What do you call the Doc?

[Flipper911]

I have noticed the rules are different at each place I work. In the units we usually are on a first name basis with all the physicians. We all know each other and it is a very good atmosphere.

In the teaching facilities where I have worked all the residents are called by their first name, not to be disrespectful - just that was how it always done.

I once had a resident ask my name and I gave my first name and she held out her hand and replied, "I am Dr Hassan". I read her badge (Margaret Hassen) and said, "nice to meet you Maggie".

I don't understand how some nurses feel it is disrespectful to call a physician by the first name. I know nurses that still give up their chair and call every physician DR Whatever. If they come find me and use my first name then I gonna use theirs and have not had much issue with that.

The one exception I do make is when I call about a patient. In those cases, I do call them by Dr Whatever. Even if every other time I run into them it is Bill or Rob. Just an odd quirk.

Just wondering what is the norm for others?

[Flying ICU RN]

Anyone having earned an MD, Phd etc, is entitled to be addressed as Dr. if they so desire. As it is anyone else's to be addressed as Mr. Ms. Mrs., etc.

It is proper etiquette to let the other person (whether CNA or MD) take the lead on how to be addressed.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

Where I work it really depends on the doctor, residents are usually called by their first name, older docs are referred to as doctor so and so. We have this one emergency doctor who likes to call the nurses by their last names, for example; Nurse Whitman has the patient given us any urine yet... I think it is so funny.

[Asystole RN]

I address all MDs as Doctor unless otherwise directed by them out of respect for their position, not the person.

I in return expect to be called Nurse Asystole or Mr Asystole RN.

[hazyblue]

In third person, I use their titles but when I speak to them I address them as Sir/Ma'am.

[MissPiggy]

I call them all doc unless told otherwise - it is friendly while still acknowledging their position

without groveling, which I refuse to do. I have yet to get a complaint.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

Replied, "I am Dr Hassan". I read her badge (Margaret Hassen).

Is she a real patient? If so, it is best not to use their names here.

Anyway,I wouldn't call docs by their first name unless I know them well. I don't think it's professional to call them by name. Same with professors.

[Flipper911]

Replied, "I am Dr Hassan". I read her badge (Margaret Hassen).

Is she a real patient? If so, it is best not to use their names here.

Anyway,I wouldn't call docs by their first name unless I know them well. I don't think it's professional to call them by name. Same with professors.

Duh! I would not use the real name.

[redessa]

I call people by whatever they address themselves to me. I guess I can see where if this Dr. called you by first name that you would do the same in return, but I certainly would not assume she uses any sort of nickname. At best, it implies a more intimate relationship than you actually have. At worst, it can be an attempt at demeaning the person. Either way it can make you look foolish.

I know a man who's first name is Gerald. He'll have people, an airport worker for example, see his ID and start calling him Jerry. Drives him nuts, especially considering he doesn't even go by Gerald (much less Jerry) but uses his middle name. He just looks at them completely unamused and says "I'm not Jerry." I also know a Matthew who does not go by Matt - ever. If he introduces himself to you and you say "Hi,Matt," he'll just look at you and repeat, "My name is Matthew." Neither of these are comfortable situations for the person who made the assumption of choosing a nickname for someone else.

[kakamegamama]

If I know them personally, I will call them by their first name--UNLESS I am referring to them to someone else,ESPECIALLY the patient. As to the comment by a poster about calling professors "Dr." if they have a doctorate---I've done both--but first name only by the professor's request. And, being a PhD myself, I would tell students they could call me by my first name, UNTIL, I discoverd that relationships were actually BETTER when they called me "Dr.". Not sure why....

[GreyGull]

In front of patients we will us address the doctors by their title and last name even if they are a resident. Outside of the room we can call them by their first name. We may use first names with some of the attendings but not all. There are some that I have known for 30 years and still can not bring myself to call them by their first name just because of the relationship and respect that has been generated over the years. There are CNAs and unit secretaries that we will also always address as Mrs. _______ just because of the number of years they have been there and it just seems appropriate. Others we call whatever they wish to be called. We also respect different customs for addressing people from other countries. We're versatile and will work with whatever makes people feel comfortable.

[Flipper911]

I call people by whatever they address themselves to me. I guess I can see where if this Dr. called you by first name that you would do the same in return, but I certainly would not assume she uses any sort of nickname. At best, it implies a more intimate relationship than you actually have. At worst, it can be an attempt at demeaning the person. Either way it can make you look foolish.

I know a man who's first name is Gerald. He'll have people, an airport worker for example, see his ID and start calling him Jerry. Drives him nuts, especially considering he doesn't even go by Gerald (much less Jerry) but uses his middle name. He just looks at them completely unamused and says "I'm not Jerry." I also know a Matthew who does not go by Matt - ever. If he introduces himself to you and you say "Hi,Matt," he'll just look at you and repeat, "My name is Matthew." Neither of these are comfortable situations for the person who made the assumption of choosing a nickname for someone else.

In my situation she actually laughed. She knew I was making a little fun of her as she stated her name, held out her hand all while puffing out her chest - a resident!! (margaret was not a real name). She remains a facebook friend to this day.