Physician’s associate introduced as Dr at GP surgery

[Elenor444]

The man I saw introduced himself as “Dr fhdjdj” so I assumed that I’d seen a GP.
Then only after the appointment I found out that my prescription was awaiting approval from a GP and that i’d actually not even seen a GP

should I write and complain?
anyone else been misled?

Why would a psychologist need to use the title doctor anymore than another hospital worker with a PhD?

Doctor has a specific meaning in a hospital setting.
Patients are vulnerable and are putting their trust in the person that is seeing them - it should be absolutely clear what their role is.
Consultant has a more specific meaning still. So if someone introduces themselves as a consultant then it is usually taken to be a medical consultant.
Nurse consultants are usually very good at introducing themselves as such.

*very at introducing themselves as Nurse Consultants

Because all psychologists are doctors? That's their title?

Absolutely this.

I find it very insulting to the many health care professionals who have undergone extra training (master's degrees/clinical examination competencies and so forth) to be told that they only people who can treat illnesses are 'doctors'. Advanced clinical practitioners are fully competent in diagnosing and treating illness. Many can also prescribe.

YTS trainees indeed 🤔

I absolutely agree that people should be clear about their role, I'm just saying that Dr is definitely a standard title for at least one other profession.

Yes, dentists also

but in a medical setting the title Dr is automatically equated to the noun doctor.

Lastly, as you know, Dr Psychiatrist is different from Dr Psychologist

No they aren't ! Psychologists have done a degree in psychology not medicine.... some may be Dr having done a PhD... psychiatrists have done a medical degree then specialised in mental health....

Yup, I'm aware of the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists.

I just think it isn't a sensible suggestion that professions who are, and have always been, doctors should be expected to stop using the title.

I think we just need a format where people are clear about their role and profession.

I’d complain about this too - they shouldn’t be introducing themselves as doctors if they aren’t.

My mum was seen by a paramedic at the GPs surgery a while ago as there were no GPs in that day?! And he missed that she had pneumonia in both lungs 😡

Another goady thread about physician assistant role.

A degree in psychology does not make you a psychologist. Psychologists study to doctorate level and use the title dr. That is their standard title.

Dentists are another good example, they use the title dr.

I spoke to a paramedic clinician (or something) in June when I called. He said it sounded like sinus and chest infection (I could have told you that after 21 days of getting worse!) and he would need to clarify with GP and get them to sign off the prescription.

It's only because I went into pharmacy after work I discovered this had in fact been done and I collected it 🤦🏼‍♀️

@BatsHaveButtcheeks if they stuck to their role and their qualifications, as many do, this would not be an issue. But people have died because a PA pretended to be a doctor. They are NOT as qualified but yet earn £11,000 more on starting. Which is bonkers.

I think all politicians and anyone who thinks PAs are equivalent to doctors should only be seen by them.

PS. there are some fantastic PAs, and I'm very happy to be seen by them when I know who they are. My GP has an amazing one who is very clear what they can and can't do. Never tried to mislead or pretend he know me more than he does.

Vets are allowed to call themselves doctors too. Most don't. As they know it would be confusing 😂

I know two people that have been misdiagnosed by a PA who also gave them the impression he was a doctor. Called himself a ‘medic’. I think it’s disgusting. You should be told beforehand who you are seeing, their profession and given the choice. It’s a matter of time before there are serious mistakes and subsequent litigation.

Are you complaining about the use of the title Dr or by being seen by a PA?

Yes, I said that in my previous post
I also have issue with them using introducing themselves with the title Dr in a hospital setting.
It’s less of a concern when they are in specific dental department within a hospital and quite obvious in a general dental practice

I think a lot of posters are getting confided between physician associates (PAs) and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs).

My GPs surgery has a PA and patients seem to be very confused and think they are seeing a real GP. Personally I think it's an awful model.

Stompythedinosaur · Today 18:00

Because all psychologists are doctors? That's their title?

Clinical Psychologists have Dr as title as they do an undergrad degree in psychology and the a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology.

Some graduate psychologists might do an academic PhD in which case they can use ‘Dr’.

Some educational and counselling psychologists have doctorate level training too now.

An undergraduate degree in psychology doesn’t give you Dr as a title.

‘psychologist’ isn’t a protected title and anyone can use it.

You can only call yourself a Clinical Psychologist with doctorate level specific training.

Definitely complain. There was a case recently in north London. A young woman died. Her parents raised a big fuss. The girl was seen twice by a person who called themselves a medic..she assumed gp…wrong diagnosis resulted in her death.

Of course psychologists should use title Dr. You would just say I’m Dr Stanshall and I am your psychologist. It tells the patient their status and that is important.

But I am assuming you wouldn't tar all paramedic practitioners with the same brush? - it isn't a case of them being a paramedic, a GP could also have missed it.

I am also assuming they didn't introduce themselves as 'Dr Paramedic'.

It all Comes down to money. It's a disgrace. They get non qualified people to fill in, fill a gap
In the nhs. The cost is to us!

ACP

See this article. It's just a money cutting thing by nhs. Disgraceful.

I'm a nurse and I've worked with very competent and knowledgeable ACPs. I would always want to see a GP myself unless it was ongoing management of an existing condition, even then it should be very clear of the title of who you are seeing without ambiguity; that doesn't mean I don't respect other healthcare professionals or that it's an insult to suggest that for some things doctors and the training and experience they have is better.

Only a doctor should be using the title Dr in a clinical setting, even if they are a PHD.

I agree. I used to work with a midwife who had a PhD who insisted on referring to herself and getting others to refer to her as Dr. Fine outside of a hospital/healthcare setting but misleading in front of patients and colleagues.