[suzanne4]

Funny thing is that I never seen anyone that has a PhD in the health care field go into a patient's room and introduce themselves as Dr. Mary or whatever, they never bring up the title Dr. And this goes for nurse practitioners, dieticians, etc. that have attained that degree.

But I have seen medical students go into a room and introduce themselves as Dr. ----------. and then add in I am a medical student very softly.

Now you tell me which is the correct way to do things?

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by DutchgirlRN

I don't know whose end you're referring to but it draws no conclusion for me. I think that's an unfair statement.

I was going to say something similar. I am on another thread right now where a poster, an MD, as a matter of fact, claims to represent the entire mainstream medical community. For me, in the end this is all about someone who has earned a doctorate calling herself a doctor.

[yellow finch]

Originally Posted by DutchgirlRN

I work with Radiologists and they know "zip" about medications. I've had them tell me "if we had a code I'd probably pee in my pants" or "a code is my worst fear". Are they good radiologists, yes! Exceptional! Every has their place. The trick is to not over-step it. My dh was at the oncologist and saw a NP, when she left the room he said "Thank You Dr", she turned and said "No I'm a nurse, a nurse practitioner, but you're quite welcome". That's practicing responsibily IMHO

Wish I'd read this sooner. We had a code in CT the other day. At first they called for a Radiologist, then Respiratory, then the code. Would have been interesting to watch them pee themselves. Especially the smarmy ones.

[kindaquazie]

I am currently in the University of Arizona DNP program. I occasionally run into this same type of discussion. It has been established that physicians do not have a monopoly on the title of Doctor. Many professions are requiring their members to be doctorally prepared to practice, Pharmacists and Audiologists are only two. The Nurse Practitioner who is doctorally prepared should introduce his or herself in a manner that is not confusing for patients. "Good morning, I am Dr. Jones, a nurse practitioner working with the neurosurgery team here at XYZ hospital." We have a PA who routinely introduces himself as "Hi, I am James (not his real name) with neurosurgery." Every patient who meets him thinks he is a neurosurgeon. It is dreadful. I think if physicians want to be clear about titles, they should introduce themselves as medical doctors. As for those who refuse to quit beating this dead horse, I have one word for them, Podiatrist.

[dhigbee]

You forgot chiropractor and optometrist.

[kindaquazie]

Please Please Please do not use the term mid-level provider or Physician Extender. These are both incredibly limiting and when you think about them. I prefer the terms "advnced Practitioner" or "Tandem Practtioner" when an NP or DNP works with a team of other professionals. Physician extender sounds, well, pornographic, and mid-level puts RNs down and elevates physicians when in fact nursing and medicine are separate disciplines that cannot be compared on a continuum. Thank you, my two cents.

[kindaquazie]

Pharmacists are IN primary care. They are an invaluable asset to our hospitalized patients. They perform all the kinetics necessary to dose dangerous drugs such as order lab tests and adjust the doses based upon those labs. At St. Jude's Childrens' Research Hospital, they have essentially one pharmacist for every 2 beds. That is 25 pharmacists for a 58 bed hospital. They value the pharmacist at the best children's research hospital in the country. Physicians do not have the time or the skill to do this. Pharmacists and in some places, qualified Registered Dieticians dose the TPN to individualized specifications so that nutrition is optomized. They also order the laboratory work to manage it. In a perfect world, every patient would benefit from a the collective talents of a healthcare team that is fully able to integrate knowledge of disease pathogenesis, holistic nursing care, expert chemistry and microbiology processes, and pharmacotherapy, thereby optimizing the therapy for each individual. If that means EVERY person on my healthcare team is a DOCTOR then I am a happy consumer of healthcare. This does not dilute the title of doctor, but assures me that I am getting healthcare deliver from every profession at the highest level.

[kindaquazie]

Na, I just find it ironic that a physician has no problem sharing the title with someone who is only allowed to practice on tissue bellow, but not including, the knee.

[kindaquazie]

Actually, nowhere in my state's nurse practice act nor in my employment contract in the hospital does it say that I am to perform physician's orders. In fact, if said orders are inconsistent with quality patient care or established standards, then I am supposed to refuse to perform them and use the chain of command to protect patients. I interact with physicians, pharmacists, NPs, DNPs, and PAs on a daily basis, and carry out their orders in a collaborative practice that promotes quality healthcare delivery.

[santhony44]

Personally, the term "physician extender" always reminds me of one of those gadgets you buy to reach things on high shelves.