Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:50:41 GMT

I avoided chicken pox until I was 30. I then went to visit my parents for a weekend, and attended an agricultural show. I assume that's where I picked up chicken pox, because there weren't any cases in the town where I was working. Anyway, I went to the doctor, covered in itchy spots, and feeling rotten. He asked whether I'd attended any dogs with sarcoptic mange. I answered "Yes" He said that's what was wrong with me. The following morning, the practice secretary took 1 look at me, and said, "I know what's wrong with you. You've got chicken pox. You look exactly like my kids did when they had chicken pox "

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:50:25 GMT

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

mariette asselbergs — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:40:47 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

Someone has listened!!!!

In the RCVS News, front page it says we must not suggest or imply that we hold a human medical qualification. It has accepted that we are medically qualified.

Of course we should not imply we have a medical qualification, why would we want to?

That said, 1 diagnosed whooping cough in my nephew, not his doctor and a client had hyperthyroidism diagnosed by a vet doing a farm visit! We see more kennel cough and hyperthyroidism than the average GP!

I can step down from at least one of my soap boxes!

[/quote]

I had a venous thrombophlebitis misdiagnosed as a sprained ankle! I told the doctor it couldn't be that but he pointed to my crocs and said that wearing that inappropriate footwear I must have sprained my ankle! Even gave me an NHS leaflet on sprained ankles. Luckily my partner is a doctor too, and a better one....(agreed with me).

Mariette

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Niall Connell — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:13:15 GMT

[quote user="Tim Browning"]

I have just tried to change Mr to Dr on renewing RCVS membership online and it would not allow this without insisting on uploading some document, as was deemed a change of name rather than just the title.

As I didn't know what document to upload I will have to be Mr for another year.

[/quote]

Dear Tim,

Hopefully you won’t have to wait for as long as a year. At the bottom of the article “Dr who” on the front page of the recent RCVS News, it says “Vets may start using the title straight away; details about how your RCVS Register entries can be updated will be issued over the coming months.”

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Tim Browning — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 10:33:51 GMT

As I didn't know what document to upload I will have to be Mr for another year.

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 14:18:28 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]Ah, I'm in the nitenite. Cheap (not as cheap as yours!) but you roll out of bed, walk up bridge street and you're at the IC[/quote]

Was kind of limited in choices - either £600 for the hyatt opposite the ICC or where I've got! I like to think the 15 minute walk will allow the alcohol fumes to dissipate...

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:44:39 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]Where the hell did you get that?! (where's the jealousy smiley!)[/quote]

ibis budget. What's even better is that it's a triple room, so will (hopefully) be splitting the cost with a couple of friends. Even cheaper! Only 15 minute walk from the ICC.

[/quote]

Ah, I'm in the nitenite. Cheap (not as cheap as yours!) but you roll out of bed, walk up bridge street and you're at the ICC!

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Lizzie Lockett — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:40:41 GMT

Yes I heard, Bob! It was just a mistake in the release - we changed it on the website and on the RCVS News story. But I think most people understood what was meant in any event, and we certainly didn't mean to offend any one! But glad you are happier...

Cheers

Lizzie

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Bob Russell — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:23:00 GMT

Someone has listened!!!!

In the RCVS News, front page it says we must not suggest or imply that we hold a human medical qualification. It has accepted that we are medically qualified.

Of course we should not imply we have a medical qualification, why would we want to?

I can step down from at least one of my soap boxes!

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 11:03:23 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]Where the hell did you get that?! (where's the jealousy smiley!)[/quote]

ibis budget. What's even better is that it's a triple room, so will (hopefully) be splitting the cost with a couple of friends. Even cheaper! Only 15 minute walk from the ICC.

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 10:29:34 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

Just booking my hotel for BSAVA Congress, got me thinking.. I wonder how many people have booked a room as 'Dr'?

[/quote]

I booked mine back in January, much cheaper then - maybe next year. :)

[/quote]

I've managed to get 3 nights for £150, can't moan.

[/quote]

Where the hell did you get that?! (where's the jealousy smiley!)

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 10:11:29 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

Just booking my hotel for BSAVA Congress, got me thinking.. I wonder how many people have booked a room as 'Dr'?

[/quote]

I booked mine back in January, much cheaper then - maybe next year. :)

[/quote]

I've managed to get 3 nights for £150, can't moan.

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 09:47:45 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

Just booking my hotel for BSAVA Congress, got me thinking.. I wonder how many people have booked a room as 'Dr'?

[/quote]

I booked mine back in January, much cheaper then - maybe next year. :)

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

ruths — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 02:38:28 GMT

I have just had an email from a colleague and the signature says Dr xxxxx MRCVS

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Wren — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:53:29 GMT

I think I've just found the perfect situation to use my title for the first time - a letter of complaint to a GP practice after a woefully inadequate consultation this morning.

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:59:38 GMT

Just booking my hotel for BSAVA Congress, got me thinking.. I wonder how many people have booked a room as 'Dr'?

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Bob Russell — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:52:45 GMT

I have told my nieces that I will only respond to D'uncle. Druncle was a little too close to the truth.

I plan to use the title as much as I can and as often as I can!

So far the tax office have not bothered finding the missing thousands from me and are suggesting they will be coming for all my worldly goods! Copies of the bank statement are now readily available at work and home! Still addressing the demands to Mr Russell though!

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 17:54:02 GMT

I did a limited (n==2) survey.

Response 1 "People will think all you can do is sign certificates - and 3/4 of those will be wrong!"

Response 2 "Don't do it. You won't have any customers, as people won't bother phoning. They'll think that by the time the animalgets an appointment, it will either be better or will have snuffed it,"

Hardly a ringing endorsement for enhanced status

Wynne

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Eamon McAllister — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 22:52:38 GMT

I intend to make full use of the title at every opportunity. It may be wishful thinking on my part but I see it's use as a gateway to long overdue fame and fortune and it will without doubt enhance my attractiveness to the opposite sex. DREAM ON MCALLISTER

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Liz w — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 22:50:48 GMT

Is the title linked to the degree or to membership of the RCVS? Would those vets who have left the profession still be entitled to use Dr?

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Bob Russell — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:55:29 GMT

[quote user="Carolyn"]

So are we allowed to use Dr on driving licence/bank accounts/credit cards - or is it only for professional use?

I am in the process of applying for a mortgage and don't know if I am allowed to have the title doctor for this purpose! (Might get me a better deal...?!)

[/quote]

Go for it!

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Carolyn — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:45:48 GMT

So are we allowed to use Dr on driving licence/bank accounts/credit cards - or is it only for professional use?

I am in the process of applying for a mortgage and don't know if I am allowed to have the title doctor for this purpose! (Might get me a better deal...?!)

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:58:23 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]About the only advantage I can see to Dr is it will stop other people writing Ms - that really is a pet hate of mine![/quote]

I hadn't thought of that. Hear hear. I think that alone is reason enough for the introduction of the title.

[quote user="Niall Connell"]After spelling my name, the security guard asked, "Is that Professor or Mister....?"
I said, "it's funny you should ask that........."[/quote]

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Niall Connell — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:30:20 GMT

I checked in at the security gate at Glasgow Vet School today as I arrived to help with teaching this morning's 2nd Year Communication Skills session. After spelling my name, the security guard asked, "Is that Professor or Mister....?"
I said, "it's funny you should ask that........."

Re: Do you think vets should be addressed as 'Dr'?

Claudia Niehoegen — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:57:41 GMT

I've got the Dr title on my passport and most bank cards but am still waiting for it to grant me any upgrades...

Having taken 4 years to gain it I felt at the time I wanted to display it. My husband didn't do a PhD because he argued one Dr title on the practice sign is enough for both of us.

When we lived in a village in Germany I used to do our banking at the local post office, always courteously addressed as Mrs N. After months my husband went and was addressed as Dr. N. When he clarified that he was a mere Mr. and his wife was the Dr. the poor post office clerk almost collapsed in shame and horror at having shown me such disrespect for months. Poor man!

As I've said before, I don't miss the Dr title but would prefer not always to be addressed by first name.