When can someone officially be called a doctor?

Question

Is after their first two years of medical school? Or after they finish medical school? Once they become a resident? Thanks

I didn't really mean Phd's or any of those other things....I just meant MD's....

Answer 1

Once we've completed medical school and entered into residency.
Official MD title is attained in residency..... were we can officially prescribe medication (acquire a DEA # to write prescriptions).
Hope this answers your doubt.

Answer 2

The title of Doctor (in America) is given to many people who hold various degrees. It should be offically used once the person has matriculated and recieved his or her degree.
These Degrees are M.D., PhD., D.O., D.C. , O.D, D.P.M, D.V.M., D.D.
there may be a few I have missed, but please let me know.

These are all doctors, but only the first is a Medical Doctor. The second is a Doctor of Philosophy (but you can get this degee in almost any field of study), The next is a doctor of osteopathy, they are getting more and more similar to M.D.'s but are given in smaller schools that still hold some homeopathic beliefs. The D.C. is a chiropractor and is not a physician, but can treat many ailments most of which relate to back pain. O.D is an optometric doctor which is a doctor (not a physician ) who measures and treats refractive disorders (make eyeglasses) . The DPM is a podiatrist which treats medical and surgical patients with foot disorders. The DVM is a vet which treates animals. And finally a D.D. is a doctor of divinity which is a degree in religion.
Thanks

Answer 3

Many people Are Called Doctor, but Are Not Real Doctors.

Answer 4

I always use the terms physician or surgeon to differentiate from other honorifics

M.D., PhD., D.O., D.C. , O.D, D.P.M, D.V.M., D.D

Here's some others:

DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine)
PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy)
DrPH (Doctor of Public Health)
DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
ND (Naturopathic Doctor)
Doctor of the Church (In Catholicism)
DMin (Doctor of Ministry)
EdD (Doctor of Education)
DA (Doctor of Arts) usually honorary
DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts)
DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts)
DML (Doctor of Modern Languages)
DSc (Doctor of Science) usually honorary
ThD (Doctor of Theology)

There are many more, see the bottom of this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_degree

Rick the PharmD

Answer 5

They are doctors when they are granted the degree. Getting licensed to practice is a different story.

Answer 6

you cant be called a doctor until you have completed your MD degree.

Answer 7

Any time after they obtain any sort of doctorate degree. M.D., P.H.D., J.D., whatever.