Masterchef - 'children's doctor' rather than paediatrician

[cakeywakey]

Was watching Masterchef last night and was a bit when the voiceover and onscreen intro described one contestant as a 'children's doctor'. John Torode then came along and said something along the lines of 'So you're a paediatrician, why do you want to get into cooking?'.

Why did the programme go for, what I feel is, a dumbed down version of this man's professional job title? DH reckons it could be that people here 'paed ...' and just hear '..ophile'. Or is the BBC just talking down to viewers? What do you think?

yes I noticed this too - I was in the kitchen so listening rather than wathcing and it was so obvious. Who uses the term 'children's doctor'? Everyone knows it it is paediatrician. Annoying as you say.

Friend who is a paediatrician says it is standard practice to refer to themselves as "baby doctor" as so many people get confused otherwise

Really stealthsquiggle? I'm amazed at that.

I'm all for plain language, but in the correct places and instances. Dumbing down commonly heard and understood medical titles is just going for the lowest common denominator.

People might be a bit, eh?, the first time they hear an unfamiliar job title, but would remember and cotton on after that. Wouldn't they?

I only have her word for it Claire, but she has worked in a number of hospitals and they have all done it. She does actually deal with babies, though (neonatal) so I am not sure it would work for a general Paediatrician - can you imagine convincing a 10yo that they had to go and see a "baby doctor" ?

The "baby doctor" came to check over all of my three children shortly after birth -- I harrumphed "baby doctor? Do you mean paediatrician?" every time

• Just LOL very loudly!

As a doctor, a lot of my patients DO NOT know medical specialists such as paediatrician, nephrologist, cardiologist, radiologist.

Sure, lots of well-informed patients know. But so many patients don't know. My patients range from professors & CEO's to illegal immigrants & drug addicts.

It depends where u live to. If you live in Chelsea or Hemel Hemstead, you probably will know. But if you live in Edmonton or Peckham, probably not.

P.S. I hate the term "baby doctor" on tv.

But surely you learn new words by hearing them? If the powers that be decide people won't understand paediatrician, so better use children's/baby doctor instead, then you're perpetuating ignorance. Is it not better to use the correct term, with a brief explanation if necessary? Or she we just erase all 'difficult' words from the language just in case and accept the country's standards should be lowered instead of understanding that most people have the capability of learning a new word?

Some years ago, a very elderly relative of mine received two hospital letters on the same day, one for an Orthotics appointment and one for an Orthoptics appointment.

"Hurty Foot Person" and "Blurry Eye Person" would actually have been a lot more use to her at that point!