I remembered reading an old post awhile ago where an NP (who got her DNP) was told by Human Resources that she couldn't use the title "Doctor" at the hospital, because it would mislead the patients.
I am wondering if anyone has seen or heard anything similar where they work (you personally or someone else).
If hospitals are "all about introductions", I see nothing wrong with telling a patient, "Hi, I'm Dr. Smith, I'm a Nurse Practioner"...I see no difference between that and saying, "Hi, I'm Dr. Jones and I'm your Cardiologist".
To me, that would be a HUGE slap in the fact to someone who has worked hard for that degree, because they are entitled to use that title.
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I worked at one teaching institution where almost everyone who was entitled to use the title "Doctor" did so. Physician, PharmD, psychologist, and so forth. One one unit, it was common for patients to encounter non-physician doctors, and there never seemed to be too much confusion. "Hello, I'm Dr. Smith. I'm the neuropsychologist and I'm here to administer your test today" seemed to suffice.
The only non-physician Doctor I knew of in that institution who did not use that title that I can recall was the NP with the EDD. I'm not sure if that was her idea, or that of the physician she worked with, who tended to be just a shade on the controlling side.
IMO, anyone with an earned doctorate should be able to use the title.
I see nothing wrong with telling a patient, "Hi, I'm Dr. Smith, I'm a Nurse Practioner"...I see no difference between that and saying, "Hi, I'm Dr. Jones and I'm your Cardiologist".
Only because they have been taught to equate those two terms by physicians who tried to seize control of the health care system. If we teach the public something different, they will no longer think that way.
It sounds like some sort of conspiracy when you discuss it in those terms. As I expressed in an earlier post, the colloquial term doctor has been interchangeable with the term physician for literally hundreds of years -- even where physicians are without doctoral degrees. I realize that we are in the U.S., but this convention has existed here since British physicians staffed our first medical school in 1765 (google it), long before there were mid levels from whom to "seize control" of the health care system -- and certainly long before the AMA.
Why so much animosity? This entire issue is really unfortunate, petty semantics, fueled largely by ego.
It sounds like some sort of conspiracy when you discuss it in those terms. As I expressed in an earlier post, the colloquial term doctor has been interchangeable with the term physician for literally hundreds of years -- even where physicians are without doctoral degrees. I realize that we are in the U.S., but this convention has existed here since British physicians staffed our first medical school in 1765 (google it), long before there were mid levels from whom to "seize control" of the health care system -- and certainly long before the AMA.
Why so much animosity? This entire issue is really unfortunate, petty semantics, fueled largely by ego.
The more I read of health care history, the more I see that physician groups have acted purposefully, in a unified way to solidify their control of the health care industry. Unfortunately, nurses have not been so organized, nor as successful in gaining and using power. As I grow older and develop a greater understanding of the political underpinnings of our profession's problems, I grow increasingly radical. Perhaps, as the end of my career comes into clearer view, I am less willing to wait patiently for change and less tolerant of those who block our progress.
The idea has been floating around "out there" for a while -- I've heard of it before now. Some pharmacists are pushing for Rx authority for pharmacists. The UK is already piloting a program, but I don't know any of the details. I did a quick Google search just now, and here are a few links:
If you bring in a prescription, for let's say, Ambien to a Walmart Pharmacy, and the original prescription calls for 30 pills and Walmart only has 15....the Pharmacist can WRITE you a prescription for the other 15 so you can take them to Walgreens, etc. and get them filled.
If you bring in a prescription, for let's say, Ambien to a Walmart Pharmacy, and the original prescription calls for 30 pills and Walmart only has 15....the Pharmacist can WRITE you a prescription for the other 15 so you can take them to Walgreens, etc. and get them filled.
Yes, but that's just manipulating how the original Rx that was written by the physician/NP/PA is dispensed. The pharmacist is only "writing" the Rx in the sense of moving the pen across the paper. That's very different from you walking into Wal-Mart, discussing with the pharmacist that you've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately, and the Wal-Mart pharmacist deciding that it would be safe and appropriate for you to take Ambien and prescribing it for you ...
You know that horrible "Dr. Laura"???? One would think she is a Psychologist...she has her PhD in nutrition NOT Psychology.
Now THAT is misleading.
I totally agree. Professionals have an obligation to communicate clearly in matters related to their credentials. It all comes down to being clear and complete in that communication with each an every relationship.
Yes, but that's just manipulating how the original Rx that was written by the physician/NP/PA is dispensed. The pharmacist is only "writing" the Rx in the sense of moving the pen across the paper. That's very different from you walking into Wal-Mart, discussing with the pharmacist that you've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately, and the Wal-Mart pharmacist deciding that it would be safe and appropriate for you to take Ambien and prescribing it for you ...
THAT is NEVER going to happen.
Can you imagine the liability?
They will revoke/suspend the license of a Physician who consistently writes prescriptions on patients with no record/history of any type of physican exam....so why in the world would the USA allow this same practice for Pharmacists?
Pharmacists are simply not taught the same things as a physician or even a nurse practioner.
Healthcare providers find the disease/ condition and find the drugs or drug combination to treat it
The Pharmacist is ONLY concerned with how that medication will adversely affect the body, if the dosage is consistent with the medication, and how that same medication acts with other drugs/supplements/OTC's.
Notice when a physician writes you a prescription...he doesn't even write down what it's for? You know why? Because it's the job of the physician and not the pharmacist, to make that decision.
Unless a Pharmacist really wants to tick a doctor off, have you ever had a pharmacist say, "Why did he write you a prescription for ____ when ____is so much more effective?"
Because:
1. He isn't qualified to make that decision...he hasn't done a physical/health history/labwork on the patient.
2. His only job is to make sure that the medication falls in the above criteria.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Patients get confused anyway. How many of them automatically jump to the conclusion that every male is a doctor and every female a nurse? More than most of us would like, I bet.
If proper introductions are done and the DNP practices within the scope of their own specialty, why shouldn't they be able to use the title they've earned?
santhony44, MSN, RN, NP
1,703 Posts
I worked at one teaching institution where almost everyone who was entitled to use the title "Doctor" did so. Physician, PharmD, psychologist, and so forth. One one unit, it was common for patients to encounter non-physician doctors, and there never seemed to be too much confusion. "Hello, I'm Dr. Smith. I'm the neuropsychologist and I'm here to administer your test today" seemed to suffice.
The only non-physician Doctor I knew of in that institution who did not use that title that I can recall was the NP with the EDD. I'm not sure if that was her idea, or that of the physician she worked with, who tended to be just a shade on the controlling side.
IMO, anyone with an earned doctorate should be able to use the title.