just say Hi I am so and so.

On a side note... qwopty are you an OMD or OD b\c I often get referred by friends and family as an optomologist. I have given up correcting most of them b\c there is no hope 🙂

 

[futuredoctorOD]

OD's need to have some collective "stones" about this one. That patient should address you as "Dr." so and so. You can correct that patient in a friendly way so they don't think you are "the Vision Mart Spectacle Peddler" that they went to get their last Rx from!

My father is a physician and I have NEVER in 20+ years of being around his practice as a child and then working for him EVER heard a patient not call him "doctor" or just address him by his first name. Now after they have established a relationship over time they would call him "Dr. (his first name)" and that was fine. Hello 07, you said you have been practicing for 15 years-----YOU HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE CALLED "DOCTOR" at your graduation 15 yrs ago and especially being a seasoned doctor in the field.

 

[eyestrain]

OD's need to have some collective "stones" about this one. That patient should address you as "Dr." so and so. You can correct that patient in a friendly way so they don't think you are "the Vision Mart Spectacle Peddler" that they went to get their last Rx from!

My father is a physician and I have NEVER in 20+ years of being around his practice as a child and then working for him EVER heard a patient not call him "doctor" or just address him by his first name. Now after they have established a relationship over time they would call him "Dr. (his first name)" and that was fine. Hello 07, you said you have been practicing for 15 years-----YOU HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE CALLED "DOCTOR" at your graduation 15 yrs ago and especially being a seasoned doctor in the field.

If you want to be called Doctor FuturedoctorOD, Optometric Physician, then great, go right ahead. I have no problem with that. But don't go accusing those of us who don't use the term of not having any "stones"

A lot of us aren't all hung up on getting "respect" by throwing the doctor word around. Patients know we're doctors. Most of them call me doctor even though I introduce myself by my first name. I'm sure as hell not going to force them to call me doctor and correct them if they don't. That's about the most pompous thing I can imagine doing.

 

[qwopty99]

As for your story, I think it's hilarious that you'd be called "optomologist" by your own friends/family.