The title of Doctor for physicians?

Question

I see I have confused all my American cousins with my previous question. Again

The word Doctor means teacher in Latin - not one who practices medicine. In the UK medical graduates obtain the degree MB ChB (batchelor of medicine, surgery) and yet they use the title Dr. They do not have a doctorate. Some do - they look down microscopes for three more years, write a thesis and get an MD or PhD - fine. Yet they still use the title "Dr" when only possesing the MB ChB, and "Dr" does not mean one who practices medicine, it means teacher.

I am am an Engineer, I dont call myself "Dr" - to do so I would need to study for an EngD (Dr of engineering) or Ph.D (bye the way I have taught engineering).

So here it comes people in the UK: Why do physicians use the title Dr ??

Answer 1

It is a courtesy title used in numerous countries (e.g UK (Doctor), Italy (Dottore), etc) for physicians, and also for dentists, veterinarians, naturopaths and chiropractors (amongst others).

Some languages e.g. Greek have a specific term "iatros" for physician.

The medical board where I live has a clause that says that those who hold the MB ChB (MB BS here) can use the courtesy title only when registered as medical practitioners with the relevant authority.

I believe the term was once used to distinguish the physicians from the barber/surgeons. In some places (UK for example) the surgeons prefer to be called Mr, distinguishing those that use physical measures (the "knife") from those that ponder and dispense potions.

The physicians used the term "Doctor of Physick" to distinguish themselves from the disdained surgeons (who were also barred from the medical schools of the time). I think an early English reference to Doctor in the medical sense is by Chaucer around the 13th century.

Both uses seem to date from around the same time:

From the Online Etymology Dictionary:

c.1303, "Church father," from O.Fr. doctour, from M.L. doctor "religious teacher, adviser, scholar," from L. doctor "teacher," from doct- stem of docere "to show, teach," originally "make to appear right," causative of decere "be seemly, fitting" (see decent). Familiar form doc first recorded c.1850. Meaning of "holder of highest degree in university" is first found c.1375; that of "medical professional" dates from 1377, though this was not common till late 16c.

Doctor taken literally means "teacher" but in context it can also mean "learned", as in Doctor of Philosophy = "learned in Philosophy"; so the Doctor of Physick, "learned in the healing arts" would have been called upon to treat the ailing.

I guess the term stuck in both of its shortened forms "Doctor" and Physician".

Answer 2

None of the MAs I work with call themselves nurses on purpose. Patients really have only 2 titles they use: nurse and doctor (although that is changing!!). In the "olden days" "nurse" meant to many a caregiver (as in "I need some nursing") and did not specifically refer to a RN. As a physician assistant, I had to constantly correct on the doctor (and sometimes you give up); so I imagine its the same for the MA. I even admit, I may at times tell the patient their nurse will be in (when its a MA--so I plead guilty! Sometimes its just easier, but no disrespect to the LVNs & RNs out there). I try & say the MA or my assistant; but patients get confused. And many of the MAs are not wannabe nurses--they are great MAs and that's where they want to be.

Answer 3

Because 'doctor' is a noun and a verb. The practice of medicine is 'doctoring,' ergo, a physician uses the title of DR in almost all countries.

In Japan, btw, most get their MD (medical degree) prior to their PhD whereas in the U.S. it is the opposite.

My mother has a PhD but never uses the title DR b/c she doesn't practice medicine.

Since titles are honorary and not obligatory, why do you care?

Answer 4

Physicians in the U.S. also use the title Dr.

In truth, there are many uses for the word Doctor...The Latin definition means "teacher"...but the English language is still living, so it will continue to evolve. It has come to mean something different when used over time, just as other words from other ancient languages have done.

Answer 5

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