why don't we called doctors ?

[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.