Do we HAVE to address docs by "Dr.--"

[kmokay]

we're all co-workers afterall. just like the guy that mops the floors doesn't call me "ms.--" or "nurse --" nor does the lady that cleans the toilets on our unit. we're coworkers, on the same level. so why must we address docs as "dr.---". Even if they were viewed as our superiors, I don't call my supervisors "ms.--" or "mr.---" I call them by their name, just like they call me by mine. Do docs get offended if you do this. I think its a nice gesture as nurses, but i think it also seperates us as healthcare providers. I mean to me there's an underlying connotation of superiority I think. I usually address them as Dr. so and so unless they ask me not to, but I just don't know the rationale behind this. Also what does it mean to document things aside from patient related info. Like if for a conversation between a nurse and a charge took place regarding the care of a patient that proves to later be critical. or if a staff is abusive, instances like that. Where would one document these things.

[CaliAlli]

So...since we address doctors by "doctor" because of their doctorate degrees....hmm...i think it's only fair to address advanced practice nurses (and all other nurses who've gone on to get their master's degrees) by their degree level! I think MASTER would fit quite nicely with my name someday. I think I shall demand it.:bowingpur :bowingpur

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Are you a BOB and TOM listener?

Yes, at work I always call the Dr. I never address them by first name. Never.

Even the nurses I work with I address usually with their last name only. Or Maam.

[sayitgirl]

They went to medical school, they deserve that honor and respect...

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

They went to medical school, they deserve that honor and respect...

Everyone keeps saying that they went to medical school and deserve the respect. Then how about demanding that they respect us for the work we do? We go to school, we take care of their patients, we are the ones who do the majority of the work for them so they can come into the room talk with the patient for 5 minutes and leave, then we are the ones to explain everything to the patient because they don't want to bother the wonderful doctor.

If they deserve the respect, so do we!

tvccrn

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I only call the doc by his/her first name after they say it's ok.

[twotrees2]

Hm I call all the doctors I know "Dr." to their face or over the phone... one or two that we do not respect as much d/t they are lackadaisical to pt's needs and not respectful of nursing judgment, we call by first name among ourselves, seems like an indication of lack of respect in those PARTICULAR cases.

Maybe it's because I'm younger than all of them at this point, and all the doctors at my hospital have much more experience than I do right now. And on night shift I don't see them as much/get to know them as much.

I still call most of the PCA's and secretaries and almost everyone else who works there, who is older than me, "Ma'am" or "Sir" quite often. It's respect kind of thing, and I guess kind of normal around here too.

On a side note there is a husband/wife pediatrician team whose pts and their parents call them (pseudonym) "Dr. John" and "Dr. Susan" rather than their last name :) it's kinda cute and they are so involved with these families... always call straight into the families' rooms when their kids are hospitalized...

Anyway I'm getting off the point... Like someone said it comes down to respect and to what kind of relationship you have with that doctor.

i have 2 friends one a doc another a surgeon - the surgeon and i were even scout leaders together and he asked me to call him Barry - i did once - it felt so wrong that after that it became Dr Barry LOL - think he got a kick out of it that i just couldn't get past the doc part. i can call em by their first name if they wish but they deserve the doc title - and never first name in front of patients - and some i am close enough to say hey doc g or hey doc l - etc - but just cant get beyond not saying doc. lol.

[twotrees2]

The most important reason for me the address doctors by their name is that it helps bring ME to their level, since the call me by my first name.

It's a psychological thing that actually gives me more confidence.

personally i dont wanna be on their level lol - they have way more responsibility and liability ( though we have our share) then we do - and i would have went to be a doc had i wanted that notoriety. nope - i like being just the nurse lol. besides "excuse me RN tracie or NURSE tracie " sounds kinda stupid lol. tracie is just right for me

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

I do not like it at all. Like you know you meet someone for the first time, and not sure who this person is, and introduce yourself by the first name - and to hear in response "I am Dr. X" - that's pretty pathetic, in my opinion.

exactly, like it says "doctor" on his birth certificate...

get over yourself doc

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I call all the doctors by their title and either last name or DR Mike, I just can't seem to call them by only first name. Some of the really young nurses call them by only their first name. One doctor hates that but is too polite to tell the nurse he hates it. Isn't that cute. He is an older, very nice, well mannered man. It doesn't bother me that I am only "Sally" as several of the doctors have made it clear they respect my opinion and the way I treat the patients. This is something one should earn and not demand.

I am impressed by the time and education that goes into being a doctor, wouldn't want to do it myself, feel good about calling them DR as a small sign of respect.

I am very bad about calling patients by their first name or "honey" etc, but have never had one come back and say they didn't like it. I seem to always get the very sweet and nice patients who are just glad to have someone take care of them.

[augigi, CNS]

I found this very different in the US from Australia. In Australia, I rarely if ever call Doctors "Dr.." - we are all colleagues, and just as they don't call me "nurse", I don't call them "dr" (except in front of patients). Even then, they usually introduce themselves to patients and families as "John Smith", not "Dr Smith".

In the US, I called one of the cardiac surgeons "Bob" and my coworkers almost fell over - they have been there for 20 years and still call him "Dr X" - but he introduced himself as "Bob X", not Dr!