Do you call your physicians by their first name?

[I<3H2O]

Is it common practice for the nurses to call the physicians by their first names at your hospital? Vice versa?

[RNLisa]

It's only disrespectful to address the physician by their first name if they address you by your last name. Very simply, address the physician as they address you... It is important that we be recognized as professionals and equals. Each discipline is unique in its role in health care and each discipline is essential for health care...

The physicians where I work call me by my name, Lisa. Most don't even know my last name, since my badge only has my first name and title after it. I just feel that it is important to call them by Dr. that is how I was brought up and how everyone I work with refers to the docs. Even the ones we don't necessarily respect, we don't call him any different (at least in his presence, lol). Yes we are professionals, but we are NOT equals. If we were equals, I'd be making mega money and not have to worry about financial situations.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Residents and PAs - we use first names.

Attendings and Surgeons - Dr.____

Some of the senior MDs - uhhh, better not try and get too chummy with 'em :uhoh21: They still belong in age of "nurses=hand maidens".

cheers,

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

In the professional setting i only use their title with proper name. If i am in a social setting (school function with kids, athletic meets/games) i may use their first name. It depends on how long ive known them and what the function is we are attending at the same time.

[loricatus]

Only when I am at the patient's bedside I will address the doctor by dr. last name; otherwise, I use their first name. This is providing I can remember the name in the first place. The badges always seem to be turned around, so looking at them doesn't help a bit. I won't answer if I am addressed just as 'nurse', I just ignore it like I am deaf.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Interesting thread. In my facility, as in the others around mine (we all share info, lol) all the doctors are called by their titles. Residents, too, as they still have MD after their names. So it's "Dr. Smith", yes. "Bob", absolutely not. For nurses, it's always the first name, always. Fair? Who knows. But it's the accepted norm. I think I'd have more of a problem with a physician referring to me as "Nurse Johnson" than "Becky"! Perhaps it SHOULD be "Nurse Johnson", but I'm not entirely comfortable with that. Smacks of the 1950's soap opera image, in my mind.

Docs I have known for years I still call by their title and last name. When out socially, if I happen to bump into one, I'll introduce him to my husband as "Dr. Bob Smith". :)

[fergus51]

I address doctors however they prefer to be addressed and tell them to address me the same way. If they want me not to use their last names, I expect them to use mine. Most of us are on a first name basis since we work so closely together.

[Sweden]

Hi

It´s a cultural thing, here in Sweden most people call a person by his/hers first name. I can´t think of anyone I would call sir or by the last name (possibly the royal family?!). Officials, doctors, teachers are all called by his/hers first name.

At work everyone is on first name basis just like every other workplace I can think of in Sweden. Parents and patients in my unit (nicu) call them by first names too. Some elderly patients use last names but they are the only doing it.

I have great respect for the work they do as doctors but don´t understand why they should be treated differently than anyone else in the work place.

I certainly think I have equal value as a nurse compared to a doctor and any doctor who doesn´t think so would find it extremely difficult to work at my unit! That is not the same thing as me saying that we have the same role, but they are not above me, we are a team. There is no use in doing complex surgery if doctors don´t have excellent nurses doing their part after the surgery!

I would laugh if someone called me nurse Johnsson, it sounds really silly!

Anna

[icie rn, ADN, RN]

Residents, Pa's, and MD's are Doctor or MS/MR in front of patients. Doctors I do not like are always Dr. Otherwise we call them what they wish to be called in break room, (@#$*****) does not count.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

no way... i don't want to get to know them that well.. yuck.. but my brotherinlaw is a doc and i call him by his first name..