Not a doctor but is asking to be called "Dr" while on the unit.

MermiesGreatGig · Dec 2, 2009

Pick your battles...call her "doctor".

Fiona59 · Dec 2, 2009

We had a situation like this on a mental health unit I once worked on. The patient involved was actually a doctor, referred to our unit by the medical examiners board. We told her that she was not on the unit as a doctor and she would be referred to like any other patient.

This one I can understand.

Otherwise, like others have said, pick your battles

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 2, 2009

Now that I clearly understand the situation, I agree with the others. She is a doctor and entitled to use that designation. She just can't practice medicine. I would have no problem calling her doctor.

kanzi monkey · Dec 2, 2009

We had a situation like this on a mental health unit I once worked on. The patient involved was actually a doctor, referred to our unit by the medical examiners board. We told her that she was not on the unit as a doctor and she would be referred to like any other patient.

this just may be an example of when using the title "doctor" interferes with treatment. Definitely important to maintain the integrity of the milieu in psychiatric care.

Sniper RN · Dec 2, 2009

Two of my instructors are doctors. They have a phd in education. Do you think I call them Dr. So and so? You better believe it! They earned it. It should be respected. Weather licences to practice medicine or teach or just have the degree they are still and always will be Doctor.

iPink, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

Am I missing something as to why this is an "issue" in your unit? Call her doctor, she earned it, regardless if it was revoked later. She didn't ask you to refer to her by Captain Crunch. Sorry to make light of it, but her license being revoked shouldn't be your concern except for the Directors who decide to hire her to practice. At that point, that's when that information is relevant and should be of any concern.

rn4ever? · Dec 2, 2009

Just to clarify again, I guess I needed to be more specific about the question. She is a patient in the unit but she wants to be called Dr. because she used to be a medical doctor some place else (I’m not talking about a PhD) and her license was revoked due to drug-related issues recently. And since we are a Detox/Psych unit, I wasn’t too sure if that would be okay or would have some repercussions later on. She is not demented nor is she hallucinating. Although she nicely asked to be called “Dr.”, I kinda got uncomfortable when she started saying that her pain meds dosage need to be raised etc. and that she knows what she’s talking about because she’s a doctor. So I was wondering, given that situation, what would have you exactly said to her? Note that with the way she acts too, she thinks that not all the staff members know about her license being revoked.

allnurses Guide · Dec 2, 2009

She's a doctor. I would call her doctor. If she wanted to be called Miss America I'd call her that, too.

rn2bnwi, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

i guess i look at it as you are her advocate , your job is to provide non-judgmental care to her. She has the right to automony and to question or make request for meds. she is educated in medicine and she is fully entitled to share her opinions and her desires in her care. kwim? im not sure how that is uncomfortable.... just because she has an addiction and has had her license yanked doesn't mean she shouldn't have an active voice or deserve to be treated with respect. how would their be any implications by referring to her as dr? i just don't get it. and depending on the medical board the other people on the floor may not have a good handle on what the situation with her license really is. a dr that i went to church with growing up was addcited to ritilian and there was a big public scandal on it two or 3 times throughout his career. he had to jump through a lot of hoops but he did get get his license back every time after meeting the treatment stipulations and paying the fines ect.... I stand by treat her as a patient, refer to her how she would like to be referred and don't worry about the current state of her license....its not relevant .

sharpeimom · Dec 3, 2009

call her by her earned title if that's what she prefers. she also has the right to participate in her care and tx plan. not because of her medical education, but because she is a patient, and patients have the right to oversee their care. the fact that she is in rehab doesn't negate that right entirely. different people who are entitled to use the title "dr." feel various ways about using it. for example, my grandfather was a dentist and his generation called him george, but younger people called him dr. ____

absolutely without fail. our neighbor is a retired ob/gyn and everyone calls him by his first name -- patients, friends, and he's in his 90's. my husband has a phd and doesn't care what people call him. this patient has lost a lot. her practice, community respect, social standing, her income, her self-respect, her title... calling her by title seems like a small thing unless it is interfering with her recovery process and that's for her physician to take on. my mom used to say to choose my battles carefully.

one more quick thought... i had a major stroke six years ago caused by an aneurysm that ruptured when i was a baby. i no longer hold a current rn license. am i still a nurse? until i die. while i no longer am a practicing nurse, i have retained my education. same with this woman.

kathy

shar pei mom:paw::paw:

oregonchinamom · Dec 3, 2009

i would have a concern if the other patients in the unit hear you addressing her as doctor that they may ask for medical advice and she may give it. if this is not the case, i would have no problem.

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2009

Just to clarify again, I guess I needed to be more specific about the question. She is a patient in the unit but she wants to be called Dr. because she used to be a medical doctor some place else (I’m not talking about a PhD) and her license was revoked due to drug-related issues recently. And since we are a Detox/Psych unit, I wasn’t too sure if that would be okay or would have some repercussions later on. She is not demented nor is she hallucinating. Although she nicely asked to be called “Dr.”, I kinda got uncomfortable when she started saying that her pain meds dosage need to be raised etc. and that she knows what she’s talking about because she’s a doctor. So I was wondering, given that situation, what would have you exactly said to her? Note that with the way she acts too, she thinks that not all the staff members know about her license being revoked.

Now that you've clarified, I'd say you need an answer from the higher-ups. As someone else stated, the rules on a psych unit are a bit different from on the floor. And her using her title to get a med increased, "because she knows better since she's a doctor" also needs to be addressed. You know, if she presents that type of arguement to you, you can gently remind her that while you appreciate her background and knowledge, currently she is the PATIENT and under the care of a physician who will be writing orders for her meds. While she's definitely welcome to talk to her physician, you must follow THAT physician's orders, not the patient's. And you may encourage her to just allow herself to be the patient and not be the doc for once...she's obviously on that unit for a reason. Just some thoughts.

Just a follow-up thought: this would definitely be a situation that needed to be brought up at a staff meeting. You, as staff, will probably need to present a united front with this patient. Good luck.