Could you provide proof you are qualified to practice medicine?

[Jim]

There was an individual, local I believe, that was told they could not refer to them self as "Doctor" so-and-so.

So, they simply changed their first name to "Doctor".

[skeptic53]

I am a doctor, of the MD variety, I'm a family doctor. I find it amusing that the less qualified someone is to use the title, the huffier they tend to get if it's questioned.

Some of my patients try (and fail) to get a rise out of me by making a big deal of calling me by my first name. It doesn't usually matter to me at all, it bothers them that I ignore it.

Once, however, I was checking in to my gym. The very young man behind the desk kept using my first name over and over. I'm almost old enough to be his grandfather. "Good to see you <first name>! How was your day, <first name>? Thanks for coming, <first name>! Have a good workout, <first name>!" ad nauseum. I was very tempted to growl "That's DOCTOR <last name> to you, towel boy!" But decorum won out...

[Ironclad Alibi]

And E.E. 'Doc' Smith.

E. E. "Doc" Smith had a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

[Jester]

There was an individual, local I believe, that was told they could not refer to them self as "Doctor" so-and-so.

So, they simply changed their first name to "Doctor".

A friend of mine has the last name Doktor. While she did not finish her studies in the area, years ago she was studying to be a psychiatrist. She she would have been Dr. Doktor.

Once, however, I was checking in to my gym. The very young man behind the desk kept using my first name over and over. I'm almost old enough to be his grandfather. "Good to see you <first name>! How was your day, <first name>? Thanks for coming, <first name>! Have a good workout, <first name>!" ad nauseum. I was very tempted to growl "That's DOCTOR <last name> to you, towel boy!" But decorum won out...

In the Joy of Mixology, the author, Gary Regan, relates the story of a bar he frequented with his wife. He thought the regular bartender there did a fantastic job, but no matter how many times he told the guy to call him Gary, he would just smile, nod, and say, "Yes, Mr. Regan." This went on for months, until one day the Regans were in there with their friend Joe. (Can't remember the guy's actual name.) Upon meeting him, the bartender shook his hand and said, "How ya doing, Joe? What can I get you?" Which was the last straw for Regan, who confronted the bartender. "We've been coming in here for six months, and no matter how often I tell you not to, you always call me Mr. Regan. Why, after just meeting him, are you calling him Joe?"

With a smile on his face, the bartender leaned over, looked Regan right in the eye, and said, "Because I knew it would piss you off."

And that, Regan wrote, was when he knew he was dealing with the greatest bartender in the world!

[sms001]

"That's DOCTOR <last name> to you, towel boy!" But decorum won out...

Just out of curiosity, what do you call your patients? Mr., Mrs., etc.?

E. E. "Doc" Smith had a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

I had just read that few months ago, when I started rereading the Lensmen series. What apparently escaped me was that Jester was omitting purposely (and to good effect) those who did actually rate a "doctor." My bad!

[Jester]

What apparently escaped me was that Jester was omitting purposely (and to good effect) those who did actually rate a "doctor." My bad!

I AM efficient!

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

A friend of mine has the last name Doktor. While she did not finish her studies in the area, years ago she was studying to be a psychiatrist. She she would have been Dr. Doktor.

Did you have a bad case of loving her?

[Geek King]

Did you have a bad case of loving her?

<Quietly stands and slow claps>

[EricKei]

I was thinking more like THIS Doctor Doctor

[Pagan]

"Medical Healer"? Is there another kind?

Emotional. Psychological. Sexual.Psychic. Spiritual. Even physical, such as in sports medicine or physical therapy, both of which can be healing without being medical.

I remember Marvin Gaye having some amount of success with one in particular!

Musicians have done this, such as Doctor Hook, Doctor John, Dr. Dre, Doc Severinsen, and Doc Watson, only the last of which I had never heard of. And I'm pretty sure none of them got in trouble with the law for using the title.

How could you forget Dr. Demento!

[skeptic53]

Just out of curiosity, what do you call your patients? Mr., Mrs., etc.?

It depends how well I know them. If I don't know them well, I use title and last name. If I delivered 2 of their kids who are now in their 20's, I'll probably use first name.

[Seshat]

Furthermore the volunteer aid societies have the members give out certain medications (oxygen is a drug, and prescription only one at that) under a Doctors authority - what this means in practice is that the member of these aid societies can give certain medications as long as they following the training they've given.

My apologies - I was either not thinking straight, or not speaking straight. First aid is within the scope of practice of every citizen - and those with extra training have the rights to do extra stuff (such as giving oxygen).

[corwin02]

By law, unlike "protected titles" such as nurse or physiotherapist, anyone can call themselves a doctor or a neurologist, at least in the UK

[Mr Hero]

I don't think anyone mentioned another self-titled doctor yet. Dr. Seuss!

[crazylegs]

My apologies - I was either not thinking straight, or not speaking straight.

Probably doesn't help I don't listen straight half the time anyhow