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

meluhn · Dec 9, 2009

The patient (who used to be a doctor) asks in a nice manner that she be called Dr. so and so while in the unit. But apparently, she lost her license recently, and with the way she acts, she thinks that the staff on the floor doesn't know about her license being revoked recently. How would you handle the situation? What will you tell her?

Technically, if she has a doctoral degree/PHD, she can truthfully call herself a Dr. My old nursing professor used to have all the mds address her as "Dr" in board meetings and such, just to prove a point. I loved that about her!

PIPAKAPEG · Dec 9, 2009

The patient (who used to be a doctor) asks in a nice manner that she be called Dr. so and so while in the unit. But apparently, she lost her license recently, and with the way she acts, she thinks that the staff on the floor doesn’t know about her license being revoked recently. How would you handle the situation? What will you tell her?

While I would still refer to them as Dr, I would question why they are on the unit, if they don't have a current license.

CuriousMe · Dec 9, 2009

While I would still refer to them as Dr, I would question why they are on the unit, if they don't have a current license.

Re-read....they are a patient

allnurses Guide · Dec 9, 2009

In the case I was referring to, the doctor we had on my mental health unit wanted to use her title to separate herself from "them" (the other patients), when in fact she was about the sickest one we had.

That pretty much sums it up. I wonder if some of the people with their indignant responses have either a)read through enough of this to get the full picture and b) are familiar with how detox/rehab treatment centers work.

lillypad274 · Dec 9, 2009

A person with a pHD can be called "Dr. XXX" just as well as a pHD.

People can still be called a "doctor" even if they lose their license to practice or never got a license to practice.

Dr. Kevorkian was in jail and was still referred to as Dr..

There are also other "doctors" such as "tree surgeons" , "rug doctors", "computer doctor" etc.

Maybe the reason that the patient needs to be called "doctor" is that she is feeling that things are out of control because she lost her license. Maybe her self esteem is lacking and by having others call her doctor, it helps. I would just respect her and call her what she has nicely requested, since her being addressed as Dr. XXX as a patient is the same as if she had a pHD in history or philosophy, etc.. I would not let her know that I heard that she lost her license as sharing that info would probably harm her emotionally and I don't see how it would benefit her at all. It would probably also break trust between the nurse -patient relationship.

shah · Dec 9, 2009

If you had a patient who wanted to be called a doctor, there is no harm in calling him/her doctor (if that would be helpful for them in any way), even if they were trying to write prescriptions. Remember, your therapeutic environment is patient centered. It is not there to protect the pecking order of the professionals providing care.

kenni · Dec 9, 2009

I never understood why people call doctors "dr." when outside of practice. like if they were in court, being stopped by a police officer, or reservations @ a restaurant. I understand they went thru a lot to get that title, but I'm not addressed as "nurse" everywhere I go! it's not like it's disrespectful to call them "mr.", "ms.", "sir," or "ma'am"! snob and a half!

fibro2003 · Dec 10, 2009

The patient (who used to be a doctor) asks in a nice manner that she be called Dr. so and so while in the unit. But apparently, she lost her license recently, and with the way she acts, she thinks that the staff on the floor doesn't know about her license being revoked recently. How would you handle the situation? What will you tell her?

Even though the patients are not legally a doctor anymore doesn't mean that you can't call her a doctor its called makeing a person feel respected . because as a doctor given people healthy advice or seeing a person in their hospital bed and attending to them is one thing and then have to be a patient themself is another thing to deal with and cope . only because her liscence is not valid she still has the exsperience as a doctor. So I won't tell her anything and respect her and address her as a doctor.

wyogypsy, RN · Dec 10, 2009

Whether she is trying to separate herself from 'them', meaning the other patients, is understandable. She probably has not yet reached the place where she is able to admit the full extent of her addictions or other problems. Until her managing physician gives orders to not call her doctor, because he/she feels it is detrimental to the patient's therapy and progress, you all need to address the patient as doctor, as she has requested. It really is not your business about her losing her license unless she tries to do things she is no longer allowed to do.

work&play · Dec 10, 2009

People can get doctorate degrees in education, psychology, philosophy, chemistry and on... If they earned the degree they can be refered to as doctors.

A nurse with a doctorate degree can be called a doctor.

A medical doctor earned his Doctorate in Medicine. They don't need to have a license just a doctorate to be called doctor.

makingitright · Dec 10, 2009

The woman is a patient and being reminded of who she is brings her comfort. Why not call her Dr if it makes her feel better about herself? And how is it that everyone knows that this woman has lost her license? Even if she has lost her license to practice, she still has her degree. People are way to judgemental for their own good.

NurseJeanne · Dec 10, 2009

Makingitright, I don't know about other states, but in New York, it is public record if a licensee has lost their license, or has had disciplinary action against them. It's all posted on the NYS licensing website.

The issue of what to call her seems something to be decided by the patient's physician and/or nursing supervisor. If it causes problems with other patients, her doc should speak to her about it. As far as her trying to dictate what her meds should be, I'd have no problem whatsoever letting her know she may be a doctor, but she is not her own doctor. I had a patient many years ago who was a D.O., and he was constantly telling us what to do for him, because he was a doctor, and he knew! After a week of that, I very nicely told him, he wasn't his own doctor AND, I had made nursing judgments about certain aspects of his care taht I felt were best for him. He may have tried that "I'm a doctor thing" on some of the other staff, but I never heard it again!