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.
With the docs I know and work with regularly, it's Dr. (Their first name), except for some of the older ones, which I use Dr. (Their last one.) There is one female doctor that I'm friends with, and I would use her first name, but that is a special relationship where our kids are friends. If it's an unfamiliar doctor, I use their Dr. (Their last name.)
Maybe its working night shift and not ever having seen the majority of our doctors I always call them Dr. Last Name. Unless they specifically ask me to call them by their first name in which case I respect that. I go by an abbreviated version of my name, I do not want to be called my full name and I appreciate when people respect that wish of mine.
If I ever become a doctor, I'm even gonna make my husband call me "doctor"
On a more serious note, when it comes to a work related relationship, I always let the other person decide the formality and I follow suit. It's the only polite thing to do, right? I have a coworker who is in his 50's...he's trained to a lower level than I am. I still refer to him by his last name and "Mr" or "sir" because that's what he prefers. Plus, it's a sign of respect to those who are significantly older than you, and if I didn't respect my elders my Daddy would personally come to Alabama and tan my hide LOL
When speaking to nurses, I usually address them by their first name, simply because it's the only one on their nametag. If they prefer their last name, that's what I use.
I refer to the doctors as doctor last name. I've only had one MD ask me to call him by his first name but I just can't bring myself to do it. I also refer to my patients as Mr. or Ms. Last name. I find it somewhat amusing when my patients say "yes, ma'am" to me because I'm 23 and they're in their 80's or beyond. :)
I go by whatever as long as it sounds somewhat similar to my name. My name is hard to pronounce and is spelled weird. As long as there is respect behind the attempt to say my name I respond to it.
I tend to call them by their last names because I'm soooooo bad with names that trying to keep straight both names would kill my brain cells. :)
As I've reached that age where I'm now obviously older than the new doctors, it's become kind of interesting. I'm noticing who "needs" to be called "dr lastname" tends to be the newer unsure ones. Most of the confident ones, if they call you, they'll say "this is firstname" or if they don't know you well, this is "firstname lastname." The ones that are new and I guess still excited about their accomplishment (which is something to be proud of, don't get me wrong) call with a "This is Dr. lastname." Whatever, I go with it. I'm not going to let their insecurity or arrogance, whichever it may be, ruin my day.
It's funny because I do refer to one as "Dr. shortversionoffirstname." One of my coworkers said, "You really call him that?" in shock. Yep, I do. In fact his patients call him that.
We call them all Dr. Lastname. The attendings, residents, and all with doctorates. I don't mind, it is their legitimate title.
However...what does bother me is that nursing is the only discipline that uses the formal titles. The therapists, social workers, even trainees in those fields use first names. It's just the culture of the place that requires nurses and nursing staff to use Dr. Lastname. It's just so hierarchical ugh.
i call them Dr.. and never call them by their first name... calling them by their first name makes work personal .. this is a job and they are the Dr.. call them Dr..
Interns, residents: first names. Most attendings are Dr. So and so. There are a few that ask to be called by their first name, or who are the same age as I am, or who I have helped raise from residency, so they still get called by their first name.
I feel it is safer just to use their title until they tell you, "Oh you dont have to call me Dr Smith, call me Joe!" just because everyone is different
We call them all Dr. Lastname. The attendings, residents, and all with doctorates. I don't mind, it is their legitimate title.
However...what does bother me is that nursing is the only discipline that uses the formal titles. The therapists, social workers, even trainees in those fields use first names. It's just the culture of the place that requires nurses and nursing staff to use Dr. Lastname. It's just so hierarchical ugh.
Plus, it is often one-sided. Nurses are usually called "Janet" or "Bob," not "Ms. Smith" or "Mr. Evans." I've never heard a nurse referred to by her professional title.
I don't understand why anyone thinks it is lowering myself or groveling to call a doctor "Dr ______" instead of using his/her first name. I think it's just POLITE to say Dr. ____. what's wrong with being polite?
If I run into my former nursing school instructors I still call them Ms. ____ or Dr. ___ even though they told us time and again that once we graduated NS we would be professional equals.
FWIW, I'm generation X and not a big fan of rules....but by golly there's nothing wrong with politeness.
SlightlyMental_RN
471 Posts
With the docs I know and work with regularly, it's Dr. (Their first name), except for some of the older ones, which I use Dr. (Their last one.) There is one female doctor that I'm friends with, and I would use her first name, but that is a special relationship where our kids are friends. If it's an unfamiliar doctor, I use their Dr. (Their last name.)