He's being a douche, but yes, he's a doctor and can refer to himself that way.

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Trying to fight gravity on a planet that insists

Anybody can call themselves "Doctor." (What does it mean to "officially" refer to yourself as "doctor," and who "allows" it?)

I might start calling myself Doctor Awesome.

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"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."

Why on earth do you think only MDs are called Dr.?

Nothing however, is more annoying than someone who HAS to be called Dr. I'm a PhD but I generally go by Rich except in settings where Dr. is appropriate.

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Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.

I've got a Ph.D and am called doctor by some. It is a doctorate degree you know! That said, I just go by my first name, though the motivation to get the doctorate was so I could be a character in Lost in Space - I am Dr. Smith. I do answer the phone with "Hello", "Good morning", or if I recognize the number, "Aloha". No obnoxious behavior from me, well at least with respect to the degee.

Sorry that title is already taken.

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"You lie!" The Prophet Joe Wilson

All kinds of people are legally allowed to call themselves "doctor" besides just medical physicians. This includes dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, naturopaths and yes, anybody with a PHD no matter whether of not it is in medical science or in English literature.

AFAIK, originally the only true "doctors" where those that held a doctorate (PHD) and had done original research to earn the PHD. The term "Dr." was later given to the medical profession and others in health related occupations as a courtesy. Also, at one time all medical specialists were called "Mr." and only general practitioners were called "Dr."

MDs, Dentists, other healthcare are Doctors. When publishing or in an academic setting you are Dr. The thing that gets me is in the business world when folks call themselves Dr. So and So. I can see putting on your card First Last PhD. But referring to yourself as Dr so and so in a non-medical business setting is ridiculous imo. As an example I could get a PhD in Art History and work say in a technology career and force everyone to call me Doctor?

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Don't hold back

"I've got a Ph.D and am called doctor by some"


I've got a D.C. and am called doctor be some but most of my chiropractic patients call me by my first name. However I've known some chiropractors who insist that everybody call them doctor. I've always thought that to be a bit of an insecurity thing. I always introduce myself to new patients by my first name and let people call me whatever they want. Most will use my first name but some always still want to call me doctor.

Here's a little tip to determine the medically trained doctors from the douches who are trying to impress others by referring to themselves as "doctors". MD's and DO's typically refer to themselves as physicians, not doctors. So anyone who says they are a doctor, you should ask what was the subject of their dissertation.

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There are three kinds of people, those who can count, and those who can't.

In many states the term "chiropractic physician" is legal. I didn't know that dentists and optometrists were also "douches".

I actually prefer to be called "Maestro"...

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<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
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Sure they can. No I only have a MS. SO that makes me Master. Tell that brother in law of yours to start calling me Master and we'll say its even.

In my very imperfect view of the world (sample size of 1), I associate the term doctor with those who have gone through medical school, passed boards, and are practicing physicians. I view dentists as dentists and optometrists as optometrists. I have no slight against dentists and optometrists, who are very skilled in their area of practice and who no doubt have a certain degree of medical knowledge, and are permitted to write prescriptions for certain controlled substances.

Now, for an important distinction (again, my imperfect world). For a dentist to introduce themselves as Dr. Johnson, for instance, that is fine to me, as long as they are doing it in the setting of their practice. If they are participating at a triathlon and meeting someone for the first time, I would prefer they introduce themselves as their real name and then if asked their profession, mention they are a dentist.

I view anyone who comes out and says, "I'm a Dr", outside of the confines of their practice, as a douche. If they are in fact a physician, they are trying to use that title to impress, in the same way as the academics and the dentist and optometrists.

Hopefully that clears up some things, and then perhaps muddies others! =)

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There are three kinds of people, those who can count, and those who can't.

I know a guy with a PhD in some kind of biological science who some years ago got sued. In court the judge asked him a question at one point. "Mr. Smith, ...." The guy corrected the judged! "Um, that's DOCTOR Smith."

Want to guess whether or not this guy won the case? :-)

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Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
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The D in Ph.D stands for Doctor. Your bro is a Doctor.

You don't like your brother that much, do yo?

I have no problem if they want to refer to themselves that way, but I sure won't.

I associate the term doctor with those who have gone through medical school, passed boards, and are practicing physicians.


That's my point - your view is incorrect as far as legality is concerned. In my neck of the woods the term "physician" is reserved only for medical doctors who aren't surgeons (our yellow pages lists physicians and surgeons0 but as mentioned in some areas the term is allowed to other professions. However virtually everywhere, dentists, optometrists and chiropractors can call themselves doctor. In my thirty years of practice calling myself doctor has never really been a big thing to me. Chiropractors, optometrists and dentists are limited practitioners in their scope of practice - dentists deal with the teeth, optometrists with eyes and chiropractors with musculo-skeletal pain syndromes. Even though its not a big personal deal to me, I've always thought that if dentists and optometrists can call themselves doctors then so should I be allowed to. Fortunately the legislators also agree. However we all make it obvious what kind of doctors we are - doctor of dentistry, doctor of optometry or doctor of chiropractic.

We had a woman in our area who offered "nutritional counselling" but never referred to herself as a registered nutritionist. She also advertised herself as "doctor" and having a PHD in her advertisements. Turns out that her PHD wasn't in nutrition so I thought her adverts were a bit misleading. We also a have a real estate agent in our area that lists his PHD on his real estate listings.

Thankfully, I can have an opinion that differs from the current law without punishment. As an aside, just because something is legal, does not always make it right. Anyone who refers to themselves as doctor, outside of their practice is definitely still a douche in my opinion. I'm also married to someone who can claim that same title, and never does except in practice.

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There are three kinds of people, those who can count, and those who can't.

Sure, and yet of the hundreds of people I know with bachelor's degrees, not one of them is referred to as "bachelor." I have 4 masters degrees and there'd be barely 50 women who routinely refer to me as "master".

Actually, I don't get the idea of titles at all, whether for some few occupations, or academic attainments, or anything else. I don't even use "Mister". For those websites and documents that require a title (why??) I usually go with "His Highness", "Most Exalted Holiness" or a simple "Sir".

Aren't veterinarians also addressed by "doctor?"

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

Not at all, we get along great. I just find it almost funny when he answers his cell phone and says "Dr." in front of his name. Like I said, if I had just finished ten years of school I'd probably want the title to last a little while too. I'm sure he will stop in a year or so.

No he won't. It will get worse. I find it a bit ridiculous. I hate it when people (usually assistants or young associates) refer to me as "Attorney ________." That's my job, not my title. I know a few ass-hat attorneys who answer their phone that way. Makes me laugh.

I believe very strongly in titles in the military, but, I found it pathetic when officers would try to insist that civilians address them by their rank. IMO, it is a courtesy to do so, but, come on, don't expect it. I still address everyone by their rank, even though I am out of the military, but, that is usually something to see with former service members. Civilians should not be expected to address one by his/her military rank.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

My impression of the social protocol is PhD's are called Dr. in academic settings but not outside those. People with clinical doctorate degrees can be called Dr., but MD's seem to have practically co-opted the title for themselves these days.