To wonder why we always call doctors by their last name

[Loveandpeace56]

In any other profession this wouldn’t be the case. Even teachers do often refer to themselves by their first names but with a doctor this would never happen.

Because the title Doctor comes before the surname, not first name. So its always Dr.Jones not Dr.Josh

The only teachers I've ever known to refer to themselves as a first name have been at college rather than in schools, unless it's a recent thing. I would say it's a mark of respect. In the past you wouldn't refer to anyone you respected by their first name so it's just a hangover from that I guess.

@Loveandpeace56

In any other profession this wouldn’t be the case. Even teachers do often refer to themselves by their first names but with a doctor this would never happen.

What, really? It's a prefix to a name, like Sir or Professor. It's an acknowledgement of professional knowledge and expertise. If you needed surgery, would you call the consultant Mr Jones as he would probably be introduced, or call him David just because 'the salesman down Curries goes by his first name'?

I've never referred to a teacher by their first name unless I know them personally, or had an open invitation to do so.

Some GP surgeries use first names, e.g. 'Dr Sally' or 'Dr Dave'.

Odd question

Dr Autumn

Professor Autumn

Ms Autumn

It’s a prefix title.

Some doctors use their first names especially if long/foreign which are difficult for older people to hear/remember.

All the GPs at my surgery are Dr John, Dr Jenny, Dr Lucy etc. So still respectful but not pompous. I like it.

I call DD’s teacher Mrs Surname even though I once taught her. No idea why.

It's just a hangover from when any unknown adult would be Mr. or Mrs/Ms/Miss Smith. A respect marker.

Your relationship with your Dr is very intimate and keeping their role at the forefront of this by calling them Dr keeps the relationship on a professional level and makes patients more comfortable.

It gives people confidence in authority. Lots of teachers have PhDs but don’t call themselves Dr because the public doesn’t need to trust them.

Dr is a title like Mr, Mrs, Professor. Convention is title+surname.

It doesn't bother me, but if the teacher thread on the same topic was anything to go by some people have massive chips on their shoulder at anything other than first names being some conspiracy to play power games.

It’s to show respect, surely?

I’ve never worked with a single teacher who would refer to themselves by their first name either. I use my first name when emailing parents but never to pupils.

Our family doctor we call by his first name but that’s probably because my parents knew him growing up as he was the older brother of their mutual friend. Guess it felt strange to start calling him dr lastname after so many years

I'm a TA and parents and children (and colleagues in front of them)call me Miss Accidentally or Miss A .

I mean would it really help if you were able to call your doctor Jimmy instead of Doctor whatever?

I’m a hospital doctor and I don’t mind what my patients call me as long as they understand my
role. I often use my first name with patients as do most of my junior colleagues. I usually introduce myself first name surname one of the doctors on the ward. Some patients will then call me Dr Surname. However I’m now getting towards the end of my registrar training so I think I’ll probably start using Dr only before I’m a consultant.

Oh god it’s so annoying sometimes, I’ve been lucky enough to have some private medical treatment recently, two different clinics with surgeon level consultants. The women who are both INSANE in their fields both are seemingly fine with being called by their first names, the two male consultants’ assistants have insisted they are called mr x and mr y, even though they call me by my first name? Is it because they’re so vair well educated and important? I have seven years of tertiary education and multiple degrees, should I then be insisting they call me Ms Jones?

I think that it is is basic manners that if you want to be called Mr X you should be using other people’s titles and that if you’re using other people’s first names then you should expect to be called by your first name. Anything else just smacks of ‘but I want to show you how IMPORTANT I am!’

Some doctors use their first names especially if long/foreign which are difficult for older people to hear/remember.

DW's very nice surgeon was "Dr Mary". Her surname was indeed something long and foreign. My memory may be wrong, but I think she was "Dr Mary" even to other hospital staff.

My DH is a hospital consultant and depending on the patient will introduce himself by his first name, dr first name last name or dr last name. Whatever makes them most comfortable. Older people tend to prefer the latter, many younger ones the former, he doesn't care.

@AccidentallyOnSanta

I'm a TA and parents and children (and colleagues in front of them)call me Miss Accidentally or Miss A .

I mean would it really help if you were able to call your doctor Jimmy instead of Doctor whatever?

Meh. Kids’ first school everyone was called by first name, top performing primary school and seemed to work fine. Current school it is all Mrs Smith and Ms Jones, which I absolutely respect.

My issue is medical situations where they want to call you by your first name but also for you to call them by Mr X. That totally is a random power play! What else could it be? It’s not convention or manners or etiquette, as those would be titles both way.

I am both an MD and a PhD. People call me by my first name. Unless I really dislike them or it's a pompous professional setting. I use my title, but I don't expect respect as a result. If it takes a title to earn respect, then the respect isn't worth having. The professional respect I have comes from what I have done, not what letters I have before or after my name.

I call DD’s teacher Mrs Surname even though I once taughther. No idea why.

Because she's no longer a child? What did/does she call you, because if its Mrs Hobby and would feel odd/rude if she called you 'Outed' then it's only fair you refer to her the same.

My doctor introduces herself with her first name. But I think it’s odd you think it’s odd for the norm to be Dr Jones or whatever.

I also understand using the ‘Dr’ title as that makes it clear to patients that this is... the doctor!

The solicitor dealing with my mum's estate was a Mr surname. He'd have his secretary ring me then I'd have to hold for him!

All staff are first names at DS3's school and I find it awkward. DS1 has been in an ASD Provision for 3 years and I'm never really sure if we're on first or last names so I try to avoid.
DS2 school is nice and straight forward title and surnames.

@Moondust001 does that make you Dr Dr or Dr² ?