why don't we called doctors ?

[gcoe]

Personally I don't like the term and would prefer it not to be used by physios. If/when I get my PhD I doubt I will want to be called "Dr" as I don't like status markers. However I wish medical practitioners should drop it as well - but teat won't be happening in the near future either.

Regardless of what I or any of us would like it will be used by physios who have completed doctorates in physiotherapy. It will be used by them as a marketing ploy to differentiate a superior level of training (whether or not that superiority is warranted) and likewise employers may seek doctorate employees in preference to others, especially for leadership positions.

So what I wonder is how as a profession we should handle this. We have been through this before. When I graduated I got a diploma but Australia, our large cousin country was all graduating B. Phty level degrees.

[apocalypse]

I just want to reiterate my point.

Dr is not a profession but a degree title.
When a student qualifies from medicine, they have three degrees.
They then study, in the main, medicine or surgery, whereby the become a Medic/Physician or Surgeon (obviously other titles such as GP, Psychiatrist exist)

I studied physio, if I earn a PhD, I'll be Dr..... but still a physio.

I become a physician, I'll have lots of degree, I'll be Dr... but still a physician.

So, its a moot point of what we should call ourselves. Our occupation and academic qualifications are two very different things. Public perception is something else though and I want to go to the best of whatever profession it is. I'd rather go to a physio with a doctorate in the area I have a problem with. As much as I would go to a ortho surgeon with a fracture versus a vascular surgeon...silly point I know.

[gcoe]

I agree, Apocalypse

It would be good if it was limited to academic qualification

One point though: the DPT and other equivalent doctorates are not specialist qualifications. They are generally generalist qualifications. In fact the physiotherapy component is actually not alot more in depth training than many baccalaureate 4 year trainings. Students only commit to three years of education at that level. The only difference is that you have usually completed an undergraduate four year degree in some related science. So a DPT is not really a guarantee of higher quality, particularly with some of the more shonky educational institutions getting in on the act in the US (along side reputable faculties). And it certainly isn't and indicator of specialisation./