These days, the title “doctor” is used by a wide range of health professionals, leading to some confusion. As noted in a news article by Roger Collier, even style guides like The Canadian Press Stylebook suggest reserving “doctor” for physicians. Beyond physicians and surgeons, dentists, chiropodists, and even pharmacists in some countries, alongside university professors, also use this title. This widespread use begs the question: who truly holds the title of “doctor,” and what does it signify? To understand this, we need to delve into the linguistic and historical roots of the term.
The term “doctor” originates from the Latin verb “docere,” which fundamentally means “to teach.” It signifies someone who is a teacher or a scholar. While some health professionals may engage in teaching as part of their duties, it’s primarily university professors, particularly those holding doctoral degrees, who dedicate their careers to teaching and academia. Historically, the title “doctor” emerged in the Middle Ages specifically to recognize and honor eminent scholars. These early doctorates, dating back to the 1300s, were bestowed upon individuals of great learning and commanded significant respect and prestige within society.
The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, stands as the highest academic degree awarded by universities. This doctorate is research-focused, requiring years of dedicated study and original contribution to knowledge.
In contrast, health professionals typically earn undergraduate degrees in their respective fields, such as medicine. These are professional degrees, designed to prepare individuals for practice, and are distinct from academic doctorates. The MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree, for example, is not integrated into the graduate faculties of North American universities in the same way as a PhD.
This distinction extends to other fields. The practice of awarding “Doctor of Law” degrees, like the Juris Doctor (JD) at institutions such as the University of Windsor, to undergraduate law school graduates further complicates the matter. These JD degrees, while carrying the “doctor” title, are also undergraduate professional degrees, not academic doctorates.
The association of medical professionals with the “doctor” title gained traction in the 17th century, particularly in Scotland. Medical schools began to address their graduates as “doctors,” arguing that these individuals already held a bachelor’s degree before entering medical school. However, this logic is debatable. A degree beyond a bachelor’s level could equally be a master’s degree, which also represents advanced study but is not a doctoral qualification.
A true doctoral degree, the PhD, is earned after obtaining a master’s degree and signifies advanced research and scholarship. Earning a PhD typically involves six to eight years of rigorous work beyond a bachelor’s degree and qualifies the holder to use the title “doctor.” These PhD holders are often the social and physical scientists who drive research, analyze data, and contribute to the body of published knowledge that informs various fields, including medicine.
The distinction becomes clear when considering the different roles. When a PhD holder is asked in a medical or dental setting what kind of doctor they are, the response “the real one” carries a weight of historical and academic accuracy. It underscores the role of PhD doctors as educators and researchers, those who often teach and inform the practices of other professions.
Hopefully, this explanation clarifies some of the confusion surrounding the title “doctor” within the community. Recognizing the historical and academic context of the title helps to appreciate the distinct achievements and roles of different professionals who use it. It is about understanding the nuances of academic and professional titles rather than diminishing the importance of any profession.
