Dr. Or Mr.?

[quinie]

My friend in Canada wants to know why I referred to a doctor as Mr ....Is it because specialists in this country (at least in Scotland, don't know about England) are called Mr instead of Dr? Where she lives they're all called Dr. She then asked what women specialists are called??Can anyone shed any light on the subject,please?

[jeffa]

I always thought you referred to a doctor as "Mr" if they become a surgeon.

[Sqad]

From an answer i gave to a previous thread a couple of days ago:

Bazile........many , many theories BUT:

Back in the 18th century, if you took a University examination then you called be called a professional and all the "others" formed into a Guild.

Now surgeons didn't take an examination, they sort of " apprenticed " themselves to a surgeon and when he thought that they were "ready" they were appointed surgeons to the hospital.

However our surgeons had to be put into some "pigeon hole" so they were joined with the Barber's guild and it was known as the |Barber's and Surgeons Guild.

BUT when the Royal college of surgeons was formed, admission was by examination which made them "proper doctors" but the surgeons decided that they were better than "proper doctors and decided to remain Mrs'.

[sunny-dave]

OK Mrs Sqad :)

[Sqad]

LOL "Sticks and stones....."

[quinie]

Thank you all for answering. By the way,Sqad.what title do lady surgeons get?Don't think there are any in my area.You are always so helpful,Sqad,thanks again.I nearly put Squad there-taught in school-q is always followed by u lol

[quinie]

Just noticed related questions deal with this.

[Sqad]

In England and Northern Ireland female surgeons have the choice of calling themselves Mrs or Dr and they usually choose the former.
In other parts of the UK and the rest of the world, female surgeons are called Dr's.

[Eve]

Is it the same with some consultants? That when they reach a certain level that they are referred to as Mrs/Mrs rather than doctor.

I remember someone telling me this (maybe wrongly?) though my only female consultant always seems to be referred to as Dr, as are some of my male consultants, or do they get to choose?

I imagine if you've done all the hard work to become a Dr you could want to keep the title visible.

[Sqad]

\\\\I imagine if you've done all the hard work to become a Dr you could want to keep the title visible.\\\

Not so with me, or most of my surgical colleagues........to maintain the customs of the Royal College of Surgeons is paramount........a title of honour.....something to be proud of.

[woofgang]

Non surgical Consultants are usually called "Dr"
Sqad, I am assuming that female surgeons can also elect to be called "Miss" or "Ms" as well (waits for fireworks over Ibiza)

[Sqad]

woofy...that's almost exactly what i said in my post above 17.32.

[Eve]

I can see that for surgeons, I was wondering about non-surgical consultants. I try to see if they have something up somewhere like a clinic board to check if they go by Dr or Mr but always use Dr if I'm not sure.

[pastafreak]

Early barbers usually did bloodletting or other jobs that were considered below physicians. Hence the first surgeons- who did not need qualifications- were lumped together in the same guild. Both were referred to as Mr.
Until 1800,surgeons were rather lowly beings.

[stuey]

Obs/Gyn and Urology types could also be classed as "lowly beings":)

[quinie]

Oh,stuey,that was below the belt!

[woofgang]

I know Sqad but you missed off "Miss" and "Ms" :)

[rowanwitch]

Not just consultants... surgeons at registrar level are also
Mr/Mrs/Miss or I don't care how many exams you've passed get away from that box of quality street (thus speaketh the ex nurse)

[stuey]

Slightly off topic: could a Pathologist be classed as a Surgeon because he or she dose operate in a way?

[Sqad]

stuey

\\\Slightly off topic: could a Pathologist be classed as a Surgeon because he or she dose operate in a way?\\\

Only on TV."Body of Proof".........;-)

You have to be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons before calling yourself....Mr. Pathologists don't have that.

[stuey]

Sqad, the Pathologist to whom I referred in a previous post was a member of the FRCPS.