This is in response to the News article by Roger Collier.1 These days many health professionals use the title “doctor.” Indeed, The Canadian Press Stylebook now decrees that the title of doctor should be reserved for physicians. Physicians, surgeons, dentists, chiropodists, university professors and, in some countries, pharmacists describe themselves as doctors. This raises the question — are they? To answer this question, one has to examine that title from both linguistic and historical standpoints.
The word doctor is derived from the Latin verb “docere,” meaning to teach, or a scholar. Only by special arrangement do any of the preceding professionals teach. Only university professors with a doctoral degree normally teach at a university. Historically speaking, the title doctor was invented in the Middle Ages to describe eminent scholars. These doctorates date back to the 1300s. Such people were accorded a lot of respect and prestige.
The PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest graduate degree awarded by our universities.
Health professionals receive undergraduate degrees in medicine. These are professional degrees, and not really doctorates. The MD degree is not a part of graduate faculties at North American universities.
It has now become fashionable to award so-called Doctor of Law degrees to undergraduate law school graduates in the form of a Juris Doctor or JD degree, including at the University of Windsor. These, too, are merely undergraduate degrees.
Because of the respect and prestige, medical schools, particularly in Scotland, started to address their graduates as doctors in the 17th century. The argument was that graduates of such schools obtain a bachelor’s degree before joining medical school. There are problems with such logic, namely, a degree past a bachelor’s degree could potentially be a master’s degree, but not a doctoral degree.
A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master’s degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor. These are the social and physical scientists who conduct and evaluate published research. A PhD degree is normally obtained after six to eight years of hard work past the bachelor’s degree.
When we are asked in a physician’s or a dentist’s office what kind of doctor we are, we respond, “the real one.” We are the ones who teach the others.
We hope that this contribution helps in clearing up the confusion in the community about the title doctor.
The Canadian Press should change its policy and stylebook to reflect these facts and this history.
This contribution should not be construed as an attack on any professional or group of professionals. The main purpose here is to educate the public.
Footnotes
Competing interests: None declared.
FAQs
These days many health professionals use the title “doctor.” Indeed, The Canadian Press Stylebook now decrees that the title of doctor should be reserved for physicians. Physicians, surgeons, dentists, chiropodists, university professors and, in some countries, pharmacists describe themselves as doctors.
When should you refer to someone as Dr? ›
People who have earned a Ph. D. or any other academic, nonmedical doctoral degree have the choice of whether to use "Dr." both professionally and socially. If, when meeting people with doctorates, you're unsure how to address them, "Dr." is always correct. If they'd rather the title be dropped, they will let you know.
Who is higher than the doctor? ›
The directors of a hospital are industry leaders in charge of overseeing every single physician on the staff. Medical directors establish good practices and policies for the institution with the goal of high-quality patient care in mind.
Should a pharmacist be called doctor? ›
Although pharmacists with a PharmD degree can be addressed as doctors in some cases, medical doctors and pharmacists are very distinct professions. So, Pharmd can be called as doctor as a title but pharmacists are not medical doctors.
Can a nurse practitioner be called a doctor? ›
For example, California and Georgia forbid nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals from using the "doctor" title. Most states allow practitioners with doctorate degrees to use the title “doctor” as long as they immediately clarify their role and qualifications.
Can I call myself Dr after my defense? ›
A PhD student can be called doctor after successfully completing all the requirements of their program, including passing their dissertation defense. More specifically, many universities only allow you to use the doctoral title after confirmation of your degree.
What is the difference between a doctor and a physician? ›
While all physicians are doctors, not all doctors are physicians. Physicians focus on patient care, have the authority to prescribe medication, and perform medical procedures, while the term “doctor” encompasses a wider range of disciplines beyond medicine.
Who is the boss of a doctor? ›
The medical director, also called chief of medicine or chief medical officer , is the most senior doctor on a hospital's staff. A medical director may serve as a liaison between a facility's board and the medical staff and meet with department heads to discuss and adjust hospital procedures and spending.
What is the lowest rank of doctor? ›
In doctor ranks, the lowest level is general practitioner, and the highest rank is ordinary. 1- (Dr.) General Practitioner: The general practitioner's duties include examining patients, writing prescriptions and reports.
Do younger or older doctors get better results? ›
While physicians with decades of experience offer invaluable perspective to the practice of medicine, some studies show that younger physicians are more likely to meet certain key competencies compared with older physicians, partially due to their proximity to residency and training, which can result in better patient ...
All dentists hold the title doctor because their degree grants a doctorate. In the United States, all dental schools either grant a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental medicine). They're both equivalent but the difference depends on the state which grants the degree.
Is an ED/D called a doctor? ›
The Doctor of Education (EdD or DEd; Latin Educationis Doctor or Doctor Educationis) is (depending on region and university) a research or professional doctoral degree that focuses on the field of education.
Why are doctors called doctors without a PhD? ›
Medical schools started using “doctor” to describe graduates in the 1600s to denote respect. The medical doctorate (MD) degree represents the first vocation-associated professional doctorate in the United States, as opposed to a doctorate based on research and academic expertise.
Should chiropractors be called doctors? ›
Are Chiropractors Doctors? Short answer: Yes. However, chiropractors do not earn a medical doctor (MD) degree. Chiropractors in the United States are required to complete a Doctor of Chiropractor (DC) degree in order to practice.
Why am I seeing a nurse practitioner and not a doctor? ›
Nurse practitioners are typically not as booked as doctors, and can fit patients in sooner, providing relief without long delays or wait times. Nurse practitioners see a variety of patients, meaning that their knowledge and experiences are varied and may be better suited to creating preventative care plans.
Can a DNP call herself a doctor? ›
' by any healthcare professional who is not a licensed physician or surgeon. That means veterinarians, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners are subject to severe penalties if they truthfully refer to themselves as 'doctor.
Should I refer to someone as Dr or professor? ›
address them as “Professor Last Name.” This includes assistant, associate, clinical, and research professors, as well as full professors.
Should you refer to someone as Dr in an email? ›
People with doctorates
You can address people who hold a doctorate as 'Doctor' or 'Dr' (without a full stop). Today, it is acceptable to use 'Dear Dr Name' for both formal and informal correspondence. When writing 'Dear' without the person's name in emails and letters, write the title 'Doctor' in full.
Can I call myself Dr. if I have a PhD? ›
In answer to the question, “Is a PhD a doctor,” the answer is yes. Both a PhD and a professional doctorate like an EdD earn you the title of “doctor.” But there are differences between the types of doctoral degrees. Learn more about a PhD vs. a professional doctorate below.
Should I put Dr. in my email signature? ›
It is advisable for you to double check the standard in your profession/discipline for the use of “Dr.” as a designation in your e-mail signature. In only a few professional areas is it considered acceptable to use both “Dr.” and your doctoral degree.
