Episode 17: Mike’s Hot Takes: Should Physical Therapists Be Called Doctors?
For today’s episode, Mike Quintans sits down with his producer, Shelly, to debate whether or not physical therapists should be addressed as doctors (e.g. Mike or Dr. Mike).
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0:56 - Mike starts the conversation with a story from his first job as a PT where another PT, fresh out of school, refers to himself as Dr. Tommy to his patient.
2:00 - Mike discusses how there is a difference between being a PT and a physician; physicians can order medication and imaging, but PTs cannot. Mike has heard some people say that is confusing to the patient when PT’s refer to themselves as doctors.
3:22 - PTs are experts in movement, so does that mean they should be called doctors? Some say yes, some say no.
4:44 - White coat ceremonies - should PTs have these also?
5:12 - Fun fact: PTs in the military can order imaging.
5:50 - Shelly discusses how the role of trust with the patient factors into the equation.
6:55 - Mike talks about how the physician will react to PTs calling themselves doctor. He is worried about his relationship with physicians and being respectful to them.
8:14 - Mike says forget the titles; in the end, it is about working with physicians to come up with the best treatment for their patients. In order to facilitate that relationship, he believes it is important to respect the physician’s title.
10:08 - It is a term of respect. Shelly brings up how patients can get confused and referred to anyone in the medical profession as doctor to show respect.
10:51 - Physical therapists have earned the right to call themselves doctors. With that being said, physical therapists need to be aware of how their relationships are built.
11:44 - Mike considers the other side - he can be his own advocate and can see a patient off the street; he doesn’t need a physician recommendation to do so.
12:07 - Mike finishes by saying that at the end of the day, PTs just need to be clear about what they can do and what their limitations are.
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