Should Only Medical And Scientific Persons Be Referred To As Doctors

[barney15c]

Jill Biden has been criticized for using her Doctorate title, which she earned in the field of education. Some have said that this should only be applied to those in the Medical and Scientific professions. The BBC's own style guide uses the title Dr to refer to doctors of medicine, scientific doctors and church ministers who hold doctorates, when relevant. What is the history of doctorates in other disciplines? Do you agree that those who have a Doctorate in say Education, Economics, Theology etc should call themselves Dr. I have no personal opinion either way.

[Ellipsis]

Here is a link reporting the criticism:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55292501

Here is the criticism itself:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-there-a-doctor-in-the-white-house-not-if-you-need-an-m-d-11607727380

To me, it all feels a bit ... misogynistic.

[THECORBYLOON]

I was with a relative who was being treated in A & E and had given his title as "Doctor" at the reception.

Two different doctors seen him during the few hours he was in and reading his notes, they both asked "Oh, you're a doctor?"

Neither of them appeared to be impressed when he explained it was in literature.

[Sqad]

/////^Neither of them appeared to be impressed when he explained it was in literature./////

[Ellipsis]

And yet whenever you fill in a form on the internet, you select "Title" with choices of Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, etc ... are you only supposed to select Dr if you would answer the pilot's call?

[drmorgans]

I think there's a sort of etiquette about using the title "doctor" as a non-medico. So if you in an academic context, a university or conference, then the title confers status, but if some wanted to be referred to as Doctor Joe Bloggs when it's not relevant then it's just vanity.

[Sqad]

Sorry, pressed the wrong button.. I get tired at night lol

/////Neither of them appeared to be impressed when he explained it was in literature.////

They could then relax knowing that the management of thecase wouldn't be critised.-;)

[drmorgans]

But possibly their taste in reading matter?

[Ellipsis]

Perhaps when Jill Biden filled in the First Lady online registration form, there was a section where she could choose Mrs, Miss, Ms, Doctor or other ...

[brainiac]

Some people with doctorates never use the title 'Dr'. How many people know that ex-PM Gordon Brown has a doctorate (in history) - never ever referred to.
Agree that those with non-medical doctorates shouldn't style themselves 'Dr' unless it is in an academic context - just leads to confusion.

[Khandro]

I always ask, 'Are you a doctor of medicine' when anyone so self- refers, they invariably look uncomfortable.

[Ellipsis]

And when they answer "clinical psychology", who's the uncomfortable one?

[woofgang]

I just read the article....my goodness what sour grapes! And I disagree with drmorgans. If a person has earned a title, any title by the sweat of their brow then why not use it whenever they choose to use it? And who are you or, anybody, to say that this or that is "etiquette"?

[woofgang]

Khandro why would they look uncomfortable? Are you aware that so far as most medical doctors are concerned, the title is an honorary one as most of them don't hold doctorates but only degrees?

[woofgang]

brainiac... so should most medical doctors not call themselves doctor? After all they don't hold medical doctorates.

[sanmac]

A clinical psycholgist has a PhD, whereas a clinical psychiatrist has an MD.

[drmorgans]

Someone who worked at a university for 20 years?

[sanmac]

In the UK, are optometrists referred to as Doctor?

[Sqad]

No sanmac.

[tinkerbell23]

My boss is a nurse consultant but goes by Dr ... i assume phd!

Registered nurse though x

[woofgang]

drmorgan "Someone who worked at a university for 20 years?"

not sure that is relevant