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Does anybody here feel like I do regarding calling nurses by their first names and doctors are called Dr. so-and-so?
I think this adds to the god-complex that physicians sometimes have which nurses and other hospital employees help perpetuate.
I don't like calling the physician by Dr. so-and-so while he or she calls me Peggy. I've discussed this with other nurses and they don't really seem to have any problem with it. Why is it acceptable for us to use formal address when talking with physicians and they use informal when addressing us? Why aren't we called Nurse so-and-so in order to receive the same level of formal address that physicians get?
I recently started a new job at a hospital that prides itself in not perpetuating the physician-god-complex, however, physicians are very much addressed using the formal while they don't extend the same respect to those with whom they work. When introducing myself to one of the physicians, I asked him how he wanted me to address him and he replied, "Dr. (blank)." I said is this only in front of patients or all the time. He looked at me with a bit of a question and responded with, "Well, really only in front of patients. My name is David and that is what you can call me." I smiled, shook his hand and told him my fist name. Would it have been rude for me to smile, shake his hand and ask him to call me Nurse (blank) had he requested that I always address him as Dr. (blank)?
Nurses are in a somewhat different position though, we aren't the primary provider nor are we billing the insurance companies. Yes, patients should know their doc's last name.
But the run of the mill patients in my ER have no need of my last name. I can be identified by my first name and the time/date that I'm there. My colleagues and fellow student/faculty know my last name because they have a need to know for different circumstances.
The docs that I call by first name are either the ones younger than me, or the ones who use their full names with patients. The doc who tells a patient "I'm Joe Cool and I'm the attending physician here" is the one I'll call by the first name, away from patients of course. The doc who introduces him/herself as Dr Cool, well, that's how I'll address them too.
I do find I am more comfortable addressing male docs by their first names than women docs. I have no clue why.
It's all so interesting, isn't it.
Years ago, I was at my doctor's office as a patient. I was seeing a physician new to the practice. He walked into the exam room, and said "Hi, _____. I am Dr. soandso." I responded with a handshake and replied "You may call me Ms. ______, as long as I have to call you Dr." He laughed, and told me to call him Bill.
Much depends on the part of the country one is in, or the prevalent usage in particular medical setting.
In general, use the first name only when familiar or friendly. Some places only use last names: Doctor Smith, Nurse Jones. One does not use the term Doctor for someone with a PhD. Always use Doctor for physicians in private practice. Many surgeons see themselves as individuals, cowboy types, who like to be called by their first names, and sometimes by a nickname.
All administration people are called Mister Smith or Ms. Jones. Patients are to be refered to as "Mr. Smith in Room 112" or "Ms. Jones is scheduled for surgery at 8.30am".
OMG! I just did an experiment for three weeks so far on having patients and other staff call me 'nurse' and by my last name!
I have been treated more professionally by patients, and since I am not on a first name basis with patients...they don't load up on me with complaints or tasks as they did when I was using my first name!!!!! I was shocked and HECK YES...I will continue this!!!!!!
I call my patient by their last name and approprite title, Docs by theirs...nurses...whatever they go by by their choice....it is turning out great. Okay I get teased every once in a while, but they are seeing the benifits and thinking about doing it too!
Funniest thing of all...this started happening just before I chose to go with my last name. You see...I went from dirty blonde hair to black (and yes...I pulled that off well with my complexion, I am dark brown naturally)...and patients treated me different! I can't explain why, but I noted it right off the bat! I am thinking maybe it has to do with seeing my eyes better (I have very light blue staring eyes...). It made a difference as well, although oddly!
Anywhooooooo...yep, last name and dark hair from this day on!
Oh yeah, I also call MD's by their professional title not just out of habit, but out of professional respect. It seems natural to me, and the times I have called them their first name, by accident, it was typically a friendly 'because I know you" deal, like saying when they look ill or helping on an individual level...because saying "Doc so in so...you look pale, are you feeling okay? just doesn't have the same ring as the first name...that becomes socially personal, and I use that when I am being such...AND away from the RN desk or other people when I do that!".
The hardest part for me was (and is) the transition from the years I did ALF and calling people honey or sweetheart (that was preferred at that facility to establish a 'home' quality and family style trust...). I say it on occasion now automatically...and correct myself...typically with a joke or two "oh my...did you hear that...sorry, I think I may like you very well and it busted out!" or "oh now..you see that...just called you hon...dog gone it quit being so wonderful, you are making me all mooshy!"...or things like that! I don't mind if they call me hon or sweety myself...I know I have gained favor if they do!
I will probably get a bit of flack for this response but oh well this is an open forum and if we all agreed their would be no need to discuss..... right?
I am not sure that calling an MD, Dr. So and So is as much for the benefit of the Dr. as it can be for the patient sometimes (not that docs don't like it too:p). I think for a patient who is about to have their skull operated on or their heart put on bypass thinking that the surgeon is somewhat a little super human can be comforting. Their title doctor definetly seems to hold some sort of command with most patients and they find this rather comforting. As nurses who deal with doctors on a daily basis we get to be on the little secret that they in fact are not god and even make mistakes sometimes...like the rest of us (shhhh don't tell anyone:chuckle). Nurses roles tend to be on a much more personal and on a relational level that I believe would be a little hindered if we asked out patients to start using titles while addressing us. The first name basis allows patients to feel that they know us a little better as we are involved in a much more invasive level of their lives. We see the pain, hurt, tears, and even joy.....
As far as being a nurse and referring to the MDs as Dr. So and So.... sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, kind of depends on how well I know them. But if I forget their name and am in a pinch sometimes it’s nice to just call them doc and not worry about it.
Plagueis
514 Posts
While I can understand why nurses who work in hospitals would want to white out their last names, I don't think this act would work for all healthcare professionals. For instance, I, and I bet all of you, know the first and last names of your primary care doctor, dentist, gynecologists, and other specialists that you've visited. Do you think that we shouldn't know the last names of those professionals? They could be the target of stalkers, as well.
What about other areas in our life where strangers can find out our last names? For example, our employers and coworkers knows our full names, as do your teachers and classmates, most likely. What is to stop a coworker or a classmate from stalking you? I just wonder at what point should we extend the idea that one shouldn't have to reveal a last name for safety reasons.