why don't we called doctors ?

[Quickstart]

I must admit I refrained from voting because the options were rather biased in their delivery.

Why aren't we given the 'doctor' label? Because we aren't doctors -- in the academic or the professional sense. If I wanted to be a doctor, I would have studied medicine.

Putting the issue of a Phd aside, I realise there are a few professions in some countries that label themselves as doctors upon graduation. That said, how often are those professions the brunt of jokes because they "aren't real doctors"? I can surely do without the title if it maintains physiotherapy's medical standing.

[Helena Sp]

I would like to add sth..
I personally don't think that there is a matter of being or not called doctors because the proffesions are different with the only common base line that we treat patients..
we are therapists for specific conditions, unlike doctors which treat illnesses and health disorders of all kind..
And the same way we are not called mechanics just because we happen to "fix" the mechanisms of the human body and they fix machines.
Bottom line we should be proud for what we do and how the call us, we are physical therapists!!

[geet]

very well said Helen, I think this is a very logical and reasonable answer, is doctor a god and if not why we are starving to be called doctor .
i mean if i am geet why will i yell to be called helen I WONDER!!

[estherderu]

I would be interested to know from which countries the people that have reacted to this poll, come from.

As far as I know, nobody uses the title doctor in Europe.... we are physiotherapists. We have a Ba or Ma education, no more no less.
The moment we study on, writing a thesis, we can become a doctor of... whatever it is we have studied. In Holland chiropractors and osteopaths do NOT call themselves doctors, in other countries they do.

esther

[nan_cy8702]

physio's are physio's .....doctors are doctors...
i think we should be informing people who physio's are rather than waiting to be called doctors because people used to misunderstand the work of a physiotherapist...
they think physio are all about some massage and exercises....

[estherderu]

dear Nancy,

This is getting interesting.

I became a physiotherapist in Holland in 1977. Our profession was a pretty even mix of massage therapies, exercise therapies and therapy using electrical agents. I have always loved this mix, because it gives me the opportunity to chose, making lots of different "recipes" for every single person´s specific needs.

In these 32 years, emphasis on what is the most important part of our work has changed frequently. At this moment exercise therapy is pretty hot in Holland, massage is still hot in Germany and electrical agents is very hot in Spain.

But in these countries, doctors are the ones that studied medicine and we are physiotherapists (europe and anglosaxkson world) or physical therapists in the USA & Canada (as far as I am informed).

I am very proud of our profession. In general, doctors in Holland recognize our specific expertise and tell patients to go to us, because we are the "specialist of the moving parts" = Dutch expression.

Esther

[nan_cy8702]

mmm.....good to hear that the doctors there recommend physio's...bt its really a different scenario here...
doctors are the ones who will prescribe patient to physiotherapists.....and they will even write there what to do (for exp: give passive ex or hot pack etc)
people here don't know much about physiotherapists....whenever we say we wanted to study physio they will ask what is that??
hope people here will be more aware of physiotherapist in future....

[estherderu]

The scenerio you sketch is similar to the one in Holland in the 1960-70´s.
Australia was way ahead with free access long ago ( 70´s?)
Holland introduced free access in 2004.
Free access meaning that you are free to go to any physiotherapist without a doctors referral and with payment (by the national health systems or private insurances) guaranteed.

What made it change in Holland?
....in my opinion the following things happened (but not overnight)....

1. the fact that in general the population was becoming more informed ( even before internet, by means of patient groups and television programmes)
2. doctors slowly became informed about what we do...
how?
a. by getting back to them straight away and informing them that you, after assessing, do not agree with their treatment suggestions and are planning something else. Explain why and in my case, they always agreed...... often saying... we do not know much about your profession.......
b. by being prepared to "fight with your knowledge" by writing letters about your treatment, describing it, describing results etc etc
c. informing your patients, with fact sheets, writing for journals for the general public etc
3. by generally not accepting the "assistants rol" the doctor has put you in, but showing you are a true health professional with your own education and qualities.

good luck

esther de ru

[Kristiano]

hmmm... there's two expats here, and every time they greet the patients, "Hello, I'm Dr. ...." (and we're the same level)

[PTRussell]

hmmm... there's two expats here, and every time they greet the patients, "Hello, I'm Dr. ...." (and we're the same level)

Do they have real medical degrees (MBBS or MD)? Are they dentists or vets? Do they have PhDs? If not tell them to stop deceiving their patients!

Even if they have any of the above, they shouldn't call themselves Dr's if they are practicing as physios!

Oh, are they chiropractors? If so, what are they doing in a clinic that is based on medical science, not chiropractic-pseudo-science

[Kristiano]

Do they have real medical degrees (MBBS or MD)? Are they dentists or vets? Do they have PhDs? If not tell them to stop deceiving their patients!

Even if they have any of the above, they shouldn't call themselves Dr's if they are practicing as physios!

Oh, are they chiropractors? If so, what are they doing in a clinic that is based on medical science, not chiropractic-pseudo-science

Bro, they're a graduate of BSPT... the other one didnt finish yet his masters... They called themselves Dr.s bec in their Visa they're classified as Doctors... And we can't tell them to stop bec they're dominant... they look to us like an assistant....

[PTRussell]

Kristiano
How farcical! A Physio with a masters is still a Physio. They are not entitled to call themselves a Dr! If they were in Australia and did that they would be hauled before the Physio Board before they could shake their patient's hand for mis-representation. My condolences that you work in such a crappy environment.

[Kristiano]

Kristiano
How farcical! A Physio with a masters is still a Physio. They are not entitled to call themselves a Dr! If they were in Australia and did that they would be hauled before the Physio Board before they could shake their patient's hand for mis-representation. My condolences that you work in such a crappy environment.

Thanks for the concern bro... a little discrimination here... even local PT who works here called himself a DR... but what we can do, it's their ....
I remember when I first landed in this country, a little argument with immigration officer,> "Are you a Doctor?" and I said " Physical Therapist".. the officer again said, "Doctor".. but I insist i'm a PT...

[yelufem]

Your experience about your people's knowledge of physio is not unusual.Even in the very developed society people still need to be educated on what physio is all about.They tend to believe that we are all doctors or nurses.
Be ready to change the status quo.Always insist that doctors refer patient appropriately not verbally.and discourage referrals that dictate to u what to do.Patients must be informed that physio is not extension of Drs prescription but experts/clinician that are required to fix their problems.
Your physio body must not relent in educating the masses about physio and what it can offer.Be ready to pay the prize for the next generation of physios.
By the way,i guess u posted from Pakistan.am i right? Yelufem.

[DrACL02]

Physiotherapists are not doctors

[PTRussell]

What rubbish! If you want the same shonky reputation as chiros, then push to be called a doctor.

Physios have a good and recognized reputation with the legitimate medical fraternity (medical doctors). Calling ourselves Dr's would likely alienate ourselves.

Unlike thelose charlatan chiros, we are well respected when we work in hospitals. The only way (in Australia at least) a Dr Chiro can get visiting rights is if they are seeing a friend or family member - seeking clinical privileges would be laughable.

As others have pointed out, you want to be called a Dr? Do a PhD!! It's 3+ years of hard work (on top of the 4 you did as an undergrad). Heck, you don't even have to do it in Physio! Go waste your yime with a PhD in arts to allow youself to become a "doctor". BUT in my opinion, you STILL shouldn't call yourself a Dr. I feel I have the right to say this as I am a Physio and have a PhD in physio. I never use the title. It is misleading when I work with real medical Dr's. I do not tell other staff or patients I have a PhD. In fact, a number of years ago, the Physio Registration Board rightly sent a member advising physios who work in hospitals NOT to use the title to avoid confusion. I feel it it acceptable to use the title if you work in an academic setting, where the title has meaning. Anywhere else (including on your credit card or when booking airline tickets, for a Physio - or anyone else with a PhD for that matter - surely it's a matter of ego to use the title?).

Be happy that you're a Physio - for some reason, a lot of people want to be one and many can't. Patients and medical doctors both acknowledge our legitimacy in the medical profession without us having to claim the title of doctor.