Should the "Doctor" title really be an issue?

[SycamoreGuy]

The number one arguement against DNPs using the title Doctor, especially in the clinical setting, is that it might confuse patients. Ignoring the fact the most DNPs clarify that they are not medical doctors, should this even be an issue?My thoughts:- Most patients already think they are seeing a doctor even if you tell them you are a NP or PA- Even if they think you are a MD (so long as you aren't intentionally trying to make them think that) what difference does it make? You might not be trained to the same standards but you are trained to do your job. It's not like you are a carpenter pretending to be a plumber.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

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[dt70]

It is funny it only really becomes an issue when nurses call themselves Doctor. I don't hear an uproar from physicians when chiropractors, psychologists, and/or podiatrists call themselves doctors but the moment a nurse introduces themselves as Dr. X the nurse it is suddenly a crisis of patient confusion and safety. A doctorate is an academic degree, and there are numerous types of doctorates that a person can earn. Any person that earns a doctorate may have a reasonable expectation to be called by Dr. "X". Being a non-physician and being called a doctor does nothing, but harm a select few physician egos.

You can have a doctorate in a field that has absolutely nothing to do with healthcare.

This has been around for a long time.

Many of these people with doctorates outside the

medical field, would be extremely upset if you didn't refer them as doctor. Teachers are the worse with this in my experiences.