Is a NP also a " Physician?"

westcoastgirl · Apr 9, 2009

I think the patient didn't know how to describe a PCP and was using the word 'physician' as a substitute. some of my patients do that but when I correct them, they do actually know and remember I am a NP, they just don't know the term "PCP" to describe their primary care provider.

Jo Dirt · Apr 9, 2009

This is actually quite simple. I see them as saying "my NP is my 'physician'"
Any questions?

So, can NPs call themselves physicians?

zenman · Apr 9, 2009

So, can NPs call themselves physicians?

No. Let's see here. Soldiers call medics, "doc" even though they're not. But they are the soldiers "doc." So, a soldier can say to a medic, "you're my doc."

carachel2 · Apr 9, 2009

NO....NPs are not physicians and I am very, very shocked by some NPs I have been with who do not correct the patient.

n_g · Apr 9, 2009

Physician is a protected legal term. Discussion done.

sunray12 · Apr 9, 2009

Physician is a protected legal term. Discussion done.

I thought MD and DO (like RN) were the protected legal terms ....

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 9, 2009

Physician is a protected legal term. Discussion done.

citations, please

n_g · Apr 9, 2009

Look at any state law. "Physician" will be defined as someone who holds either an MD or DO. Ever heard of the phrase, "It is illegal to impersonate a physician"? You can go to jail for that. I guess NP's could amend the state laws so that they are included among "physicians", but then they would be forced to be regulated by the boards of medicine because the state laws also specify that. Discussion done.

JDCitizen · Apr 10, 2009

I don't believe the term is a protected legal term... No proof but 13th century puts it way ahead of MDs.

When I was a floor nurse I was called doctor even though my ID and my scrubs clearly had my title listed. Most of my patients call me doc even though my office is clearly labeled and even though I introduce myself. A lot of my co-workers call me doc. One has to know my real name to know why doc is easier to some. My new patients I correct and any patient / person I believe really has me confused with being a doctor I correct.

I myself am kind of fond of Nurse Practitioner even though I can see how that title can be confusing to patients.. The MSN part is just the education I had to go through to reach my goal and I hardly ever list it.

I am in the customer service business and if the patient knows I am not a doctor and its easier for them to call me doc instead of slaughtering my name and possibly embarrassing themselves I am fine with doc.

As for physician I have not had any patient identify me with that title.... I have not heard the term "physician" used to describe a doctor in a long, long time.

Miss Ludie · Apr 10, 2009

Jo Dirt are you having fun with us here. With over 3000 posts you should be pretty familiar with the various titles. Last you wrote was that you were thinking of going to NP school in Arkansas.

core0 · Apr 10, 2009

citations, please

Colorado

"(d) Using the title M.D., D.O., physician, surgeon, or any word or abbreviation to indicate or induce others to believe that one is licensed to practice medicine in this state and engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of persons afflicted with disease, injury, or defect of body or mind, except as otherwise expressly permitted by the laws of this state enacted relating to the practice of any limited field of the healing arts; "

I'm sure there are others, thats just low hanging fruit.

David Carpenter, PA-C

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 10, 2009

Colorado
"(d) Using the title M.D., D.O., physician, surgeon, or any word or abbreviation to indicate or induce others to believe that one is licensed to practice medicine in this state and engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of persons afflicted with disease, injury, or defect of body or mind, except as otherwise expressly permitted by the laws of this state enacted relating to the practice of any limited field of the healing arts; "
I'm sure there are others, thats just low hanging fruit.
David Carpenter, PA-C

that is a start, doc's lobbying , i am sure...