What to Do When Patients Drop Your Doctor Title
Summary: Discusses common issue of patients addressing physicians (particularly women) by first name, reflecting implicit bias and undermining authority. Impacts rapport, respect; strategies: polite correction (“Please call me Dr.”), model from staff, ally support. Highlights gender disparity in medicine.
Key Highlights:
- Issue: First-name address erodes professionalism.
- Disparity: More frequent for women physicians.
- Strategies: Gentle correction, staff modeling.
- Impact: Strains patient-physician relationship.
Keywords: doctor title, gender bias, patient communication