SgtBrushes

Quick question -

I'm a huge fan of Scrubs, House, and E.R. I've seen all of Scrubs and House, and recently started E.R. I've only seen the first season.

In E.R., med students refer to themselves and are addressed by others as "Doctor." Is this how it actually works? Did it work like this back in the mid-90s (when season 1 was filmed)? Or has it ever worked like this? It seems kind of anti-climactic to be addressed by patients as Doctor before you have your M.D. No? Anyway, thanks for the response.

RileyJohn

I'm fairly certain that by the time you are an intern, you are a doctor, and do have an M.D.
However, I have a habit of being wrong.

SgtBrushes

Yes, once you are an intern, you have your M.D. and are addressed as such. I'm speaking moreso about 3rd and 4th year of Med school, when you are working clinical hours.

Son of Opie

It's a big no-no to let people call you doctor before you have the official title.

Bigredmed

Well maybe not a "big no-no" but there are issues of professionalism that arise. It's generally frowned upon, but there's not a lot of consequences. Usually though, most med students feel very uncomfortable being labeled "doctor" before they actually are...it always helps to keep expectations of patients/nurses/support staff low. As and M3 and M4 I would only introduce myself as "Bigredmed, a (insert 3rd or 4th) year medical student working with the doctors today"

As I start as an intern in a month, it'll change to "I'm Dr. Bigredmed, the first year resident (or intern) who will be taking care of you, Dr. 'So and so' is our attending and Dr. 'whats his name' is the senior resident".

GoldShadow

While shadowing a doc when I was a high school student, he sometimes introduced me to patients as "a medical student," which was a little weird but not a big deal really.

Sezon

No, it doesn't work that way in reality. I assume it was like that in the show for general 'clarity'.

lediana

Thanks so much for sharing the post.



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