It’s stupid that we have the same word for both degrees. My husband works in a med school so some of the Doctors are MD doctors and some are PhD doctors. Most of the time it’s not a big deal, but it’s unnecessarily confusing.
As to the OP. While she obviously has the right to be called Doctor, she earned the title, I think she also has the obligation to make sure it’s clear she’s an NP not a physician.
Dr. Ellie has every right to call herself Dr. if she wants to, she has earned it. She does not have the right to imply she is something she isn’t. And, in this situation she implied she was a medical doctor, whether she meant to or not.
She could maybe get in the practice of saying, “Hello, I am Dr. Ellie, the nurse practitioner that will be treating you today.”
I think we’re trying to make that distinction between “Medical Doctor Jones” and a PhD.
I’m struggling with whether I think the using the PhD title in the clinical setting is being pretentious. Yes, hard work to get there. But maybe wrong title for the setting. I don’t know.
But I do know I value a highly qualified (and personable) clinician and that would affect my decision to see that person and continue. Eg, I agree many NPs and PAs are wonderful.
What makes me mad, Aunt Bea, is incompetence or getting short shrift.
Similarly, in an academic setting, someone with only an MD should not call themselves Dr., because the PhD degree is the one that indicates capacity to do independent research and produce original knowledge.
I think it’s misleading. I’m not going to lean into someone’s cleavage during my 4 minute appointment to try to discern whether what they called themselves in the first 5 seconds is accurate. I can barely see their name as the lanyard swings about; reading the little initials after it wouldn’t happen.
Even worse, though, is the trend to shift so much medical care to NP, especially for people with disease and serious conditions. Then, they charge the same as a MD appointment. Mind boggling to me, given the difference in training.
I think it’s perfectly acceptable for her to use the Dr. title, if she earned a PhD, in any setting other than an exam room. I would not like it if a nurse was introducing herself to me as Dr. Ellie. Outside a clinical office would be a different matter.
Seems like the issue is that the word “doctor” is overloaded to mean both “physician” (with MD or DO degree and medical license)* and “someone with a doctoral degree” (e.g. with PhD or other degree).
In a typical health care context, it is better for non physicians with doctoral degrees other than MD or DO not to identify themselves as “doctor”, even though doing so would still be truthful (but subject to misinterpretation).
*Or other health care provider like dentist or optometrist in some situations.
Get used to it. With the anticipated MD shortage, more and more NP and PA programs are opening up. And frankly, my PA and NP friends went through arduous training. They now specialize, which means additional specific knowledge and experience. When I had a med emergency that could have killed me overnight, it was the NP who detected it. Sure, an MD could have, too.
What if the Np has a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and not a PhD? Does that make a difference.
I think we’re confusing “title” with “role” or “position”. I think it’s ok to use the title as long as you state your role. I’m Dr. Soandso and I’m your Physical Therapist, I’m Dr. Whoever I’m a Nurse Practioner etc. The title was earned for all disciplines and i feel its ok to use it in the clinical setting (heck when else are you going to use it).
Signed: Not a doctor but have respect for those who’ve earned the tittle. (But definitely agree they should delineate their role).
p.s I remember clearly getting a lecture once calling a college teacher Professor Campbell, I was told very clearly she was Dr. Campbell and she had worked hard for that title.
Perhaps she was not actually any kind of “professor” (e.g. a “lecturer” or some other title). Seems like academia is very rank and status focused within itself, so it may be ingrained to be stickler about titles. Given the hiring situation in academia, it is likely that “professor” is a far more prestigious title than “doctor” (there are lots of PhD holders who wish they could become professors).
I respect your interpretation. But as you ask for our opinion on this, I’ll weigh in with my thoughts.
Looking over the thread, I couldn’t find a post that indicated she said “I’m dr Ellie and I am your physician.”
She didn’t say I’m dr Melissa jones either.
It would appear it was more along the lines of “Hi I’m dr “Ellie”. This sounds more friendly and playful thsn trying to seem more accomplished or such to me.
Her role and status clearly stated on her name badge.
And actually she said hello and was being friendly. That’s a good start for me.
Now if she ventured into more serious clinical space like discussing cancer treatment options or told me my pacemaker wasn’t needed, outside of the earwax procedure and I found out. I’d be ticked.
Sounds like a lighthearted way to say hello and it doesn’t work for you. I can understand. Just doesn’t move the needle for me or is what would be a big problem in my life.
The D in JD stands for “doctor,” just sayin.’ 
Not a single lawyer among the folks I know would call herself a Doctor. ? Unless they also happen to have an MD or DO degree.
“p.s I remember clearly getting a lecture once calling a college teacher Professor Campbell, I was told very clearly she was Dr. Campbell and she had worked hard for that title.”
The profs at our big research U have “Drs” working (slaving) for them (hint - postdocs). A “Prof” means a much higher place in the food chain that a mere “Dr” here.
@privatebanker, my previous visit was an initial visit with this NP for another concern.
Today, the clinic was booking an appointment for me a future visit for the impacted cerumen, and I was unaware that I would be served by the same NP until the end of the call.
Since I remembered the NP’s name, because it’s unusual and her previous bedside manner was dismissive of my symptoms, I was unsettled this afternoon, that I would be served by the same practitioner who disregarded my physical concerns at my previous visit`.
That’s when I looked at her pinned badge and thought to myself, “Wow, she called herself Doctor”, and I had to confirm to myself that I had originally scheduled my appointment with an NP.
Maybe I’m making a big deal out of it, but it bothers me that she’s okay with representing herself to patients as an Doctor (md/do). I’m okay that she’s a NP but it makes me wonder why she won’t own it. NP’s are well-respected, so why did she feel she had to say she was “Doctor Ellie Walker” in a hands-on exam?
Okay, I’m toast. Rescheduling with another NP.
OP, it’s clear to me that you we not happy with Dr Ellie. You don’t need any other reason not to see her again, though you have stated several. I’m am very glad you have made a new appointment with a different NP that you are more comfortable with.
There is definitely no reason to get care from a practitioner that you feel doesn’t treat you as they ought and provides a potentially misleading introduction when greeting you.
I do see the title of Dr as an area where confusion can easily occur. Most of the PhDs I know only refer to themselves as Dr in academic settings. I agree that generally in medical settings I have only had MDs and DOs refer to themselves as Drs. I have corrected people who have referred to DOs as MDs, just for clarity. PhDs in Nursing have referred to themselves as PhDs in nursing to me.
I do dislike it when I feel people are using titles in a confusing matter. I try to correct folks who call me Dr—juris doctorate or JD does not make me any Dr.
A very dear friend of mine has a PhD (neurobiology) and then got a BSN, MSN and NP because PhD-level jobs were very tough to get in her part of the country. She used the doctor title when she was teaching at a local college, but after a few years, decided just to have the BSN MSN NP on her nametag at her nursing jobs. The patients didn’t have a problem with the PhD – the doctors and the DON did.
Technically, it may not be misrepresentation, but people typically presume the “doctor” in a medical setting is an MD. So yes, I can understand that you might feel this is a bit quirky and misleading.
Mom60 do you know the name of the ear cleaning kit? Thanks
I keep thinking about dr. Laura, the radio talk host.
Back when I was a working journalist, we only used the term “doctor” to refer to medical doctors - I’m not sure if that is still AP Style or not. We had a lot of professors at the local university irritated over that one.
At my daughter’s school, one of her professors is an actual medical doctor but prefers to be called professor.