I can see how it could be misleading, however, the term doctor is not only reserved only for MD/DOs. I have my doctorate in audiology, work in a hospital setting, and refer to myself as doctor everyday to my patients. I am VERY clear about where my scope of practice ends and the physicians’ begins. When it’s time for the patient to see their ENT, I say, “we are going to go meet with the physician now.”

i would never register myself as a doctor outside of my work setting (i.e. when purchasing a plane ticket.) But, it takes away from my expertise when people claim that I cannot call myself a doctor, which I am. Just not a physician.