MDs dont own the physician title

[platon20]

I think there is a lot of confusion on this board about titles. MDs do NOT own the physician title.

In fact, it has been legal for years for a chiropractor to call himself a "chiropractic physician"

Pharmacists, DPTs, and anybody else with a doctoral degree can also use the "physician" title.

In 20 years DNPs will be able to introduce themselves as a "nurse-physician" and it will be totally normal and acceptable.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

agree, NPs will be free to use their doctoral titles

[IcySageNurse]

Um, I don't think "physician" has anything to do with doctoral level education...nor have I ever heard of a pharmacist calling themselves a physician. I think, in fact, that only MDs and DOs may call themselves physicians. It is in fact a protected title.

Perhaps you're thinking of "doctor" - which anyone with a PhD can call themselves, including a "doctor of nursing" degree holder..

Ugh. The things you people post on here...

[ashevilleboxer, BSN]

Interesting

[IcySageNurse]

The Joint Commission has revised the definition of physi-

cian and, as a result of this change, several elements of per-

formance (EPs). These changes apply to the hospital program

and are effective July 1, 2009. Previously, the Comprehensive

Accreditation Manual for Hospitals contained two entries for the

term physician: (1) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy and (2)

as defined by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS) in section 482.12©(1) of the Hospital Conditions of

Participation. The revised definition eliminates the first entry

and replaces the second entry to reflect the CMS definition of

physician as found in Section 1861® of the Social Security

Act. This definition more accurately reflects expectations of

CMS for deemed status purposes. The revised entry for the

term physician in the “Glossary” chapter of the Comprehensive

Accreditation Manual for Hospitals is noted in the box below.

Generally, the term includes the following individuals, as

authorized by state law and regulation:

● Doctor of medicine or osteopathy

● Doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine

● Doctor of podiatric medicine

● Doctor of optometry

● Chiropractor

Why do NP's want to be called physicians exactly? How many toes does this profession wish to step on? This power grab will eventually end very badly.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I assumed that is what she meant, I even autocorrected it in my head!

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

I'm hoping she meant Doctor. Otherwise you are totally wrong about the physician title.

I don't think she is a NP, I could be wrong but from reading her other posts.

Not much credibility.

[mingorn]

Why would you want to be called Dr.? I think the only people who care are academia or people with massive inferiority complexes. Let the physicians have the term, they earned it.

[myelin]

Dear lord this thread made me cringe. MDs (and DOs) definitely do own the physician title. Just like nurses own the nurse title. I assume you meant doctor. Best to proofread, next time.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

Not true. I earned the right to be called Dr.

I'm not in academia and have no issues with inferiority complexes. Although, it sounds as if you may be harboring some inferiority issues.

Why would you want to be called Dr.? I think the only people who care are academia or people with massive inferiority complexes. Let the physicians have the term, they earned it.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Why would you want to be called Dr.? I think the only people who care are academia or people with massive inferiority complexes. Let the physicians have the term, they earned it.

I have no such complex, and while I am a generous lad, I do not throw up my hands and just let anyone have anything of mine that I have rightfully earned, and this would extend to include my rightfully earned doctoral title. I think the people with the inferiority complexes are those too meek to stand up for what is theirs!

[roxxy3773, RN, APRN]

Um, I don't think "physician" has anything to do with doctoral level education...nor have I ever heard of a pharmacist calling themselves a physician. I think, in fact, that only MDs and DOs may call themselves physicians. It is in fact a protected title.

Perhaps you're thinking of "doctor" - which anyone with a PhD can call themselves, including a "doctor of nursing" degree holder..

Ugh. The things you people post on here...[/

A few years ago I worked for a Chiropractor who worked directly for the military. They were titled "chiropractic physician." It is not necessarily exclusive to DOs or MDs.