Who is a Doctor and who can hold the Title Dr.?

This is a reproduction from New York Times

Being myself a Medical Person D.P.T.O (Do not Practice and Teach Only) who can use this two letters and the dot for many reasons, avoid using it, doctor part in my life for the last 10 years and it has made my life very easy and simple.

In fact on of my neighbors asked me are you really a doctor to which I smiled and did not give an answer, making him more confused.

Most of the guys/girls who know me come for second opinion, I am more than willing to oblige .

But free of charge and they do get better with simple remedies.

I have few emergency tablets in my purse always for such and eventuality, just in case.

I totally agree with this gentleman and I am more than grateful to him for bringing to notice what ever the PhD one holds if it is not relevant to the (if it is not germane to the holder’s primary current occupation) post currently holding it should not be used as a label of distinction.

After all the PhD may be 30 years old and disproved by at least three times  over that period of time  if it was a good one to tag one's own thesis.

I am in fact currently finishing a book (which actually was a 10 year research work ) and I have decided  not to put that for PhD referral or title and would share it with the general public.

If somebody gives a PhD posthumously for this creative work , the funeral director can put a single copy in my coffin before cremation so that it goes to heaven or hell with me.

Who’s a Dr.?

Our continued use of courtesy titles — increasingly rare in the news media — prompts many questions. Rules on the use of “Dr.” in particular can lead to confusion, for readers and unfortunately sometimes for our writers. Here’s our style book entry:

  
Dr. should be used in all references for physicians and dentists whose practice is their primary current occupation, or who work in a closely related field, like medical writing, research or pharmaceutical manufacturing: Dr. Alex E. Baranek; Dr. Baranek; the doctor. (Those who practice only incidentally, or not at all, should be called Mr., Ms., Miss or Mrs.)

Anyone else with an earned doctorate, like a Ph.D. degree, may request the title, but only if it is germane to the holder’s primary current occupation (academic, for example, or laboratory research).

For a Ph.D., the title should appear only in second and later references. The holder of a Ph.D. or equivalent degree may also choose not to use the title.

Do not use the title for someone whose doctorate is honorary.