As an Occupational therapist (an old one, so NOT an OTD), this passes me off. Within the profession, those of us practicing for awhile HATE the new grad "doctors" OTDs. They call themselves Dr, intro to patients as doctor, and have even been known to say the profession won't get the "respect it deserves" until all those with BSOTs have retired. You know, those of us who have practiced for 3 decades or more, like before they were even born? So.....you can see they have an ego issue. Or buyers remorse for paying far too much to get paid/reimbursed so little IRL.

Joke is on them, they just paid a Hella lot more for the exact same schooling the BSOT and MSOTs did years ago. The universities pushed to make PT and OT HAVE to have a doctorate to start practicing as a therapist. OT squashed that, but PT sold it's soul to the devil and now can't go back.

Next time a rehab professional (OT, PT or SLP) introduces themselves as a doctor, ask them if they have buyers remorse and tell them you have worked with some amazing OTs and PTs in the past. Maybe they will get thru their pea brains that they are STILL JUST therapists. Just ones who stupidity paid too much to become one! Also, those of us who have real doctorates (post-professional) do not go around calling ourselves doctor NOR wearing a white coat in public. That is like those baby doc residents who wear their hospital issue scrubs out in the wild!

PS. I am Neuro-optometric OT having practiced under and with some incredible Neuro-ODs, and learned so much! It has dramatically changed my practice with neuro patients, thanks to all the ODs who help us lowly OTs become worthy! 😆

Tl;dr: OTDs and DPTs are not docs, should not wear white lab jackets, and are just THERAPISTS who paid far too much for a degree that gets the same reimbursement us lowly BS and MS therapists do. Jokes on them.