|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr."
|
Logged in as: Guest
|
|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - May 17, 2005 5:42:00 AM
|
|
|
Randy Dixon
Posts: 744
Joined: August 6, 2004
Status: offline
|
I'll look for the site I saw it on, it was while doing research for a paper my wife is writing for her DPT. I don't have any idea if it is true or not, it would seem crazy to let a DC decide this.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - July 10, 2005 6:42:00 PM
|
|
|
Dr Simon Bacaltos
Posts: 17
Joined: April 21, 2005
From: New York City
Status: offline
|
I found an interesting site from other profession perspectives on various degrees and titles;from MD's, JD's, EdD's, PhD's... an enlightening reading for us who novice doctors.
[URL=http://www.allguinness.com/cgi-local/mt/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=802]www.allguinness.com/cgi-local/mt/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=802[/URL]
http://www.allguinness.com/cgi-local/mt/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=802
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - October 21, 2005 4:01:00 AM
|
|
|
Sean_Collins
Posts: 74
Joined: October 20, 2005
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline
|
Sorry - this is very late as I am a new member to RehabEdge. Regarding degrees - I read this statement:
"the DPT is a clinical degree, not an academic degree (I assume that you simply made a typo), and not even terminal clinical degree at that --- a DScPT is the terminal clinical degree in the profession of physical therapy"
I agree the DPT is a clinical degree - most often now it is an entry level clinical degree. However, to state that a DScPT is a terminal clinical degree for the profession is a huge leap from a few academic programs that may offer this degree as a clinical degree. Several more universities - particularly in Public Health - offer the DSc, or ScD (one in the same) as a research based - dissertation required terminal doctoral degree. Unfortunately the proliferation of degrees has led to a state of confusion.
The terminal clinical degree for the profession, in my opinion, is any doctorate that is earned beyond the entry level degree that focuses on the clinical aspects of the profession and does not require a dissertation (usually a work of original scholarship resulting in several publishable papers (> 3), and making up a significant portion of the academic plan for the degree). If the degree requires a dissertation (as outlined above) it is a research or academic degree. The reason that a research degree is one in the same as a terminal academic degree has to due with the purpose of the academy to uphold and advance the body of knowledge in the disciplines that come together "universally" in the university. To advance a body of knowledge requires the philosophical approaches of inquiry including deduction and induction. Very often these philosophical approaches can fit within the epistemology known as empiricism, and the metaphysic (or first philosophy named by Aristotle) of naturalism. If you limit your philosophy for inquiry in your profession to naturalism and empiricism you are employing the scientific method - which is where the degree: Doctor of Science - ScD or DSc emerged.
Best -
Sean
_____________________________
Sean M. Collins, PT, ScD, CCS
Associate Professor
Research Coordinator
Department of Physical Therapy
Coordinator, Graduate Program in Disability Outcomes
Adjunct Professor, Department of Work Environment
School of Health &
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - October 21, 2005 3:56:00 PM
|
|
|
jma
Posts: 2414
Joined: August 24, 2000
From: NY
Status: offline
|
Nice to add this to the mix. Welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 3, 2006 1:28:00 PM
|
|
|
clydesdale6
Posts: 65
Joined: January 2, 2006
Status: offline
|
I think the Doctors of P.T. should be able to use the title of Doctor. Chiropractors are called "Dr" and it doesnt seem to cause a problem. If it is our goal to have direct access than I don't see the problem. I see more of a problem with not being called "Dr". By not getting the title, you will diminish the efforts of those that obtained the degree. Getting the title may possibly draw the attention that this profession needs. I know that many of us are altruistic, but it is not immoral to ask for the recognition, be it a title or finances, that you have earned. I believe you are worth it. Having said that though, I will stop at my masters.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 3, 2006 2:21:00 PM
|
|
|
johngoodrich
Posts: 20
Joined: December 6, 2005
Status: offline
|
I still have a BS, and I have been in the field almost 30 years, so I doubt I will spend the time or money to go further. At the same time, I support the DPT, and I encourage that they refer to themselves as Doctors. I just hired 2 DPTs, and I have suggested that they introduce themselves to patients as, "I am Dr. ___ ____; you can call me ___. Ultimately, it's their call. I'm interested in how others approach this.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 3, 2006 3:22:00 PM
|
|
|
tc
Posts: 137
Joined: January 7, 2004
From: Los Angeles area
Status: offline
|
jwg,
i'm not in the situation as i'm MPT and don't need to worry about the dr. issue, but i'm curious as to why you wouldn't advise them to say "I'm Dr. Joe Smith, your physical therapist, but you can call me Joe" so as to avoid any confusion that they are at the "doctor's" office.
I do think that they are doctors in the literal sense, but patients need to know you are their PT, not their general medical "doctor".
I just think that while we're in this transition time patients need to start to equate Dr with PT (by saying them both) for the DPTs and not just imagine they are a different kind of MD. It sounds like a sticky point, but patients get so confused. Just like I think it's silly when chiropractors just put Dr. Joe Smith on their cards, etc. rather than Joe Smith, Doctor of Chiropractic (or DC). It's misleading because you don't know anything specific from the term "Dr.", could be PhD, MD, DC, DPT, etc.
Just my thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 3, 2006 4:00:00 PM
|
|
|
clydesdale6
Posts: 65
Joined: January 2, 2006
Status: offline
|
jwg, I think that is a good approach. I will not be going further, but throw me a new jack and I will call him Dr. ------ without a problem. I believe it does add more credibility and I am sure the Dr. PT would explain that he is a P.T.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 10, 2006 11:52:00 AM
|
|
|
pilatespt
Posts: 9
Joined: August 3, 2002
Status: offline
|
No one should be called "Dr." unless that person is an MD, period.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 10, 2006 1:51:00 PM
|
|
|
JLS_PT_OCS
Posts: 1684
Joined: January 30, 2005
From: USA
Status: offline
|
pilates-
I am willing to bet that legions of DOs and PhDs would beg to differ.
But hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion...
J
_____________________________
Jason Silvernail DPT, OCS, CSCS
"It isn't what you're able to do that requires your courage but rather what you have come to understand and are willing to express." - Barrett Dorko,PT
**I no longer post on RehabEdge**
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 10, 2006 1:55:00 PM
|
|
|
tc
Posts: 137
Joined: January 7, 2004
From: Los Angeles area
Status: offline
|
pilates-
PhDs were the original doctors. Back when MDs were considered sellers of snake oils.
tc
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 10, 2006 8:53:00 PM
|
|
|
nari
Posts: 1568
Joined: November 14, 2003
From: Australia
Status: offline
|
tc
Absolutely right. The doctors 'stole' the title and it has gone amuk after that.
Nari
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 11, 2006 12:10:00 AM
|
|
|
Andrew M. Ball PT PhD
Posts: 855
Joined: July 28, 2002
From: Charlotte, NC
Status: offline
|
As a PT, PhD who went back to earn a DPT, I'd tend to agree. At present, it's not about what the patient thinks, they really don't care. They understand if I say, "I'm Dr. Ball, I'll be your physical therapist --- but if you don't call me doctor, I won't have to call you sir/madam, so please call me Drew." That usually gets a laugh, builds rapport, and intills the idea of a DPT.
To introduce oneself in the clinic as a doctor with only a PhD is inappropriate as the PhD is not a clinical degree. Furthermore, to introduce oneself as a doctor with a DPT may not be so smart because it makes co-workers, referring MD's/DO's, and supervisors who may not have the DPT, a bit nervous. I suppose, were I the boss, I'd get a little tired of explaining why I as the boss were not a doctor, but all of my underlings were.
There is pride in the achievement, and there is respect for the other professionals around you. A balance must be achieved.
Drew
_____________________________
Dr. Andrew M. Ball, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 11, 2006 8:23:00 AM
|
|
|
srcase
Posts: 551
Joined: November 30, 2004
From: Michigan
Status: offline
|
Underlings?? Ouch! So, are you saying that someone with a DPT shouldn't be called Dr. but someone with a DScPT should??
Sarah
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 11, 2006 8:28:00 AM
|
|
|
Synergy
Posts: 592
Joined: March 11, 2004
From: Texas
Status: offline
|
Sarah,
I don't think Drew was inferring that at all. To me, it simply sounds like Drew is stating (in the scenario he presented) that those working for him are underlings. I don't think he was making a connection between 'underlings' and the those with a DPT. At least this is my understanding. :)
_____________________________
Chris Adams, PT, MPT
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 11, 2006 11:08:00 AM
|
|
|
JLS_PT_OCS
Posts: 1684
Joined: January 30, 2005
From: USA
Status: offline
|
I think "underlings" must be one of those terms of endearment...
Right Dr Ball?
:)
J
_____________________________
Jason Silvernail DPT, OCS, CSCS
"It isn't what you're able to do that requires your courage but rather what you have come to understand and are willing to express." - Barrett Dorko,PT
**I no longer post on RehabEdge**
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 11, 2006 12:22:00 PM
|
|
|
Andrew M. Ball PT PhD
Posts: 855
Joined: July 28, 2002
From: Charlotte, NC
Status: offline
|
To use myself as an example, I am not the Director of Rehab. I work for the Director of Rehab. He has 8 year of experience on me as a PT, all of it in outpatient orthopedics (I switched from pediatrics to outpatient ortho 3 years ago). He is an ATC with a MAPT. He's taken course, after course, after course, and used to work with the New England Patriots. He does not have is DPT, PhD, nor DScPT.
He tells me all the time that it's the quality of my work that he values, not my degrees --- I agree. Then I point out that were it not for my PhD, MBA, and DPT, he would not have given my resume a second look --- especially since he had no open positions at the time --- he agrees.
My point was that my boss has no DPT, has no PhD, has no MBA (all of which I've earned). I am, nevertheless, his underling (a term I used because I never seem to spell employee correctly), and I can respect how my introducing myself as "Dr. Ball" to every patient, physician, and PT, may make him a little uncomfortable.
I, with DPT, PhD, and MBA earned, am still the underling. Still the employee. My point is that new graduate DPT's would be wise to understand that reality, as well as the fact that as a novice clinician, they are not (or at least should not), be anywhere other than the bottom of the clinic's clinical organizational chart.
Drew
_____________________________
Dr. Andrew M. Ball, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 11, 2006 4:20:00 PM
|
|
|
cnelligan
Posts: 54
Joined: February 14, 2005
From: Indianapolis, IN
Status: offline
|
The DPT's have worked hard for their title. They should use it and be proud of that accomplishment. Certainly within the academic world, within teaching activies, within the world of credentialing and the like. But, what I keep considering is that the patient really only cares about how you treat them. The general public still believes that DOCTOR means PHYSICIAN. To the patient, it's not your title, but your actions that count.
Forgive me for lightening this up a bit.
My physician friends have a joke and frankly I am quite tired of hearing it. "When someone passes out on a plane and the panicking flight attendant calls for a Doctor (for the Coach Class public) who stands up?
The Chriropractor? The research Ph.D.? The Podiatrist? The fact is, it isn't about titles...it is about what we do for the patient.
_____________________________
Carroll Nelligan, MHA, OTR
Professional Coach
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 12, 2006 11:57:00 AM
|
|
|
JLS_PT_OCS
Posts: 1684
Joined: January 30, 2005
From: USA
Status: offline
|
Carroll-
I have heard that joke, too. It actually is a double-edged sword. If it was you who were ill or injured, and they call for a "doctor", would you really want a Reproductive Endocrinologist standing up? How about a Dermatologist? Or a Radiologist? I'd rather have an ER nurse or a paramedic come help me than any of those "real doctors".
I think our colleages in medicine like to think of themselves sometimes as a homogenous group, when in fact their specialties are as diverse and limited in their own ways as ours are.
If "doctor" only means someone who can take care of someone acutely ill, then you really throw out most physician specialites and have to add in paramedics, PAs, FNPs, and some others.
I have met several physicians who work in primary care or emergency medicine who don't consider most physician specialists to be "real doctors" just because of this fact. Pretty funny, and I think another way to see how silly the title game really is.
J
_____________________________
Jason Silvernail DPT, OCS, CSCS
"It isn't what you're able to do that requires your courage but rather what you have come to understand and are willing to express." - Barrett Dorko,PT
**I no longer post on RehabEdge**
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should PTs be called "Dr." - January 12, 2006 2:04:00 PM
|
|
|
hmgross
Posts: 292
Joined: February 28, 2003
From: Minnesota
Status: offline
|
Totally agree with tc--What about Dr. Jones, dentist, or Dr. Smith, high school teacher (we have only one in our school that I know of and the kids refer to him as "Doc" and I think they are smart enough to know he can't treat their injuries!!) I really haven't noticed any other profession beside the chiropractic that will refer to themselves by Dr.Johnson, DC. Looked strange the first time I saw that in a phone book or billboard ad.
_____________________________
Holly Gross PT
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
0.094
|
Printable Version
