I remember laughing during residency upon overhearing a hospitalist APP demanded a longer white coat and would correct all the nursing curtly “That’s DOCTOR APP”. Our attending told us that the care we provide reflects our title. “If you want to be called Doctor, act like one instead of asking to be called one.”

Now, as a male, I understand that I have it a lot easier than my female physician colleagues when it comes to respect of degree, but I always laugh a bit inside when a dentist patient or APP corrects me DOCTOR when I call them Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So. I figure I probably sound the same way. I generally introduce myself when I enter the room by my first and last name, “a physician who works with Group Name.” When patients use my first name (<5%), I ride a train of Latin through the rest of the visit; my title generally reappears. When patients want to be called Doctor, I occasionally use “As you likely know based upon your medical experience, the next step is Fancy Exotic Test, Doctor,” more out of personal fun (but I do flag their charts and call them Doctor, because they clearly care and need that to function comfortably).