Using Professional Titles

[Miaow]

Hi all! Hope this post finds my fellow PA's happy and healthy. Just to review (as it has been awhile since I last posted), I am a PA in OB/GYN and have been in practice for almost 16 years. I am a PA educator, in full-time practice, in the PA doctoral program and I write PANCE questions for the NCCPA (in case anyone cares to know!). Recently I have been considering how as PA's (and NP's I suppose too) we are always addressed by our first names (ex. "Would you like to see Doctor so-and so or Laura the PA?"). I tend to think that we almost unnecessarily (inadvertently?) demote ourselves in status when we allow ourselves to be addressed by our first names by everyone we encounter. SURE, there are people who we know and are friendly with who are going to call us by our first names and that's a right that a person earns (i.e. I call all the doctors in my clinic by their first names because we are friends and colleagues). My point here isn't to whip people into a frenzy over why it is silly vs. not silly to simply go first name only - my question is this: As PA's should we seek to standardize what we are addressed as by other healthcare professionals? Instead of first name only would it be more professional to be addressed as PA Smith (or whatever) by phone staff, nursing staff, medical staff, etc. to patients and other professionals? Let me hear your opinions, good, bad, indifferent - I want to know how you feel! 

Thanks, 

Laura 

[thinkertdm]

I use Mr Smith, Ms Jones when I refer to either pas or nps.  For those np's who want to be called "Dr", they get a smirk and "Mr/Ms".

I find PA Thinkertdm to be awkward.

[Miaow]

I find the whole "Doctor" thing with a doctorate to be exceptionally disingenuous and unnecessarily confusing in clinical practice. I do NOT plan on ever adopting that title unless I go to medical school. I do, however, find that it isn't too far fetched to be addressed as PA Whatever as it is the title that we have earned. Just food for thought. I always appreciate your contributions! 

[ventana]

I agree

 

first names = not overly professional

 

I introduce myself as PA SoandSo

 

I am fine with first names for doc's in my local system - but when calling out of the system I ALWAYS say PA SoandSo calling as Patients XYZ PCP.....

 

I think more and more use of PA (and NP) in the everyday professional medical setting helps.....

[thinkertdm]

Absolutely, it's just awkward.   My last name is polish and not easily pronounced.  I really hate it when I get called doctor, but many will call me "doc", the military slang for any medical provider.

I sometimes use "PA Extraordinaire Thinkertdm", just rolls off the tongue 

[Joelseff]

I use PA joelseff's last name. But mostly get called "Doctor Joel" or just "Doc" but I joke around and say "since Doctors are called doctors because they have doctorates, you can call me according to my degree.... I have a Masters..." Lol

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[ohiovolffemtp]

I introduce myself as first name last name, the PA who will be taking care of you.  Sometimes I just do first name last name, "the night guy" because I'm a nocturnist.  "PA xxx" seems awkward, and 1st & last names to me adds the right level of professionalism.

[jmj11]

Both my SP and I go by first names with establish patients. While we may be called "Dr." or "PA" by a new patient, as soon as they ask, "how should I address you" we both say, "Jim" or "Mike." We also, of course use our first names with each other. We also, often, list our credentials and experience verbally on the first visit, not to brag, but to let the patient know about our long history of work experience and certifications, to build professional trust.

[rev ronin]

I use firstname when introducing myself in person, PA lastname when calling either a patient or specialist.

(If I really wanted to confuse people, of course, I could use one of my fire officer or clergy titles, to which I am legitimately entitled, but patients seem confused enough....)

[UpperLeftPAC]

36 minutes ago, Joelseff said:

I use PA joelseff's last name. But mostly get called "Doctor Joel" or just "Doc" but I joke around and say "since Doctors are called doctors because they have doctorates, you can call me according to my degree.... I have a Masters..." Lol

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Master lastname does have a nice ring to it.... 

[UpperLeftPAC]

I also introduce myself with first and last name in the beginning but typically patients call me by my first name if they are with it enough to remember it. Both my names are a little unusual and most people can't quite sort out what my first name is, let alone my last... PA lastname is probably what sounds most professional but it's definitely not convenient. I don't know what the solution is.

I also consider that many of the patients I know who "love their PA" and "won't see anyone but a PA" are people who like that they feel more heard, more related to, and like we are more accessible than doctors. I think some part of that may be that we are frequently less formal in our address. 

[ohiovolffemtp]

15 minutes ago, rev ronin said:

I use firstname when introducing myself in person, PA lastname when calling either a patient or specialist.

(If I really wanted to confuse people, of course, I could use one of my fire officer or clergy titles, to which I am legitimately entitled, but patients seem confused enough....)

Gee, I can see it now: "I'm the Right Reverend Captain Ronin" and wear your collar brass on your stole - perfect!

[rev ronin]

4 minutes ago, ohiovolffemtp said:

Gee, I can see it now: "I'm the Right Reverend Captain Ronin" and wear your collar brass on your stole - perfect!

That would be PA right reverend chief EMSO Ronin, thankyouverymuch,

[lemurcatta]

I have always liked first names personally. It might be because of where I was raised (Los Angeles). I've heard many physicians in Southern California introduce themselves by "first name, last name" to me or their patients. Where I went to undergrad (UCLA), many professors preferred their first name, even full tenured professors who were well known in their field. So my own bias is to not see use of first names as a sign of inappropriate familiarity or lack of respect, but just sort of a human thing to do (obviously not when meeting someone for the first time or sending correspondence). But I am also enjoying reading the other perspectives here. 

[sas5814]

In its most basic sense I don't care what anyone calls me. However perceptions matter and if the physicians are always Dr SoandSo to the patients but we are always first name last name what does the patient intuit? I think it subtly implies we are less.

I have been working on getting the nurses to refer to us by PA LastName when they are talking to patients. I have also been trying to get my organization to un-lump us and refer to us as PAs and NPs but so far it has been a Sisyphean task.

[Cideous]

I introduce myself as, "your provider, (first name then last name).  I never say Physician Assistant.

[rev ronin]

46 minutes ago, Cideous said:

I introduce myself as, "your provider, (first name then last name).  I never say Physician Assistant.

PA-C is written on the placard beside the door and embroidered on my scrub top just so I never actually have to say it unless I think it is necessary for some reason.

[EMEDPA]

I have the -C, but don't put it on anything except my CV. You don't see docs with MD-C or MD-usmle.

My lab coats and ID say PA, DHSc

[Reality Check 2]

At the VA, many of my patients call me Doc, so do the staff. A military thing. 

I always introduce myself first and last name and that I am a PA. Then we go from there.

Coming from a military brat background and a Southern child - I address my patients as Mr or Ms Soandso. Then I ask the patient what they like to be called because the name on the chart is a legal name. They might like Chip or Digger or something. I have several that really want you to call them their comfortable name.

We find a common ground. 

My younger vets often call me PA Last Name - something they did in the service, I guess.

No white coats, no pretenses. I don't really need a title - we talk, we go over medical issues, we talk about common issues - kids, dogs, etc. As long as we establish the rapport needed for a good relationship - You can call me Mrs or PA or my first name - what works is best. 

I have found that my physician colleagues and even my RN colleagues will speak of me to a patient as Ms Soandso or PA Soandso. 

Not sure I ever want to get caught up on a title. My reputation and skills stand for themselves.

Besides I can come home and get a wailing "sheesh Mom" complete with eyeroll to complete any day. 

 

[ventana]

20 hours ago, ohiovolffemtp said:

I introduce myself as first name last name, the PA who will be taking care of you.  Sometimes I just do first name last name, "the night guy" because I'm a nocturnist.  "PA xxx" seems awkward, and 1st & last names to me adds the right level of professionalism.

I too had some strange feelings about saying PA SoandSo, till I started doing it.... and you know what, now it is natural.  People know I am a PA and established patients call me by first name

9 hours ago, sas5814 said:

In its most basic sense I don't care what anyone calls me. However perceptions matter and if the physicians are always Dr SoandSo to the patients but we are always first name last name what does the patient intuit? I think it subtly implies we are less.

I have been working on getting the nurses to refer to us by PA LastName when they are talking to patients. I have also been trying to get my organization to un-lump us and refer to us as PAs and NPs but so far it has been a Sisyphean task.

This post is the PERFECT sumation of why we all need to insist on PA at least some time in the day.

8 hours ago, Cideous said:

I introduce myself as, "your provider, (first name then last name).  I never say Physician Assistant.

I NEVER NEVER NEVER say the dreaded Ass______ word - nope, never, not going to happen - for people asking I will explain out schools as medical training, and even might compare to an NP if that helps, but never the Ass_______ word....

7 hours ago, EMEDPA said:

I have the -C, but don't put it on anything except my CV. You don't see docs with MD-C or MD-usmle.

My lab coats and ID say PA, DHSc

Used to have more weight when some states you didn't need to pass NCCPA - but is there any of those left?

i agreee on the whole -C being redundant, and when people ask I end up having to explain it.... PIA.....

[CAAdmission]

On 2/18/2019 at 10:36 PM, rev ronin said:

That would be PA right reverend chief EMSO Ronin, thankyouverymuch,

Oh no, you're one of those "white helmet" guys? Does it hurt when they evacuate your cranium? 

[rev ronin]

2 hours ago, CJAdmission said:

Oh no, you're one of those "white helmet" guys? Does it hurt when they evacuate your cranium? 

Naah, the policy manuals they instill do a pretty good job of mass/volume replacement.

[CAAdmission]

6 hours ago, rev ronin said:

Naah, the policy manuals they instill do a pretty good job of mass/volume replacement.

Ah, the Incident Command System no doubt...

[ohiovolffemtp]

There are NIMS courses for that.

[SedRate]

PA Lastname gets a lot of weird looks and, "Huh?" so I stick with my first name, wear my badge, and give them my card. First name, last name and title gets a little verbose with those drugged up post-op patients, so simple has worked best. 

I do like the Master title though; I will try that next.

On 2/18/2019 at 7:46 PM, Joelseff said:

I use PA joelseff's last name. But mostly get called "Doctor Joel" or just "Doc" but I joke around and say "since Doctors are called doctors because they have doctorates, you can call me according to my degree.... I have a Masters..." Lol

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