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

allnurses Guide · Dec 3, 2009

Wondering if this is detox/psych followed by inpatient rehab (ie at least 14-21 days)? I also changed my mind about that request. In attending group and support sessions for family members, I've noticed that the counselors are quite pro-active in the effort to strip the varnish off, so to speak, and get the patient very honest about why they ended up there. To that end, I would imagine they would not refer to her in the group in a way that denotes special status with respect to all other people, who may be a lawyer, CEO, etc. They can tell if the person is sincere, or if they are getting their ticket punched, as part of a mandatory court order.

It's kind of strange that the staff would not know the particulars of the license revocation, since people in rehab need to really face up to what drug/alcohol addiction has cost them. She's already started the manipulation if she's trying to leverage herself more pain meds by using her status as a doctor.

LiverpoolJane · Dec 3, 2009

This may be a little off topic but I was remembering something I was told many years ago about the title Doctor. In the UK if you have a PhD you have a doctorate and therefore have earned the title Dr. As a Physician unless you have a PhD the term Dr refers to you job title as opposed to your acedemic qualifications, in the UK, not sure if it is the same elsewhere, Surgeons are not called Dr but instead have the title Mr, Mrs, Ms Miss - whatever is appropriate.

So the point I am trying to make is if in fact the title Dr is job related rather than academically earned then if this lady is not a practicing Dr she may not be entitled to be called Dr.

I'm sure the rules on this forum are that when choosing you user name unless you are a qualified nurse you cannot have a title that would imply you are one, at least I think that is what I have read.

Just throwing in another point of view, I'm not sure how I would respond to the situation. if I thought she was using it as a way of trying to maniplulate people then I would be more inclined to raise a concern with my line manager. If I thought that addressing her as Dr was not misleading vunerable people and it was helping her psychologically then I would have no problem in trying to maintain what she may see as her last bit of dignity.

lpnflorida · Dec 3, 2009

Well, you are right. That was what I was thinking. She was using the "I know what I'm talking about I'm a doctor" line so that she could try to dictate to me and the rest of the staff the dosage of the meds she should be on. That's when the license revocation becomes relevant in this situation-----if she knowingly prescribed higher than the normal dosages of certain meds before and is still seeking more meds for herself, I wouldn't be comfortable calling her doctor because the other patients might think she is the doctor in the unit and then may ask for medical advice from her as well.

As I read what you have written, you are personalizing this whole thing. A doctor who happens to be a patient on your unit, whether in an attempt to manipulate or simply to share their far greater medical knowledge than you may or may not have, tweaked your nose..

Let it go. If a staff member happens to overhear a patient asking this patient/doctor for medical advice. Then you may or may not have a problem. Meanwhile your patient asked you politely to call them Dr. You don't want to that is your problem not the patient's who deserves to be called what ever they request.

Just my own take on it.

allnurses Guide · Dec 3, 2009

LiverpoolJane;4002847]This may be a little off topic but I was remembering something I was told many years ago about the title Doctor. In the UK if you have a PhD you have a doctorate and therefore have earned the title Dr. As a Physician unless you have a PhD the term Dr refers to you job title as opposed to your acedemic qualifications, in the UK, not sure if it is the same elsewhere, Surgeons are not called Dr but instead have the title Mr, Mrs, Ms Miss - whatever is appropriate.

That's interesting. You just resolved a confusion in my mind when I hear people in the UK calling a "doctor" Mr. whatever, like in the Elephant Man, surgeon is called Mr. Treves. Here, the MD is always called "doctor" whether he has a PhD. or not. If fact, there is actually a controversy here about whether a Nurse Practitioner with a PhD. would even be allowed to call themselves "Dr." because people are concerned that would cause people to mistakenly assume that Dr. So and So, NP, is an MD.

FLmomof5 · Dec 3, 2009

Tough call. My father has a PhD in EE. The only ones that ever call him Dr. is the alumni society from the college he attended. Before my father retired, he was LTC. (Lieutenant Colonel) so he had his own title. Retired or not, he is STILL called LTC when on military facilities.

HOWEVER, when I was a patient at military hospital, I was informed that the patient has no rank. It was not because we should not be recognized for what we acheived....it was more for the ancillary personnel whom we outranked. I could only imagine the poor soul who was treating a high ranking military officer and that officer pulled rank to get something he/she should not. You can see the dilemma.

I would tell her that to call her Dr. may cause the other patients to think that she is delusional.... :cool: LOL! (kidding)

grandmamaryof7 · Dec 3, 2009

I see no reason why she cannot be called Dr. if she is not trying to impersonate a licensed physician.

Although if she no longer has a license to practice, Why is she on the floor.

Mayday! · Dec 3, 2009

I see no reason why she cannot be called Dr. if she is not trying to impersonate a licensed physician.
Although if she no longer has a license to practice, Why is she on the floor.

The "doctor" in question is a patient on the unit.

grandmamaryof7 · Dec 3, 2009

Sorry I guess I didn't realize she was a patient.

Though I still do not see any reason not to call her Dr.

rn4ever? · Dec 3, 2009

Oh, I already let it go! It happened so I cannot undo it. I only asked because I was curious about how you would have reacted and what would you have exactly said. That was my main question.

As I read what you have written, you are personalizing this whole thing. A doctor who happens to be a patient on your unit, whether in an attempt to manipulate or simply to share their far greater medical knowledge than you may or may not have, tweaked your nose..
Let it go. If a staff member happens to overhear a patient asking this patient/doctor for medical advice. Then you may or may not have a problem. Meanwhile your patient asked you politely to call them Dr. You don't want to that is your problem not the patient's who deserves to be called what ever they request.
Just my own take on it.

LPN_2005/RN_10 · Dec 3, 2009

Thank you!

Oh, I already let it go!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 4, 2009

oh, i already let it go! it happened so i cannot undo it. i only asked because i was curious about how you would have reacted and what would you have exactly said. that was my main question.

but you know these threads take on a life of their own, right?

since hearing from all the drug/acohol nurses out there, i want to change my answer, too. if she's using her title as a way to manipulate, then call her mary. or whatever. i've never had any interest in that type of nursing, so i commend those of you who can do it!

kindaquazie · Dec 9, 2009

Regardless of the status of this individual's medical license, she has earned a doctoral degree and therefore is entitled to use the title Dr. As a patient, she is a customer and should be treated with respect and dignity. The circumstances surrounding her medical license is probably not something that should be speculated upon unless she were attempting to practice as a physician. There is no reason to impose added stress upon her. She is entitled to be called Dr. even if she is not licensed to practice medicine.