Discussions

I doubt any disrespect was intended.

Grace1956 said "I noticed a answer as to what walk ins open.... benning was the answer.   Whether you like this doctor or not.   It should be addressed as DR.   These doctors have a lot more education so why be disrespectful it’s DR. You don’t call them by there first name how would you feel if that was your son/daughter.. "

the doctor shouldn't be addressed as IT either, like you have in your post

Grace1956 said "I noticed a answer as to what walk ins open.... benning was the answer.   Whether you like this doctor or not.   It should be addressed as DR.   These doctors have a lot more education so why be disrespectful it’s DR. You don’t call them by there first name how would you feel if that was your son/daughter.. "

I hope you have a better 2018.

One of my teachers made the mistake of addressing my father as Mr (lastname) instead of Dr. (lastname) when he called my father to verify a sick note he had written for me.... I''''ll bet he never called a Doctor "Mister" ever again after that.  
 
 
And heaven forbid a nurse ever address him as anything other than Dr. :/  
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2017-12-26 16:26:18

The majority of the general public address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists etc. as Doctor (insert last name). Coworkers, friends and family tend to address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists by their first name. Residents, Physician Assistants, Nurses generally go by their first name.

Nvm  
 
Edited by Turbofamily, 2017-12-26 19:28:14

Genevieve said "The majority of the general public address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists etc. as Doctor (insert last name). Coworkers, friends and family tend to address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists by their first name. Residents, Physician Assistants, Nurses generally go by their first name. "

I have never heard a nurse call a doctor by his first name.

I have heard of very rich people wanting to be referred to as King or Queen. Kinda sick, actually.  
 
I think a first name basis is fine. Some people want to be given authority over others, and some people like remaining small and giving their power away. I guess inequality is just human nature.

Brenda.. said "    Genevieve said "The majority of the general public address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists etc. as Doctor (insert last name). Coworkers, friends and family tend to address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists by their first name. Residents, Physician Assistants, Nurses generally go by their first name. " I have never heard a nurse call a doctor by his first name. "

think it depends where you work, and on the person in question. I've only met one Dr. who prefers staff address him as Dr___ not his first name. Though we do try and refer to Dr's as Dr___ if you have to interrupt while they're actually with a patient.

Brenda.. said "    Genevieve said "The majority of the general public address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists etc. as Doctor (insert last name). Coworkers, friends and family tend to address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists by their first name. Residents, Physician Assistants, Nurses generally go by their first name. " I have never heard a nurse call a doctor by his first name. "

common practice in our emergency room.

I’m sorry if you felt I disrespected someone . I simply thought I typed it. I work for specialists and do know that they serve that . Don’t get to upset and let my typo ruin you day. Hope 2018 is better for ya . Cheers!

Johnbisonbear said "    Brenda.. said "    Genevieve said "The majority of the general public address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists etc. as Doctor (insert last name). Coworkers, friends and family tend to address Physicians, Surgeons, Optometrists and Dentists by their first name. Residents, Physician Assistants, Nurses generally go by their first name. " I have never heard a nurse call a doctor by his first name. " common practice in our emergency room. "

I believe in most cases - and especially many of the younger doctors - that the most personable and professional doctors are the ones that have a sincere and appreciative relationship at work with their co-workers (nurses, hospital staff) and even patients. And I believe we are seeing a shift these days, with a preference by many doctors to strengthen that relationship by being called by their first names (especially by hospital staff). I think this is great, as it values everybody's contribution and role within the health care system.  
 
Going back a few months now, I recall hearing about the death of Dr. Chris Mark Thorpe Beeston from Brandon General Hospital. As someone who was a patient at emergency on a few occasions (over the years) I had the fortune of having him be assigned as my doctor. I will never forget the sincerity, the professionalism, the compassion, and the respect that this man made with his patients, and from what I have read with hospital staff. I did not know him outside of a patient/doctor relationship, but I think it speaks to his character and I always left there feeling that he was one of the best doctors out there. And I know from reading some of the comments from his obituary, that everybody else that knew him felt the same. So thank you Dr. Beeston. I think the term "Doctor" is something that is earned through the respect and professional relationships that these people have with both patients and staff. But in no way do I feel that it would be disrespectful to engage on a first-name basis, to establishing a personal relationship these people.  
 
I am glad to hear that many relationships do exist on a first name basis between nurses and doctors, and I think that speaks volumes to the personalised relationships between these two groups of people, where one profession is in real terms just important as the other in providing great health care to patients.

There's a distinctionto be made among friends, family, co-workers,and patients/students.  
 
I don't call my personal physician by his first name, nor do I call relatives who have earned a doctorate "Dr." at a family holiday function.  
 
It's all about context, and respect.  
 
It's incorrect to assume that all educated people are on some sort of power trip. You can't really compare Kings and Queens with doctors. Some titles are earned, not just self-proclaimed.

my niece asked me how does one know they are old, and after a short pause the only answer I could think of was "your old when you see your Doctor and Pharmacist on a regular basis that you're on a friendly first name basis with each".

While respect for doctors are lacking in some cases, there are plenty of more criminal things in the world happening.

I use the term Doctor. Kirmit mentioned first names being used in Hospital by other staff for many reasons.  
 
 
I assume most of those people would wear scrubs. Few if any patients can tell what position they have obtained without reading a tag. It is almost like they are not proud of their accomplishments and want to blend in. Dr's stand out in most cases. If any Dr wants to go by first name or NIC name so be it. If it keeps the staff happy even better but using the term DR is to recognize the years put in to be called that.

Recently changed dentists due to mine retiring. I was surprised to hear the dental hygienist call my new dentist by his first name, when she had never referred to the previous one as anything but Dr.  
I assume that's what he prefers.

Cee Jay 55 said "One of my teachers made the mistake of addressing my father as Mr (lastname) instead of Dr. (lastname) when he called my father to verify a sick note he had written for me.... I''''ll bet he never called a Doctor "Mister" ever again after that.       And heaven forbid a nurse ever address him as anything other than Dr. :/     Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2017-12-26 16:26:18"

that a good thing or a bad thing? I suppose its all subjective. Maybe I'm wrong. Your Dad wanted to be called Doctor and not Mister...so he let your teacher know that.

It comes down to having a basic level of respect for other people. However someone introduces themselves to you, that's the name you should be calling them. In the same way that you wouldn't call someone who introduced themselves as Margaret "Maggie", if a Dr. introduces themselves as Dr. ____, have enough respect to call them that. They've put in a lot of work to earn that title. If your doctor tells you to call them by their first name, go ahead...