Hi 1238 and welcome to HP, 🙂
Just thought i would mention the last time annoymouse, not annonymick posted on this thread was in January 2007.
On behalf of the Moderating Team,
calla lily
Physiotherapists and osteopaths do not call themselves 'Doctor', since they do not wish their patients to be misled, and this is enforced by their regulation. This is the correct ethical position.
😉
Hi BIA,
There is no regulation which prevents osteopaths from calling themselves doctor so long as they clarify that they are osteopathic doctors...in exactly same way as chiropractors. In fact some osteopaths do use the 'Dr' prefix.... but most choose not, unlike most chiropractors who choose to use 'Dr'
And I'll repeat my comments earlier regarding physio's... this is an obvious red herring as physio's do not carry the primary health care practitioner status like osteos or chiros.
Just to add to the mix
On my recent pain management course the pharmacology was taught by someone who was one of my tutors when I was a nursing student. He is a nurse by profession but has completed a PhD in pharmacology. He has earned the right to call himself Dr and he does in his professional capacity, although I know him by his first name. I very much doubt anyone would assume he was a GP or physician although he probably knows more pharmacology than any GP I know.
A chartered physio even in private practice will refer to themselves as a Chartered Physiotherapist unless they have completed a PhD.
A point to note:
A recent case was upheld by the ASA against a chiropractor who used the word Doctor on their website.
This was considered false advertising and misleading to the general public.
Yes I am an Osteopath, however I respect most Chiropractors (as I respect most osteopaths), but I do not think they should use the word Doctor, as in "our doctor will be happy to chat with you about your back" as a Chiropractic associate said to me recently. It was only on asking that the doctor point was clarified. How many people would check this, not many I reckon.
How many people would check this, not many I reckon.
If anyone wants to check the credentials of a medical Dr practising in the UK, thay can do so here:
Myarka
D-o-c-t-o-r
Wow this thread is really making me chuckle.
Such jealousy exists between professions. Amazing to think some spend all their spare time attacking others. How old are we?! If you want to use doctor, use it if that is what you feel that you are. Language is fluid and the word DOCTOR holds no one true meaning.
Doctor has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread to the Americas, former European colonies, and is now prevalent in most of the world. Abbreviated "Dr" it is used as a designation for a person who has obtained a doctorate-level degree.
If we want to get pedantic about the etymology:
The earliest use of "doctor" in WRITTEN English was in 1303, but the term applied to "doctors of the Church," meaning "learned men in the scriptures."
As we know, any word is simple made up (there is no RIGHT WORD). Yep, made up. Doctor is no different to [COLOR="Red"]bootylicious now in the OED. So why don't we all Chillax (also in OED) and go help some people get well!!
Good grief 😮
Hi PostureGeek & welcome to HealthyPages, I'm not sure it you noticed but this thread hasn't been active for over a year!!
Look forward to reading more of your posts
Best wishes
Amy x
A recent case was upheld by the ASA against a chiropractor who used the word Doctor on their website. This was considered false advertising and misleading to the general public.
I think I know the case you mean: Judged in 2008 yet he still practices today (Sep 2011) as 'Spinal Specialist Doctor' (No doctorate, the same small caveat buried to say 'likes to be called doctor'). He has also been struck off by the chiropractor governing body, and nothing else has been done. He bills and xrays aggressively, including children. IRMER and CQC and HSE are all responsible for policing radiological facilities but it semes to be a case of what is everybodys job, is always someone else's.
The GMC apparently is only responsible for registered doctors, any other 'abuse' isn't their remit. Anyone using the word Therapist would seem to be better policed!