Do you think that education...

Yes, anyone that holds a Ph.D which is a doctorate degree will be referred to as Doctor _____ when they are introduced. People can hold an advanced doctor degree in various fields it does not have to just be education. There are Doctor degree in the sciences like Physics and so forth.

Sometimes,it is funny.My mother got her doctoral degree and everybody assumes that she;s a medical doctor. At first,people ask about some medical conditions but she clarified that she was a PH.D holder (doctor of philosophy) rather than an M.D. (medical doctor). I guess it is quite confusing at first but people do realize that there are post graduate courses.

No harm done. Just a misunderstanding I'm sure. By the way, if he was a medical doctor, he may insist on getting a better diagnosis through a checkup. It is quite possibly an uncomfortable position for a medical doctor to be asked his opinion on medical issues outside of his business hours. Just think about it. When you do meet a medical doctor and make his acquaintance, be careful of this. The doctor in education should be fine with your apology. After all, it would prove to be an educated response.

When I hear "Dr." Such-and-such, I assume that is the person's title--not that the individual is a medical doctor. I've known quite a few people who hold doctorate degrees. Even if someone is a medical doctor, you shouldn't be asking them about your medical concerns in a social setting. That is her/his profession--what they get paid for during their work hours. Their social time should be their own--not monopolized by people who are looking for free medical advice.

My dad is also a doctor, but not a medical doctor. He took a doctoral degree in Marine Biology, so he is address as either a "DR" before his name or a "Ph.D. (Doctor in Philosophy)" at the end of his full name. Ironically, his first name is the spanish term for patient. And so my friends would fondly call him as "Doctor Patient".

Haha, I don't think it's embarrassing , I think it's a little funny. "Doctor" has two meanings, it's not your fault, it's just coincidence. Have a good time!

Those people who further their studies until doctorate level have the honor of adding that illustrious title 'Dr' in front of their names. That could place them on par with the real medical doctors as everyone will then address them as. Doctor. Yes that's really confusing if you are being introduced for the first time to a learned person with a Dr in his name.

that's why when i am introduced to a doctor - i normally ask back - "Doctor, MD? or Doctor, PhD?"...

Honestly, I don't think that education is confusing in that way. I hear doctor and I will think medical doctor at first, but I never assume that a person is a medical doctor until I've had the opportunity to talk to the person because there are many different kinds of doctors. There are medical doctors, veternarians, doctors of dentistry and individuals that hold doctorate degrees. Now before I was in college, I really didn't think about people that held doctorate degrees, but most of my professors in college did hold their doctorate so I do think of that kind of doctor more.

Was just thinking shavkat that south american people sometimes call teachers and lawyers "Doctors" as well although in this country we do not use this term for anything else than medical terms. For example a Lawyer here is a lawyer right but for the South Americans here they still call them "Letrados" again sort of like "Doctor" well you get a Doctorate in this that and the other don´t you so that is where the confusion can start I suppose.

Hiya shavkat, Never mind we can all make mistakes like that and I am sure he understood too. I have misunderstood things like that too before and did not feel bad about it either just a bit silly for a few moments then I laughed it off.xxx

It's okay because it's really confusing. The title was real confusing and i also question that why thus they call him or her doctor if she or he not a doctor or physician...hmmmmm

That's funny, instead of feeling embarrassment you should smile, all of us know the word can easily cause a misunderstand.

LOL. so embarrassing but it is ok. For me, I am not confused since I am in education too. So I know if the Doc is a doc by profession or a doc is a doc by profession. oh no.. no.. no.. Here it is, the doctors wear white Lab gowns. and the doc by doctorate wears tie and coat? I think I confused you more. I am just kidding. Yes, because finishing Ph.D (Doctorate) takes time also. You can't take Ph.D. if you have not finished the Master's Degree. and Ph.D. studies are not easy too. Such a great hard work. In short, finishing Ph.D. in a sense is like finishing Medicine, in terms of duration and difficulty. Although here, no lives are at stake. and the only qualifying exams in the end of the course is Comprehensive Exams not board.

I would have thought exactly the same as you, if anyone says they are a doctor I naturally assume they are a doctor of medicine, and wouldn't think that they were doctor of anything else! I never went to University and don't have any letters after my name, so it all goes over my head. I also think letters after a persons name can be confusing too!

I suppose you can get a doctorate in just about any category. I have a friend who has a doctorate in accounting. He got his doctorate before he got his CPA.

Hubby- Bhuwan, Professor2010 here has PhD in Ultrasonics, so he adds Dr before name and PhD in our name plate and his cards, some times people come to him for medical consultation!!!!!!

When we hear/see the title Dr. we just assume that they are a medical Dr. However, there are many different kinds of Dr.s as you found out. No need to be embarrassed, I think we've all experienced that kind of confusion at one time or another.

Yes, you are right. I was so confused also before it was not yet been discussed to us by our professor in college. One moment, he said he was a doctor and so we were very surprised that our mentor/teacher is a doctor. The first thing that came to our mind was, he was a life saver and very good in medical fields and he is also teaching an English subject. And then suddenly, he guested what's on our mind and explained well with us that Yes, he is a doctor but a doctor in education and not in medical fields.That's the only time that I knew what's the difference of it.

Sometimes i just wanna asked the DOCOTOR working in the position used the same word as one who got the highest degree. In the past, if you want to be a doctor in the hospital, whether you need to hold the highest degree? But now, someone graduated from the medical college with a master degree can slso be a docotor. Maybe i guess, the doctor is a hard job and need to take greater responsibilities, who works on the HUMAN BODY, so he must get the best qualification. The above is just speculation, have you guys studied about this word before? If you knew the reason, please share with me. Much Thanks!!