Doctor Who?

Re: Doctor Who?

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 11:08:44 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]I'm a doctor of veterinary medicine, why shouldn't I be proud of it?[/quote]In the medical profession the title Mr gives a measure of superiority over colleagues who are still Dr. I am happy to say that I am a surgeon therefore I have transcended being a mere Dr and I am Mr.

[/quote]

See, that's interesting - in the USA, 'Mr' is an automatic form of respect, rather than being restricted to the upper class or professionals. In the UK, if you've got no status, you've got no 'Mr' either.'

So It's actually quite backwards overseas; the Mr isn't a big deal. Go figure!

Re: Doctor Who?

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:29:05 GMT

Re: Doctor Who?

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:20:24 GMT

Overseas grads don't use it to portray a superior standing - it's the degree they got, why shouldn't they call themselves that? (Note: While I'm a DVM, I only use the 'Dr' overseas, not in the UK - mainly as a point of courtesy to not annoy my colleagues. But I'm a doctor of veterinary medicine, why shouldn't I be proud of it?)

It's not a courtesy title overseas - it's what we are. It's not a postgrad qualification; you leave vet school with a doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM). After all, what other countries have a 5 or 6 year bachelor's degree?

Re: Doctor Who?

Alastair Franklin — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 02:52:11 GMT

I think you may not be being cynical enough.

There are 2 separate issues here. Firstly, the (honorary) use of Dr - this should not be a bar to overseas students, since upon their return to their home country, they can still generally use Dr as an honorary title (ie so makes no difference). Second issue, which is independent of the Dr title, is the switch to DVM type courses. - ie more in line with the US. Now this is where the lucre potentially comes in - postgrad fees anyone?

My personal issue with the Dr title is the use in the UK by overseas grads who use it to portray a superior standing to domestic grads- this is where it needs clarification / simplification for the public. To be honest, I'm not fussed either way, but it should be an all or nothing approach - ie either we all can use it or non-one except genuine (research) doctorate holders can.