Do those with PhDs in the NHS use their title?

[Jellyfish15357]

Wondering how common it is for people with PhDs but aren’t clinical staff to use their title if they work in the NHS.

Does anyone work in the NHS and know how widespread it is?

I’m starting a new job and I’m wondering weather to get Dr or Ms on my paperwork.

I’m assuming whatever is on my contract will go on ID cards and admin stuff. I don’t tend to put it on my email signature and I don’t introduce myself using it, I just say first name last name.

My PhD isn’t relevant to current role but I’d like to progress to a research role in the NHS where it would be required.

I'm just as likely to introduce myself to people as "Hello, I'm Heron and I'm the one of the mad scientists." But then I've been here a gazillion years and they know I'm as likely to be making the tea as crunching statistics.

I believe OP said she's not patient-facing.
I worked in NHS data analyst role 3 years ago.
I asked a room full of colleagues if I should use the Dr in my emails.
"Hell yeah!" was the tone of the response.

@CleverKnot it is patient facing and building relationships with patients is an important part of the role.

DP is an administrator in a children's hospital and has a PhD. Doesn't use his as just too confusing eg. Sends a lot of emails to patients and he doesn't want to be in a position where they are asking him for medical advice although they do anyway but that's another issue 😂

Yes. There won't be confusion as your job title will also be on your id badge.

My ex has it on his badge, his on a clinical site 1-2 days a week or was pre covid, no idea now (mostly seems to be at his house still).

I know a couple of nurses who have a phd. But it causes to much confusion, so I don't think they use it except when they want to show us how far up their own backsides they are.

Use it unless it’s in something not remotely relevant to clinical practice - I work with plenty of junior drs who introduced themselves as dr so n so. You’ve earned the title.

You’ll spend plenty of time explaining your role to patients anyway. The issue is if you allow people to think your a medic.

@Jellyfish15357

… she will have gone through training in research menthols in relation to her subject (whichever it may be) to get her PhD. Not all medical research is down the line quantitative/natural sciences based and her years experience on the job as research nurse may actually equate to more than a PhD. So I wouldn’t have had an issue with this.

Mmmm I’m aware of how PhD (in the U.K.) are taught/ researched/ conducted/ examined but I think now I’ve RTFT that I definitely disagree with using a qualification at work that has no bearing on my role.

A doctorate in obscure French tapestry technique is not relevant to being a research nurse. Never has, never will be.

I could add a string of post nominals myself but… why?!

@Toddlerteaplease

I know a couple of nurses who have a phd. But it causes to much confusion, so I don't think they use it except when they want to show us how far up their own backsides they are.

That's a bit nasty @Toddlerteaplease - to be awarded a PhD as a nurse ( or anyone ) takes a considerable amount of effort, usually whilst working as well.

I use on paperwork etc as it's relevant to the role, but I'm selective in using it day to day, e.g. Don't introduce myself to patients that way.

@Carriemac I know it's hard work but they think they as gods gift to mankind!

MIL and FIL both did. Personally, if I had a PhD I’d be insisting on it being used all the time. Dr mummy from my son lol

@AgathaMystery

Depends.

I used to work with a research nurse who had a PhD. Her name badge (not ID badge) said Dr Jane Jones as did her email signature and that was how she answered the phone etc.

The issue I (& others) had with this was that it is entirely reasonable for patients & lay members of the public to assume, when in hospital, that the person named Dr Jones is in fact a medical doctor. Especially elderly or vulnerable patients.

No one knows what someone’s PhD is in, that’s the problem. Hers was in a very niche form of ancient tapestry making. Yet she freely used her qualification at work, as a research nurse.

Why would you do that?! It baffles me.

Because she fucking earned it?

Thanks everyone for thoughts on this!

In the context of my role, leaving it out of introductions/badges etc. but adding it in to paperwork/emails if I’m doing anything research related, could be a good option for me.

I’m not going to reply now, as some of the comments are getting nasty and it wasn’t the intention of this thread to set up a competition between with/without/health/non health related PhDs.