Dr 'Who'

[purplepeach]

Can anyone tell me who can call themselves Doctor?

I work with Chiropractors who are called 'Dr' and Osteopaths who are not.

Yet I have read articles by Doctors of Osteopathy. I'm just curious!

[Healistic]

Originally Posted by purplepeach

Can anyone tell me who can call themselves Doctor?

I work with Chiropractors who are called 'Dr' and Osteopaths who are not.

Yet I have read articles by Doctors of Osteopathy. I'm just curious!

Unfortunatly anyone can call themselves a Doctor:

From a person who has earned the highest academic degree awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.(That's any college that wishes) to a practitioner of folk medicine.(That could include Chinese medicine and Healing etc)

[BIA]

this discussion has been ongoing for a while here.
As a chiropractor, I have a certificate from the European Chiropractor Union, awarding me the title "Doctor of Chiropractic" it's the official qualification we gain after we've copmleted our 5 year MSc course & additional 1 year of practice-based PRTS (effectively our internship).

At the end of the day, may of us chose not to use the title, or to just use the suffix "DC" - this is what I do.

We are also legally abliged that if we use the title "Doctor" then we have to make it clear that we are a doctor of chiropractic, not a medical doctor, or a PhD (unless we are as well).



Ultimately, the title Doctor should be used exclusively for people who hold a PhD - it's a purely academic qualification. It is also used as an honourary award in medical terms, to reflect the specialist nature of the training; even though the actualy academic achievement is at a lower (masters) level.

[Energylz]

Yep, a PhD is a doctor regardless of the subject. It's the letters afterwards that matter. Most doctors of whatever will make it clear what they are a doctor of. It's just a misconception by the general public that if someone is a doctor then they must be a medical doctor. That's not the fault of the person with the PhD.

Love and Reiki Hugs

[purplepeach]

I see, the Chiros at the practice I work at have Dr Joe Bloggs on their business cards so everyone (general public) assumes they are phD doctors. However the Osteopaths don't state anything and just call themselves Joe Bloggs!!

[Posh Totty]

Chiropractors think they are real doctors. They have such a chip on their shouklders it's uinbelievable. (the ones I know anyway) Oh yes!