Why is it considered pretentious for non-MDs who have doctorates to use their title?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about psychologists? Psychologists have PhDs, work in healthcare, diagnose, bill to medical insurance, etc. They use Dr. when being addressed with title + last name. I think this makes sense. Though many use their first name even professionally.

I have a friend who is a psychologist who has people call her this. I just shake my head internally.

Probably trying to distinguish herself from the many counselors who are not serious/well trained (see Life Coaches).

[Anonymous]

MDs, PhDs and EdDs calling themselves doctor is acceptable and proper.

It isn't for JDs and honorary doctorates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MDs, PhDs and EdDs calling themselves doctor is acceptable and proper.

It isn't for JDs and honorary doctorates.

Except that it's not anymore, in social situations. It's not the olden days. Now it's widely considered pretentious, even ridiculous to insist on titles in contexts that are not professionally relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the context (PhDs should do it at universities and scientific conferences, MDs should do it in clinical circumstances). No one should do it at a neighborhood barbecue or their kid’s game.

+1 NP.

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about psychologists? Psychologists have PhDs, work in healthcare, diagnose, bill to medical insurance, etc. They use Dr. when being addressed with title + last name. I think this makes sense. Though many use their first name even professionally.

I have a friend who is a psychologist who has people call her this. I just shake my head internally.

Probably trying to distinguish herself from the many counselors who are not serious/well trained (see Life Coaches).

I think psychologists is one of them that makes the most sense if they're clinical and seeing patients. Besides everything the first PP said, psychologists need to set boundaries with people they're seeing, so "just call me Jenny!" Is kind of inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

My husband never introduced himself as Dr (medical doctor). Unless asked, he never mentioned it.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I don't understand why there's anything wrong with the psychiatrist being called Dr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I don't understand why there's anything wrong with the psychiatrist being called Dr.

A psychiatrist has an MD. A psychologist has a PhD or PsyD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I don't understand why there's anything wrong with the psychiatrist being called Dr.

Psychiatrists ARE MD's!

[Anonymous]

I call my doctors by their first name

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because if you introduce yourself as Dr, 99 percent of people will assume you are a medical doctor. And when they learn you are throwing around the dr suffix when all you have is a little extra studying of "education" or "social work" it comes across as pathetic and pretentious.

it’s not a ‘little extra studying’!!! You are ignorant of the process to obtain a PhD. The average number of extra years to obtain a PhD is 6 and that’s after your bachelor’s. These people are experts in their chosen fields. They studied and studied and studied. They completed major comprehensive exams in their disciplines and passed. Then they embarked on some major new research project in their area of study and completed a dissertation. They had to present at major conferences and get their work approved in front of other leading academics in their field. They earned the title Doctor in their chosen field. Everyone should know that ‘Dr’ doesn’t just mean medical. If YOU don’t know this, then YOU need more education. [/quote]


You are wrong. In the US someone with a Ph.D does not call themselves "doctor" unless their college or university does it and then onky on campus. I have a Doctorate of law (all US lawyers do) but lawyers do not call themselves "Doctor". this is why people object to Jill Biden callimg herself "Dr.". It's a rube move. Only medical doctors use Dr. in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a lawyer.

That makes me a “doctor” too.

(technically)

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because if you introduce yourself as Dr, 99 percent of people will assume you are a medical doctor. And when they learn you are throwing around the dr suffix when all you have is a little extra studying of "education" or "social work" it comes across as pathetic and pretentious.

it’s not a ‘little extra studying’!!! You are ignorant of the process to obtain a PhD. The average number of extra years to obtain a PhD is 6 and that’s after your bachelor’s. These people are experts in their chosen fields. They studied and studied and studied. They completed major comprehensive exams in their disciplines and passed. Then they embarked on some major new research project in their area of study and completed a dissertation. They had to present at major conferences and get their work approved in front of other leading academics in their field. They earned the title Doctor in their chosen field. Everyone should know that ‘Dr’ doesn’t just mean medical. If YOU don’t know this, then YOU need more education. [/quote]


You are wrong. In the US someone with a Ph.D does not call themselves "doctor" unless their college or university does it and then onky on campus. I have a Doctorate of law (all US lawyers do) but lawyers do not call themselves "Doctor". this is why people object to Jill Biden callimg herself "Dr.". It's a rube move. Only medical doctors use Dr. in the US.

No, you are the rube.

You may not *like* it when people are referred to as "Dr." (perhaps you are insecure?), but it is apt if someone has a doctoral degree. Fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s true.

Unless you have MD, DOM, or DDS after your last name, YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR.

A doctor is a physician. Period.


My brother-in-law with a PhD in history IS NOT A DOCTOR. And he introduces himself as “Dr____ all the freakin time. It’s embarrassing.

You are embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who gets miffed about someone with a doctoral degree being referred to as "Dr." is insecure. As some have stated, it's out of place in casual settings, but it is not inaccurate. It is perfectly appropriate in professional settings.