Wherever I've worked, we always call doctors 'Dr So and So'. I've never been anywhere where they are called by their first name. They call nurses by first name.
I'm old-fashioned in this way. I feel that MDs deserve this respect. I'm in no way groveling and generally enjoy all the doctors I work with, especially the more seasoned, experienced ones. Some of the younger ones have yet to develop into interesting people, and tend to lack great social skills.
I also address my children's school teachers by Mrs or Mr and their surname, even if they try to get on first name basis. I come from a different generation where people were more formal. When I was a girl one did not address any adults but your parents' close friends by their first names.
Is this changing in some places and how do you feel about this subject?
Here's a twist: although I have a PhD in nursing, the physicians with whom I work still call me Teresa, and they still expect me to call them "Dr." - I comply to avoid stirring the pot over a small issue, but it irks me nonetheless.
As I stated in another post, respect is a two way street.
Why should you respect their hard-earned education by calling them Dr, but not be respected in the same way for earning the same title? You earned your PhD, you ARE a Dr.
I used to work for a fairly upscale private home care company when I was a CNA. I actually had 3 people I took care of that were retired doctors. One of them insisted that I call him "Doc" and I kind of picked up the habit from that.
I don't call any of them by their first name. Not that I'm opposed to it, I just don't do it. I just call them all Doc
Here's a twist: although I have a PhD in nursing, the physicians with whom I work still call me Teresa, and they still expect me to call them "Dr." - I comply to avoid stirring the pot over a small issue, but it irks me nonetheless.
In front of patients, only physicians should have the "doctor" title. Its understood to refer to a physician. If you are in a classroom or outside a patient's presence, then you can use whatever title you want.
Yes, anyone who has earned the title (MD, DNP, PhD) I will call Dr. so and so, unless invited to use their first name.
On the other hand, I try not to use the term "the doctor" to refer to "the physician" as there are many other professions in health care that have earned the title "Dr."
IMO, doctor is not a career- it's a title.
If you're gonna go that route, its your responsibility to explain that to patients. Because in their mind, "doctor" = physician, and its not right to mislead them by referring to an audiologist or somebody else as a "doctor" in their presence unless you explain to them that they are not a physician.
Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.
I use the formal title at work. If there are parties outside of work then I use the first name. I like to keep it on a strictly professional level at work.
I guess you can read something as negative if that is how you want to read it.
SOME hospitals may want them to be on equal ground but MOST follow this protocol. Physicians will be quick to tell you if they wish to be called by their first name...but to me, it's a discussion I would rather have them initiate then rather be embarrassed by, "I would rather have you call me Dr. ____ instead". Why set yourself up like that?
Have you ever read a basic etiquette book?
If you ever had (which I suspect you have probably never seen one)....this is one of the standards that you see in just about any of them that you pick up.
It's better to be overly polite than just walk up to Dr. Richard Smith and say, "Hey, Dick, how is it going for you?"
You will also never be incorrect....versus the alternative, or be at risk for coming across as unprofessional.
It takes very little effort and goes a long way. I just choose not to go through life doing bare minimum.
You seem determined to make this into an issue of you being right and everyone who disagrees with you is wrong, unprofessional, does not understand basic etiquette, etc. What you continue to not understand is that at some hospitals it is STANDARD to call each other by first names. The hospital I was at is easily one of the top hospitals in the nation. I worked with some physicians who are almost famous, and yes, I called them by their first name. That is how they were introduced to me, and that is what they wanted to be called.
IMO the respectful course of action is to address a person in the manner in which THEY desire to be addressed. Anything else is *disrespecting* their preference.
If you're gonna go that route, its your responsibility to explain that to patients. Because in their mind, "doctor" = physician, and its not right to mislead them by referring to an audiologist or somebody else as a "doctor" in their presence unless you explain to them that they are not a physician.
I see what you are saying, but I still stand by my point that anybody who earned their title has full rights to its use. However, it should be used as a title only, not to describe a profession.
E.g. Dr. Smith is a Nurse Practitioner/Pharmacist vs. Dr. Smith is a Doctor (the second statement is misleading, but I don't believe the first is)
Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.
I've been asked to call some docs by their first name. It's okay, we are equals and collegues. I have asked some docs to call me Nurse Cay. politics are everywhere.
You seem determined to make this into an issue of you being right and everyone who disagrees with you is wrong, unprofessional, does not understand basic etiquette, etc. What you continue to not understand is that at some hospitals it is STANDARD to call each other by first names. The hospital I was at is easily one of the top hospitals in the nation. I worked with some physicians who are almost famous, and yes, I called them by their first name. That is how they were introduced to me, and that is what they wanted to be called.
You didn't read my post.
I said in MOST hospitals, that is the way it's done.
I never stated that if a physician says it's ok to call them by their first name, that you couldn't....or even shouldn't.
My point, is that you err on the side of caution until you know differently or see a different protocol followed....that is being a professional.
wannabesedated
77 Posts
As I stated in another post, respect is a two way street.
Why should you respect their hard-earned education by calling them Dr, but not be respected in the same way for earning the same title? You earned your PhD, you ARE a Dr.