Is it fitting to call yourself "doctor" if you're a Ph.D. in public?

I worked in a hospital before (in the admin) and there were Ph.D members of the business group and they were also called doctors. I was even confused at a time that he was being called a doctor but he is not a medical doctor. Many 'real' doctors in the hospital somehow is feeling adamant to it, you would see eyebrows raised and faces confused as to why they would want themselves called doctors if they weren't even treating anyone. I think it offends the real medical doctors to an extent.

They earned the degree, they should use it. Usually, people call Ph.D. degree holders as "Doctor". It''s hardly misleading since they earned the degree even if it's not a M.D. After all,the title can be a good way to explain to people that not all doctorate degree are related to medicine. Usually, when others are asking, holders will complete the title Ph.D or Ph.D. in the course they taken to ease the confusion. Knew two women who are both doctor - PH.D.aand M.D. and they call each other - 'doktora'.

'Doctor' is the proper form of address when introducing someone who holds a PhD (as a speaker, for example) within the academic community or when it is quite clear that he is a Doctor of Philosophy and not a medical Doctor. It is usually unnecessary and undesirable to address someone who has a PhD, or to refer to them, as 'Doctor' in the course of general conversation. Most PhDs prefer to be addressed as 'Mr/Ms/Miss/Mrs' and would only include their qualifications in the name under a signature to a letter or other places where the qualification is relevant. The correct full style would be: Written (in a letterhead or, possibly, as the adressee of a letter): "John Williams, PhD" Personal Signature: "John Williams" or "J. Williams" When spoken to formally in public: "Mr Williams" (and "sir" subsequently) When referred to or introduced to a non-academic audience (depending on the level of formality): "Mr [John] Williams", "John Williams" or even "John" In an article quoting or referring to him as an author, when it is clear that the subject is not medical: Initially as "John Williams, PhD" OR "Dr. John Williams" (never "Dr. John Williams, PhD"!) and subsequently as "Williams" or "Dr. Williams". Any holder of a PhD who styles himself and insists that he be addressed as "Doctor" at all times is usually considered to be something of a pompous a$$ and not really deserving of the qualification!

"Doctor" is an academic term. It is to teach. It's not misleading. It's just that a medical doctor's doctorate is in medical field, whereas another doctor's might be in a social or another scientific field. Because we assume "doctor" means an M.D. is our issue, not a doctor's.

I guess it isn't misleading to say you're a Ph.D. as long as you add which field you excel in. For example, doctor of philosophy in electronic arts.

It is more appropriate to call yourself doctor when you have a Ph.D. than when you are a physician because the origin of the term had nothing to do with being a physician. A doctor was an authority like St. John Chrysostom was inside the church.

I would use my name to avoid any confusion. If I need to make things clear later on I will explain that I have Ph.D. I wouldn't want to look like I brag or something