| Author |
Message |
    
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 1007
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 8:39 am: | 
|
Okay, so the thread about whether adults should be addressed as Mr. or Ms. raises another interesting question.
Why must I address my doctor as Dr. so-and-so? Why can't I just address them as Trina or Bob? I mean, we're both smart, intelligent adults, each of us successful in our respective careers. Futhermore, I'm the gosh darn customer in this relationship!
If a ten year-old can address me by my first name, why can't I do the same with my doctor?
|
fabulouswalls
Citizen
Username: Fabulouswalls
Post Number: 94
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 8:48 am: |
|
As a patient I always address the doctor as 'Dr'. It is a sign of respect. As a friend I will use the doctor's first name. Common sense prevails. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 494
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 8:59 am: |
|
I think it has something to do with the amount of money one spends on education:
Stan #1 ends his schooling with a high school degree = Stan
Stan #2 finishes college with a bachelor's degree = Mr. Stan
Stan #3 graduates from medical school = Dr. Stan
See it's quite simple - it's all about economics. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5762
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:03 am: |
|
what about Stan #4 who has a doctorate and is not a med school grad but wants to be called Dr. Stan? |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 495
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:08 am: |
|
We all know where Stan #4 can stick his doctorate ... |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 1031
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:46 am: |
|
If doctors insist on calling me by my first name, I call them by their first name, prefaced by "Dr." (Dr. Bill, Dr. Sue, Dr. Whatever)
I agree that their title is justified, but I really resent the automatic assumption that every patient wishes to be called by their first name. I especially hate it when the nurse or aide comes to the door of the waiting room and calls out my first name. I usually don't answer until they add a last name. |
Joanne G
Citizen
Username: Joanne
Post Number: 262
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
|
I call my dentist, my neurologist and my ophthalmogist by their given names. my general practitioner's given name is one I can't pronounce so I get formal with him...and my gynaecologist - well, anyone who gets thatpersonal had better be on first-name basis!  Mind you, I wait until the second visit before I use their given names freely in cocnersation, and I do ask permission before going ahead. Most have gone to school or uni with my sister or my brother in law anyway (as it turns out - small-world syndrome) so I just treat them all as extended family. |
JazzMe
Citizen
Username: Jazzme
Post Number: 215
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:54 am: |
|
Dr. Hank?!?! Dr. Zona!?! I dig that Hank, either one fits you like a glove! |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1308
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:10 am: |
|
I follow the doctor's (or other person in authority's) lead. Dr. Cotler always calls me Mrs. last name, so I call him Dr. Cotler. On the other hand, the principal of my kids' school calls me Shoshannah, so I call him by his first name. |
Oldstone
Citizen
Username: Rogers4317
Post Number: 794
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:11 am: |
|
I like calling the dentist or doctor, DOC. It makes me feel like I am getting my money's worth when I have something to see them about. |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 709
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:12 am: |
|
I have a bachelor's degree, so I would like to be called Bachelor Crabby.
Yours truly,
Br. Crabby |
Seagull
Citizen
Username: Seagull
Post Number: 121
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:16 am: |
|
Cody,
I never thought of the waiting room announcement that way... I always took it that calling out your first name was respecting your privacy. Not all people want their full name announced to a room packed with strangers. Just my take on it. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5764
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:26 am: |
|
JazzMe,
Thank you for the endorsement but I do not think I can start performing physicals any time soon. Rest assured that I will never ask you to "turn your head and cough"! |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 2444
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
|
It all varies. Personally, I prefer to call my children's pediatrician "Dr. S", as he is a bit older and I am more comfortable addressing him as such. Most of my doctors, in fact, I tend to address as Dr., except for my ob/gyn who is an outside acquaintance as well.
As I have mentioned in the other thread, I did object to med students introducing themselves as Dr. while calling me by my first name. They are not doctors, and since we had not been introduced, and I had not asked them to call me by my first name, I found that presumptuous. I agree with Cody in that the doctor (or med student) did not ask whether I prefer to be addressed by my first name, but assumes it's OK to do so.
And Josh - you covered HS, bachelors, and doctorates, but what about Masters??? Master Stan? (Or Mistress Stannette?)  |
Joanne G
Citizen
Username: Joanne
Post Number: 264
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:41 am: |
|
I think I like Mistress Stannette - but what to do with those with honours? the Hon. Mistress Stannnette?? sounds a bit like an oxymoron...(must be time to go to sleep here, I'm not making much sense...) |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2906
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:42 am: |
|
I'm with ess. If a doctor of any age addresses me by my first name, I return the favor. The young'uns usually don't because much as there's a status/power issue, there's also age. Few young docs are so ballsy as to violate that one with me.
Mostly, though, they just call me Child Like Empress. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 2445
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:00 am: |
|
Cyn -
So if we all agree on Mistress, then I am going to become MistressEss....may as well do something with that degree!
(And Joanne - it's time to go to sleep here, too............) |
Joanne G
Citizen
Username: Joanne
Post Number: 267
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
|
Ess, I think we should be closer geographically speaking - somehow the idea of you and Nancy within visiting distance just seems soooo tempting!
Cyn, I had several friends who each - individually and who didn't know each other (that I knew of) - insisted they should be addressed as Gd Emperor, Life Emperor or The Director of Things That Really Matter. Or variations thereof. Child like Empress seems so innocuous in comparison, I have no objection...changing your avatar???
Well, I've wasted time cuddling the cat (snuggled into her doona/duvet in front of the blazing log fire - yes, we re-affixed the fireplace door), and showered so now it's really time to go to bed. 'Night, John-boy, 'night all! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8240
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:15 pm: |
|
I am to be addressed from now on as Master Greenetree. |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6108
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
|
Oh Master Greenetree, you remind me of when I used to play drinking games.... |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2907
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:53 pm: |
|
Sounds like a blond guy from a Dickens novel! Or maybe Jane Austen... |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8243
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 1:08 pm: |
|
Fetch me my walking stick and a glass of port, lad. That's a good boy. Pats on the head and gives a tuppence. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 347
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:21 pm: |
|
The prefix, Doctor, came with a 19th. century push by the A.M.A. to improve the status of physicians. Before this, the job had low pay and little status -- body mechanics dealing with pus, blood, etc.
|
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8258
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:23 pm: |
|
Dave, John said "pus"! |
Peter G. Magic
Citizen
Username: Pmagic
Post Number: 145
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:50 pm: |
|
I believe our patients always call us with the prefix, "Dr." because it makes them feel safer about being treated by us. Dr. implies professional training. I would have no problem with a patient calling me Peter but the only times I remember that happening are when I have treated another doctor. Of greater interest to me is whether Brett's fruiting technique would work on patients who are way behind in paying their bills! |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1301
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 12:13 am: |
|
What I object to is going to a doctor's office and having the receptionist or the nurses, who are young enough to almost be my grandchildren, address me by my first name. I always correct them and say that I prefer to be called Ms. M...
I also find it weird when a receptionist refers to the doctor as Doctor--"Doctor will see you now--" as if he were the only doctor in the world. The office staffs of women doctors don't behave this way--only the male doctors' staffs. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 627
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 6:59 am: |
|
Lizziecat: excellent points.
I used to work in a hospital, and nothing made me wince more than hearing nurses, interns, whomever calling elderly patients by their first name.....usually very loudly, since the patient would be hard of hearing.
"Billy, I've got your heart pill for you to take!" "Hello Helen, time for your MRI!"
To combine that with "Doctor will see you now" is enough to make you puke! |
Peter G. Magic
Citizen
Username: Pmagic
Post Number: 147
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 8:28 am: |
|
An exception, MJH, is when a patient is in ICU, CCU, or any type of intensive care environment. Older patients who are having serious problems often calm down and respond better when called by their first names, espcially in the familiar form such as Billy instead of Bill. They feel like they are at home and are able to relax more and trust that the doctor will help them in the same way that mom or dad used to do. Other than that, I agree with you. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 630
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
|
Dr. Magic, can you give us the citations for the controlled clinical trials that have proven ICU dwellers prefer to be called by their first names? Or are you claiming cause and effect based on your personal observation that patronizing patients is comforting to them?
Sorry, but we've had a lot of recent serious illness in my family, including both my parent's and my MIL. I just don't buy your argument, and find it to be like nails on a chalkboard when I hear this kind of child-talk..ICU or not. Just had my FIL and his partner here for the weekend, both of whom were talking seriously to us about end-of-life issues (they are in their 80's), and they brought up this very scenario.........and had the same feelings that I described. I believe it to be one reason so many people claim they would prefer to die at home........to retain some semblance of dignity.
|
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8260
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
|
My mom's oncologist (who is my age or perhaps a couple years younger) always addressed her as "Mrs. Greenetree". After her 6 or 7th hospitalization, she finally said to him "Please call me Gertrude; I think we spend enough time together." His reply was "OK, Gertrude. Please call me John." What's interesting is that he still expects me to call him "Dr. Oncology"; when he calls, he says "Hi, it's Doctor Oncology." I don't really care. He's not my doctor and ours is a completely formal relationship.
I've seen this in other people with serious illnesses/hospitalizations, but agree that it between patients/clinicians who spend a lot of time together.
I don't think you are going to see a controlled clinical trial which has nomenclature as an endpoint; it would add too much potential for unexplained variance; the sample size increase to detect therapeutic differences in the drug would be prohibitive. It's difficult enough to recruit enough eligible subjects with serious illnesses for trials. It also can limit the number of investigators willing to commit to recruitment goals.
Now, I have worked with doctors for 20+ years. We have always been on first name basis' with each other. There's a little protocol dance we do when contacting a doctor from outside the company (MD, DO, DMV, DDS or PhD) for the first time. I send an e-mail (or make a call) saying "Hi, Dr. Smith, I'm Greenetree from Company X" or "Dear Dr. Smith....."
Dr. Smith always responds with "call me Joe" or signs the e-mail "Joe". If s/he doesn't, I know that I have a prima donna on my hands.
I worked for one company whose medical director expected to be called Dr. Smith by everyone. I left after 3 months because his ego level was representative of the company culture, which wasn't for me. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1930
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
|
I like addressing my doctors as "Dr.".... This may be completely irrational, but I feel that if I'm too informal with the relationship with my doctor, s/he'll be too informal with my care. Using "Dr." when I address them gives me a feeling that it's "Doctor" responsibilities first, acquaintance second. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 649
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:37 am: |
|
I have students who address me as "Dr..." I think it's funny! My favorite is "Professuh..." I usually tell them to call me whatever they want, so long as it aint dirty!
That said, I always call my doctors Dr. |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 170
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:27 am: |
|
Just a note on the last names:
It's technically a HIPPA violation to read aloud a patient's last name.
Most places don't care, nor most patients. But that's why you're refered to by your first name in the waiting room (since it's an open area) |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 631
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:44 am: |
|
Greene,
I was being facetious about the clinical trial!
My bad, I wasn't clear enough. Just couldn't understand making such a blanket statement about patient preferences.
|
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14840
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:45 am: |
|
Are you serious, Starletta8?!
|
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 2481
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
|
Starletta is on to something.
HIPAA regulations have even changed the way sign-in is done. Pre-HIPAA, you could put your name on a list, and you'd see everyone else's name too. Post-HIPAA, they have peel-off stickers, or some other device so you don't see who else is there when you sign in.
Privacy issues are very important. I only wish people would realize this at the pharmacy (particularly CVS in Millburn) and not stand right on top of the person getting the prescription instructions. But, as usual, I digress. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1236
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 12:57 pm: |
|
Wait, what's the reason why a doctor shouldn't be called a doctor? Isn't it in the name of clarity that you call yourself what you are?
J.B.
Was this thread a joke that got out of hand? |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 2490
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
|
JB, HIPAA regulations do not preclude a patient from calling a doctor "Doctor So and so".
To your point, perhaps the thread did get a little adrift.
(signed)
MistressEss |
John
Citizen
Username: Jdm
Post Number: 80
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 7:13 pm: |
|
JC is right, though I would be harsher and say that the medical profession hijacked the title from us more respectable Ph.D.'s 
That said, if a medical doctor calls me by my first name, I return the favor.
Oh, and regarding the first point, a pet peeve of mine is when people ask whether I'm a "real" doctor. Grrrr.
(Shanabana, I too find it amusing to be called "Doctor" though some students seem to have learned that it's more respectful than "Prof." I even prefer "Mr." to it, but I think that's unusual.) |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1239
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 8:31 pm: |
|
If I discuss my sex life with 'em and they stick their finger up my butt, they can call me by my first name.
And THEY'D better be a doctor, and I'll call them that to make sure that's clear.
J.B. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 656
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 9:21 pm: |
|
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page