To think it's a bit off (re: chiropractic)

[CrunchyFrog]

For a practitioner of Chiropractic to call themselves "Dr," even if they are technically/ academically entitled to do so?

Apparently this particular one has a qualification known as "Doctor of Chiropractic"

There's a big article in the local paper, contributed, which is headlined "Take the best advice to get health on track in the new year." The picture is captioned "Dr X McX has delivered quality chiropractic care to the area since 2001.

You have to read through half of the article before it states (in brackets) that he is a Doctor of Chiropractic rather than a medical doctor. Quite apart from the fact that it states that Chiropractic "will" heal a wide variety of complaints.

I thought maybe he was a local GP who had additional qualifications, but no.

AIBU to think he is using his title of "Dr" in order to lend weight to chiropractic, and by extension his business?

And AIBU to think this is wrong, and write to the paper about the intentionally misleading nature of the article?

[addictediam]

But if he has a doctorate he is a Dr. There are Dr's of science, should they not use the term Dr so people don't confuse them with Dr's of medicine? Dh wants to do a doctorate in law, will it be OK for him to use the title Dr?

[Grumpla]

I'd be more concerned about the claim that it "will" heal stuff. That sounds suspiciously like false advertising to me. I thought people were meant to say "can help with X" and the like?

You're absolutely right that he is using his title to drum up business but if people are naive enough to think that every doctor is a medical doctor then there's not much that can be done about that!

[pinksky]

Chiropractors are advised not to use the 'Dr' title - see GCC guidelines and most do not these days.

I have a PhD and use my Dr title, but I work in a medical school so to save confusion my email sig specifies PhD.

[entropygirl]

complain to ASA. It is misleading to use Dr. when you are promoting 'medical' treatment unless you actually are a medical doctor.

[CrunchyFrog]

entropygirl that's what I was thinking - OK, as addicted suggests to use the title if your field is nothing to do with healthcare, but it seems deliberately misleading when in complementary medicine.

[addictediam]

I can see why it would be miss leading, but as they are only advised not to use the title, I can see why some still will.

It sounds like the whole article was dodgy tho, saying he will heal is just wrong. Not even Dr can claim that!

[addictediam]

Sorry that should be not even a hcp can claim that!! :o

[ReindeerBollocks]

I know several who use that title despite GCC guidelines. Mainly for their clinics.

I know one (who has form for being an arsehole) who demanded I use her Dr title at everything and was most annoyed when it wasn't displayed at our wedding!

However I do believe that if you studied at certain places, because of the course structure, then they are legitimately allowed to use Dr.