| In recent years, I've frequently heard people claim | | | | rule? Would it not be better to educate people on |
| that individuals who hold PhDs are not "real" doctors. | | | | the historical, established usage of this term--usage |
| These people assert that only physicians can rightfully | | | | that persists to this day? |
| claim this title, and that it's inappropriate for | | | | Some say, "If you refer to a PhD-holder as 'Doctor |
| PhD-holders to use this term. | | | | Smith,' then people will assume that he's a physician. |
| Frankly, I'm surprised. I thought it was common | | | | So what happens if there's a medical emergency? Do |
| knowledge that there are both medical and | | | | you want people running to Smith for medical help?" |
| non-medical doctors, and that this is a legitimate term | | | | Frankly, I think that this argument betrays a low |
| to use in both situations. Apparently though, common | | | | opinion of the public's intelligence; it assumes that |
| knowledge isn't always as common as one would | | | | people are too dim-witted to learn, and that we may |
| hope. For this reason, I'd like to take a moment to | | | | as well accept the inevitable. Personally,I would rather |
| dispel some of the myths behind this title. (For the | | | | fight ignorance gently than assume such a lowly |
| sake of brevity, I shall henceforth focus on the PhD | | | | opinion of the common man's intellience. Would some |
| degree; however, the same arguments hold for | | | | people continue to think that only physicians merit |
| comparable degrees such as the ScD and the ThD). | | | | this title? Probably so--but I suspect that the vast |
| Can PhDs legitimately claim to be doctors? Absolutely! | | | | majority of individuals are intelligent enough to learn |
| The term "doctor" is derived from the Latin verb | | | | otherwise. |
| docere, which means "to teach." Historically, it refers | | | | For some reason, many also think that the MD is |
| to a teacher or, by extension, a scholar. It did not | | | | much more difficult to attain than a PhD. I can |
| specifically refer to a physician. This title was later | | | | understand why; after all, we've all heard horror |
| co-opted by the medical community though, due to | | | | stories about medical students working long hours |
| the respect and prestige that it imputes. In one of | | | | and stayin up all through the night. However, people |
| life's great ironies, many uninformed laypeople now | | | | simply don't realize how laborious a PhD program can |
| percieve the medical degree to be more prestigious | | | | be. PhD students often have to engage in long hours |
| than the lowly PhD, declaring that people who have | | | | of grueling studies and research if they wish to |
| earned the latter are "not real doctors." | | | | complete their studies in a timely fashion. Mind you,I |
| Some people say, "Well, most people only think of | | | | would never deny that med students are bright, and |
| physicians as doctors. According to the rules of | | | | that medical school is a long and arduous process; in |
| common usage then, PhD-holders shouldn't use this | | | | my experience though, PhD students typically work |
| title." I understand the appeal of this argument, but | | | | just as hard, if not moreso. |
| frankly, I think it's fallacious. There are many | | | | I'd say that when it comes to years of study, PhD |
| individuals that are known to the public as | | | | programs are more demanding as well. When starting |
| "Doctor"--Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Joyce Brothers | | | | from a bachelor's degree, a PhD typically takes from |
| and Dr. Laura Schlessinger. None of these individuals | | | | six to eight years to complete, as opposed to four |
| has a medical degree, and yet they are commonly | | | | years for the medical degree. |
| accorded this title. | | | | When someone declares that physicians are the only |
| Moreover, I think that this argument panders to | | | | real doctors, he is simply mistaken. I'd say that PhDs |
| ignorance, rather than fighting it. If a large portion of | | | | have every right to this title--and I say that based on |
| the population thinks that (or acts as though) only | | | | the title's etymology, the demands of their programs |
| MD-holders truly merit the title of "doctor," should we | | | | and the accepted, contemporary usage of this term, |
| bend over backwards and let their misperceptions | | | | even outside of academic circles. |