Call me Doctor

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Hi all I had a funny thing happen on my way back from brisvagas the other day, was sitting next to a guy who he was on the window 1a I was 1c the flight attendant came up and asked him if he would like a meal and referred to him as Doctor . A little later in the trip then about an hour so in to the trip, there was some incident in the economy cabin, oxygen taken down the crew going backwards and forwards and then the flight attendant came to Doctor 1A and asked if he could assist with an unwell passenger,to which he replied he was a Doctor of Marine Biology and could not help.I do not have and never will have my professional qualifications on my Qantas Info and avoid it on any documentation. Offered my assistance to the women who it turned out was hyperventilating as she was on her way to get married and had a panic attack,she was fine and left the plane in Melbourne feeling a great deal better and I left with a nice bottle of red for my trouble.It just seems to me that if you promote your self as a Doctor on a plane you may need to preface it with I'm not one who studied medicineDo you display your qualifications on your information ?And if the patient had been a mermaid the he would have been the right type of Doctor
 
Sounds like a university thing. I had a rude shock when I started a course at a university that was formal in using prof and dr. I was on first name basis with all staff during undergraduate degree.

I don't general use my title and I even prefer my first name being used on DJ. But I find in my professional activities that people often assume I'm a Dr (PhD) which can be uncomfortable on an ethical level. It is also hard to explain that I am in fact a Mr, especially to overseas people.
 
Ha ha. All sorts of doctors around Wayne, neither club is too exclusive. Now if you introduce yourself as a quack now see know what you really do!!I know someone who updated a profile the title LORD!!! What value title when you can't breathe.
 
Sounds like a university thing. I had a rude shock when I started a course at a university that was formal in using prof and dr. I was on first name basis with all staff during undergraduate degree.

I don't general use my title and I even prefer my first name being used on DJ. But I find in my professional activities that people often assume I'm a Dr (PhD) which can be uncomfortable on an ethical level. It is also hard to explain that I am in fact a Mr, especially to overseas people.

Are you a surgeon? It's interesting some surgeons I know use Mr others Dr - the whole Mr thing of course sparking from "barber surgeons" back in england, its more of a historical thing than anything. I'm about to commence studying dental surgery, and to be honest will never put any details about my profession or Dr on the FF profile - "Sorry, I'm a dentist but I can try talking her through birth" :D


lol Spruce, I wonder how far this title thing can be taken? Emperor? King? Professor of Awesomeness?
 
Are you a surgeon? It's interesting some surgeons I know use Mr others Dr - the whole Mr thing of course sparking from "barber surgeons" back in england, its more of a historical thing than anything. I'm about to commence studying dental surgery, and to be honest will never put any details about my profession or Dr on the FF profile - "Sorry, I'm a dentist but I can try talking her through birth" :D

No not surgeon. Also not medical at all, that's why I clarified with PhD.

The Mr thing is important in medical but I don't know the proper reason behind it.
 
I've got a PhD and I use Dr when I travel (and on everything else)...if they want to treat me better because of it then I'm not complaining...but I'm no good in a medical emergency...
 
Perhaps, it's a passport thing.
Is not this sort of title and qualifacation recognised on passport info.

I know other formal titles are.
 
Perhaps, it's a passport thing.
Is not this sort of title and qualifacation recognised on passport info.

I know other formal titles are.

My FF account and all tickets etc have Dr on them. There is no title on any of my passports. I am usually called Dr PF by cabin crew.
Of course I'm not a real (phD) doctor but I am sometimes useful in a medical emergency ;)
 
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Indeed, PhD doctors have just as much right to be using the Dr title as MD doctors. The title is just as well earned and if there is confusion about being able to offer medical assistance, it's easily clarified.
 
Indeed, PhD doctors have just as much right to be using the Dr title as MD doctors. The title is just as well earned and if there is confusion about being able to offer medical assistance, it's easily clarified.

Any Doctors with their phd in metallurgy on board, we have a drinks cart that we can't get the door open on. :mrgreen::mrgreen:
 
Indeed, PhD doctors have just as much right to be using the Dr title as MD doctors. The title is just as well earned and if there is confusion about being able to offer medical assistance, it's easily clarified.

Indeed, much more right to be called Dr.

Who was it who dreamt up the idea that two bachelor degrees equalled a doctorate. ;):mrgreen:
 
Indeed, much more right to be called Dr.

Who was it who dreamt up the idea that two bachelor degrees equalled a doctorate. ;):mrgreen:
Of course why did they call a doctorate a doctorate?
the old chicken and the egg theory all over again!
 
It's a thing in any academic environment. I was with CSIRO and the system just expects the 'Dr' title, and people assume it's 'Dr', when addressing any research scientist. It was hard to avoid its use on QF because the direct Q2B travel contract link. I think many PhD's would also believe it gives greater cachet and op-up chance when the airline staff see 'Dr'.

While it's easily explained to panicking FA's, they should already be aware that just because it says 'Dr' X, it doesn't necessarily mean a medico. PhD's are (too?) common these days. They should make a PA call for a medico, not peruse the PAX manifest for 'Dr' titles. However, I'm sure the average male PhD is always ready to help out if the hyperventilating victim is a twenty-something female Swedish backpacker needing mouth-to-mouth :mrgreen: (and the gender reciprocal, of course).

I have a surgeon friend who has, because of being a specialist, reverted to the 'Mr' and therefore would never be approached to help in a medical situation. Go figure.
 
It's a thing in any academic environment. I was with CSIRO and the system just expects the 'Dr' title, and people assume it's 'Dr', when addressing any research scientist. It was hard to avoid its use on QF because the direct Q2B travel contract link. I think many PhD's would also believe it gives greater cachet and op-up chance when the airline staff see 'Dr'.

Umm perhaps I should accept various conference organisers and such calling me Dr as an honorary degree an update my profile accordingly. :idea:

As for too many PhDs. When business schools are handing out PhDs it kind of makes a joke of the whole doctor of philosophy thing.
 
Funny about the Mr thing , my wife the good Lady obstetrician only refers to me as Mr when she is not happy with me, I will always refer to my colleges in front of patients or operating theater as Dr or Mr or Prof I just wonder if the titles offer you better service I think not but I will be educated by you allI have however been tempted at the Peninsula Hong Kong when booking to put HRH or Lord, if you ever take a look at the drop down menu on the booking site the list of titles are amazing.
 
I just wonder if the titles offer you better service

Last time I boarded a QF international flight, I was welcomed aboard by name. I was also allocated a seat which according to seat guru etc are "reserved for high status FFs".... so maybe the title helps, who knows?
 
Tonight we went to the back of the Ralphs Supermarket where there is a pharmac_. We both got the Shingles Vax which has been in a non supply status in Australia for several years. The pharmacist gave us each the jabs so we did not call in the full medical regime in California. It was "call no doctor" but sign all sorts of releases from liability.Of course we qualified for Ralphs bonus points plus a bonus on a bonus.Call me doctor.....Not.Now it had never occurred to me that there was an 80% chance of a doctor being on board a good sized aircraft.....don't we all hope not to have to test that theory anytime soon!
 
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