Unqualified Doc
Discussion
Rockets7 said:
Boosted LS1 said:
That's interesting. I once knew a person who put himself down as a Dr on his DL but only until he changed address. Then he went back to being Mr. I wonder if that was illegal?
Maybe they became a consultant ..... this changes Dr back to Mr...Badda said:
Ouroboros said:
Rockets7 said:
Maybe they became a consultant ..... this changes Dr back to Mr...
Still a Dr though.Surgeons are known as Mr/Mrs/Ms, it is a honour over being addressed as a Dr. They are still Drs
Dentists are doctors.
ruggedscotty said:
The General Dental Council (GDC) has said on the issue: ‘The GDC does not prohibit the use of the title ‘Doctor’ as a courtesy title in the case of dentists. Dentists who choose to use the title must ensure that it is not used in a way which could mislead the public, for example by giving the impression that the dentist is a registered medical practitioner if they are not.’
my dentist has Dr on their coat.I believe the law forbids the unqualified use of Dr. on official documentation. So the guy who used it on his Driving License would have faced penalty if ever it was called in.
The Advertising Standards Authority have very clear guidelines on when it can and can't be used. It's most commonly abused in the field of alternative and non-standard medicine. For example, a practitioner in Chinese medicine may have qualifications from Chinese institutions which would afford him Dr status there but not here unless he is registered with the General Medical Council in the UK and hold a general medical qualification from a recognised institution.
The suffix M.D. is often used to differentiate a medical doctor from one who has a Doctorate (who would suffix with PhD).
There's nothing stopping you using Dr informally or in any obviously non-medical way (I'm sure I've seen a sign somewhere for Dr Clutch!)
The Advertising Standards Authority have very clear guidelines on when it can and can't be used. It's most commonly abused in the field of alternative and non-standard medicine. For example, a practitioner in Chinese medicine may have qualifications from Chinese institutions which would afford him Dr status there but not here unless he is registered with the General Medical Council in the UK and hold a general medical qualification from a recognised institution.
The suffix M.D. is often used to differentiate a medical doctor from one who has a Doctorate (who would suffix with PhD).
There's nothing stopping you using Dr informally or in any obviously non-medical way (I'm sure I've seen a sign somewhere for Dr Clutch!)
Can be complicated and confusing. Covered by ss. 49 and 49A of the Medical Act
This covers Registered Medical Practitioners - what most people are referring to as a medical doctor
Doctor is a courtesy title for medics when they get their Bachelors degree (MBChB or BMBS or suchlike) required to qualify then they do preregistration training before becoming a RMP.
There are quite a few people in the NHS who are PhD doctors - notably psychologists and sometimes nurses. This can be somewhat confusing for patients but these people only commit an offence if they pretended to be a RMP.
MD is the equivalent of PhD (doctors can do a PhDs too) depending on circumstances but only undertaken by a minority of UK doctors as it is a serious undertaking to do whilst training. MD is US the counterpart of our bachelors degree where medicine is a post graduate course.
Specialists are required to do further exams and training for become members or fellows of the relevant Royal College (Physicians surgeons, psychiatrists etc) and then, following higher training, go on to achieve a certificate of specialist training. Overseas doctors become specialists by demonstrating equivalence.
The Royal College membership is when surgeons and gynaecologists can revert to Mr or Miss. Historically physicians looked down on surgeons and didn't regard them as doctors so it's a nod to this ancient snobbery.
You can check whether someone is on the medical register and their specialist qualifications at the GMC
This covers Registered Medical Practitioners - what most people are referring to as a medical doctor
Doctor is a courtesy title for medics when they get their Bachelors degree (MBChB or BMBS or suchlike) required to qualify then they do preregistration training before becoming a RMP.
There are quite a few people in the NHS who are PhD doctors - notably psychologists and sometimes nurses. This can be somewhat confusing for patients but these people only commit an offence if they pretended to be a RMP.
MD is the equivalent of PhD (doctors can do a PhDs too) depending on circumstances but only undertaken by a minority of UK doctors as it is a serious undertaking to do whilst training. MD is US the counterpart of our bachelors degree where medicine is a post graduate course.
Specialists are required to do further exams and training for become members or fellows of the relevant Royal College (Physicians surgeons, psychiatrists etc) and then, following higher training, go on to achieve a certificate of specialist training. Overseas doctors become specialists by demonstrating equivalence.
The Royal College membership is when surgeons and gynaecologists can revert to Mr or Miss. Historically physicians looked down on surgeons and didn't regard them as doctors so it's a nod to this ancient snobbery.
You can check whether someone is on the medical register and their specialist qualifications at the GMC
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