Why are doctors called 'Doctors' & yet Surgeons/Consultants called 'MR' (here in the UK) & why are pHD. persons called Doctors also?
2006-09-25 23:05:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
Mr meaning Mister
2006-09-25 23:06:36 · update #1
Doctor means teacher in Latin.
Doctor is an honary title for a medical doctor - PhD holders are the true holders of the title Doctor in academic circles.
Mr for surgeons and consultant surgeons is derived from the barber surgeons of old.
A full discussion can be found at the link below:
2006-09-25 23:17:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Regarding surgeons being called Mr
It is because that before the development of anaesthetic surgeons were normally barbers as well and were not exactly respected by the medical community. They had to do a horrific job when you think of it-causing all that pain!
Now obviously they are respected but the traditional demarcation between physician and surgeon still exists in the UK and Ireland.
PhD stands for Philosophical Doctor
2006-10-03 01:01:46 · answer #2 · answered by Charlotte C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
surgeons are usually called doctor until they qualify and then they change to Mr again so other doctors working within the hospitals etc know that they are surgeons/consultants.
I don't know about the pHD though
2006-09-25 23:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The title PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy and is a degree granted to people who have done a period of advanced research in their field of work. They are granted the title 'Doctor' as recognition for the work they have done.
Medical Doctors are granted the title 'Doctor' as an honor; they do not have to complete Doctoral Research, and this title is given to them by the General Medical Council when they qualify. They could, of course, do a PhD in medicine after they qualify. In fact many consultants have PhDs in a medical disipline.
Surgeons are called "Mr" because when they qualify for the Royal College of Surgeons and gain their "MRCS" title, it is customary for them to drop their title of "Dr" and take up "Mr". This is related to the history of surgery throughout the years.
2006-09-25 23:35:58 · answer #4 · answered by Dean K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because people in the UK don't know better...Dentists and Vets in America are also called doctor and while respectful degrades those of us that have spent 12 years or so getting qualified.
2006-09-25 23:14:49 · answer #5 · answered by Frank 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
to distinguish from a doctor to a surgeon.
Phd is he has researched and he is the only expert on the subject.
2006-10-01 03:28:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a Mr. it means you are higher in status than a Dr.
Hope that clears it up for you. Plain and simple.
2006-09-25 23:27:18 · answer #7 · answered by bizzybee 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
aven't a clue, soz
2006-10-01 02:22:12 · answer #8 · answered by Rebecca P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋