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Table of Contents
Think
Assess
Patient: Autonomy
Practitioner: Beneficence & Nonmaleficence
Public Policy: Justice
Conclude
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3. Addressing Oneself & Patient
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Medicine is not merely a science but an art. The character of the medical practitioner may act more powerfully upon the patient than the drugs employed.
~ Paracelsus
Deceptive Prescriptions
The Importance of Proper Introductions and Titles in the Medical Profession
It was a quiet afternoon at the hospital when the news broke out – one of their patients was found dead in his room, with no apparent cause of death. The hospital staff was in shock, as the patient had been in stable condition and was expected to make a full recovery. The hospital administration immediately contacted the police, and the investigation into the patient’s death began.
Detective Smith was assigned to the case, and she started her investigation by interviewing the hospital staff, including the medical team responsible for the patient’s care. As she delved deeper into the case, she discovered that the patient had complained to his nurse about a medical student who had introduced himself as a doctor and had prescribed him medication. The patient had been uneasy about the interaction but didn’t want to cause any trouble.
The detective’s suspicion grew, and she called in the medical student for questioning. The student, John Doe, initially denied any wrongdoing, but when pressed, he admitted that he had introduced himself as a doctor to the patient. He had prescribed the medication as an experiment and was curious about the patient’s reaction.
Further investigation revealed that John Doe had a history of deceptive behavior and had been reprimanded in the past for similar incidents. The detective concluded that John Doe’s unethical behavior had resulted in the patient’s death, as the medication he had prescribed was not appropriate for the patient’s condition.
The case went to trial, and John Doe was found guilty of medical malpractice, resulting in the death of a patient. The trial emphasized the importance of proper introductions and the use of titles of respect in the healthcare setting. The medical profession requires a high level of integrity and trust, and any breach of these principles can result in serious consequences for both the practitioner and the patient.
The case became a cautionary tale for medical students and practitioners, emphasizing the need for honesty and transparency in their interactions with patients. The patient-practitioner relationship is built on mutual respect and trust, and any violation of these principles can have dire consequences. The medical profession is not only a science but also an art, and practitioners must balance their medical knowledge with their moral and ethical obligations to their patients.
Abstract
The initial encounter between a patient and practitioner is crucial in establishing the patient-practitioner relationship based on confidentiality and privacy. The practitioner should introduce themselves accurately and determine how the patient would like to be addressed. Titles of respect are important for setting up professional boundaries and acknowledging the patient’s autonomy in providing informed consent for medical treatment options. The practitioner’s role is to educate the patient and help the patient make informed decisions using their own goals, values, and priorities, while the practitioner avoids causing harm and only provides medical standards of care options for the patient to consent to or refuse. It is important for practitioners, especially medical students, to be transparent and honest about their current status and not imply they are licensed practitioners.
**
Think
[3:1] The initial patient-practitioner encounter establishes their patient-practitioner relationship based on the fundamental tenets of patient confidentiality and privacy. This relationship establishes the patient’s right to decisional authority in authorizing the medical practitioner to provide specific medical interventions and general medical care.
[3:2] This initial encounter begins with the disclosure of the following:
- 1. who the medical practitioner is and who is the supervising attending,
- 2. whether or not the practitioner is a physician, or, what type of practitioner the provider is,
- 3. what specialty the practitioner has, and
- 4. if the person is a student, what program year they have completed.
[3:3] Secondly, the practitioner should address the patient using the patient’s first and last name as documented in the medical record. This allows:
- 1. the patient to determine whether or not they wish to communicate with the practitioner,
- 2. allows the practitioner to determine if they are seeing the correct patient, and
- 3. allows the patient to determine how they would like to be addressed and establish their gender identity and title of respect.
[3:4] Example:
Hello, my name is Cary Porter, and I’m a third-year medical student at The Chicago Medical School, and my supervisor and your attending physician is Dr. Cure. May I please ask your name? … How would you like me to address you, and do you have a title of respect you would like me to use?
[3:5] Titles of respect might include Mister, Miss, Mix, Officer, Captain, Doctor, Professor, and others.
[3:6] Socially among equals, there is an unspoken rule of reciprocity when addressing others. If an addresser addresses an addressee using their first name, then based on reciprocity, the addresser has given permission to the addressee to address the addresser using their first name. However, in authoritative relationships, or relationships in which an element of distance and respect must be kept, titles can be essential for establishing social boundaries. Social relationships such as parents, teachers, police, judges, and practitioners have the following respective titles of respect: Mom or Dad, Professor, Officer, Your Honor, and Doctor. These titles of respect are socially necessary for establishing authoritative positions and social boundaries.
[3:7] Under no circumstances should a medical student refer to themself directly or with the vague implication that they are a doctor or a licensed practitioner. Potentiality is not the same as actuality, so it is never permissible for students to refer to themselves as John Doe, MD class of (some future date), or MD Candidate (some future date). Instead, the student needs to be as transparent and honest as possible, addressing themselves with their current status, such as John Doe, First Year Medical Student, Chicago Medical School. Society gives an enormous amount of honor and respect to medical students—for many patients, the respect is even more than that given to licensed practitioners. Students must acknowledge and embrace their student title as long as possible, as they will soon be lifetime practitioners.
Assess
Patient: 1) Autonomy
[3:8] Differences in title in the patient-practitioner relationship indicates a social and authoritative difference between the practitioner and the patient. Titles communicate social status, which can be antithetical in relation to patient decisional authority. Therefore, the practitioner must make it clear at the outset that it is the patient who has the autonomous authority for providing informed consent that authorizes, refuses, or withdraws the practitioner’s treatment options.
[3:9] The practitioner informs the patient of various accepted medical options, including no treatment, along with their associated risks and benefits, answers all the patient’s questions, and then it is the patient who has the legal and moral authority to determine what treatment the practitioner will ultimately be authorized to provide. Of course, this is with the implicit understanding that the practitioner has the most knowledge and experience with the treatment options. Therefore, practically, the practitioner’s counseling and guidance is an indispensable element of what is defined as a shared decision-making process.
[3:10] It behooves or is incumbent upon practitioners to introduce themselves accurately and then determine how the patient wishes to be addressed and identify themself. As a general rule, it is best to address the patient using a title of respect as social recognition of the patient’s incontestable right and authority for making autonomous informed consent decisions.
[3:11] Care must be taken to minimize the patient’s desire to show and express deference to the practitioner. These submissive tendencies are a natural result of the one-sidedness of confidential and private information that the practitioner has, the patient being in a vulnerable and dependent state, psychological transference, and the patient needing to have complete trust in the practitioner’s knowledge, skills, and competency.
[3:12] The term doctor comes from the Latin word “docere,” which means “to teach” and was historically reserved for the academic degree of PhD, so it is a bit of a misnomer when applied to a professional degree like MD. However, the use of the address Doctor can be justified when considering the role that practitioners have in not only teaching the art of medicine to the next generation of practitioners but also teaching patients about their medical condition, treatment options and helping them to make appropriate medical decisions using the patient’s reasonable goals, values, and priorities.
Practitioner: 2) Beneficence & 3) Nonmaleficence
[3:13] Although care must be taken to minimize the patient’s submissive tendencies, titles of respect in the healthcare setting are essential for setting up the necessary and expected professional boundaries that are part of the patient-practitioner relationship. There are very strong legal, professional, and moral mandates that forbid boundary violations such as sexual or romantic relations between a practitioner and their patients, and the medical treatment of self, family members, and friends. Some reasons for these professional boundaries are:
- 1. historical disclosure of essential information such as the past and present use of drugs and medications, along with other necessary information for accurate, safe, and effective treatment, may be compromised,
- 2. physical examination of sensitive or private parts may be compromised and perceived as an intimate violation, and
- 3. social and family structures are such that differences in social status and decisional authority can disrupt or invalidate any notion of a valid informed consent and authorization.
[3:14] Titles of respect help create boundaries for both the practitioner and the patient that are an effective means for establishing social limits for the protection of the practitioner, and most importantly, the protection of the patient.
Public Policy: 4) Justice
[3:15] The patient-practitioner relationship is not just between a single practitioner and a single patient, but rather it is also a social-contract between a member of the medical profession and a citizen of society. Any violation of this relationship has a cascading effect of diminishing society’s trust in the profession as a whole.
[3:16] If a practitioner’s title of Doctor is used not to establish authority but the communication of the professional patient-practitioner boundaries, then such use is recommended and laudable. A patient’s title of Mister, Miss, or Professor, etc., communicates both the patient-practitioner boundaries and the patient’s authority to consent and give authorization to the practitioner for treatment and care, and that too is recommended and laudable.
[3:17] The social principle of justice is often equilibrated with the notion of reciprocity because reciprocity is thought to be socially fair. So also, with the fair exchange of titles of respect that reciprocally empowers patients to make autonomous decisions and establishes professional and social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship.
Conclude
[3:18] It is imperative that the student, resident doctors, and other healthcare practitioners, introduce themselves honestly, accurately, and with no implied deception caused by vagueness. At no time is it permissible for a student to refer to themself as MD or Doctoral Candidate. Students must embrace the honor of being a medical student and communicate that they are a student and in what year in the program. Titles of respect should establish the patient’s authority for making consent decisions and for establishing professional boundaries. Titles of honor, when used properly, can maximize the patient’s best interests, as determined by the patient’s reasonable goals, values, and priorities.
[3:19] In summary, the proper introduction and use of titles of respect play a pivotal role in establishing a strong patient-practitioner relationship, enabling patients to make autonomous decisions and setting up essential professional boundaries. Medical students and practitioners must introduce themselves honestly and accurately, embracing their current status and ensuring the patient’s best interests are met through a shared decision-making process that respects the patient’s goals, values, and priorities.
(For more information on professional boundaries, see: 36. patient-practitioner Relationship, 46. Self-Treatment & Family-Treatment, and 47. Sexual Boundaries)
**
3. Review Questions
1. The student must disclose to the patient that they are a student, the year in the program, and the supervising attending physician.
2. Title of respect is essential for establishing social boundaries.
3. Based on the principle of beneficence, it is permissible to be vague about one’s student status if doing so increases patient compliance.
4. It is essential to address the patient using a title of respect as that is a social recognition of the patient’s decision-making authority.
5. The patient’s natural tendency to express deference to the practitioner is caused by:
6. The term doctor comes from the Latin “docere,” which means:
7. The principle of justice is often equilibrated with the notion of reciprocity. Therefore, the fair exchange of titles of respect is essential for empowering the patient to make medical decisions.
**
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:2] This initial encounter begins with the disclosure of the following:
- 1. who the practitioner is,
- 2. whether or not the person is a physician,
- 3. what specialty the practitioner has, and
- 4. if the person is a student, what program year they have completed.
Wrong 😕
[3:2] This initial encounter begins with the disclosure of the following:
- 1. who the practitioner is,
- 2. whether or not the person is a physician,
- 3. what specialty the practitioner has, and
- 4. if the person is a student, what program year they have completed.
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:6] Socially among equals, there is an unspoken rule of reciprocity when addressing others. If an addresser addresses an addressee using their first name, then based on reciprocity, the addresser has given permission to the addressee to address the addresser using their first name. However, in authoritative relationships, or relationships in which an element of distance and respect must be kept, titles can be essential for establishing social boundaries. Social relationships such as parents, teachers, police, judges, and practitioners have the following respective titles of respect: Mom or Dad, Professor, Officer, Your Honor, and Doctor. These titles of respect are socially necessary for establishing authoritative positions and social boundaries.
Wrong 😕
[3:6] Socially among equals, there is an unspoken rule of reciprocity when addressing others. If an addresser addresses an addressee using their first name, then based on reciprocity, the addresser has given permission to the addressee to address the addresser using their first name. However, in authoritative relationships, or relationships in which an element of distance and respect must be kept, titles can be essential for establishing social boundaries. Social relationships such as parents, teachers, police, judges, and practitioners have the following respective titles of respect: Mom or Dad, Professor, Officer, Your Honor, and Doctor. These titles of respect are socially necessary for establishing authoritative positions and social boundaries.
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:7] Under no circumstances should a medical student refer to themselves directly or with the vague implication that they are a doctor or a licensed practitioner. Potentiality is not the same as actuality, so it is never permissible for students to refer to themselves as John Doe, MD class of (some future date), or MD Candidate (some future date). Instead, the student needs to be as transparent and honest as possible, addressing themselves with their current status, such as John Doe, First Year Medical Student, Chicago Medical School. Society gives an enormous amount of honor and respect to medical students—for many patients, the respect is even more than that given to practitioners. Students must embrace their student title as long as possible, as they will soon be lifetime practitioners.
Wrong 😕
[3:7] Under no circumstances should a medical student refer to themselves directly or with the vague implication that they are a doctor or a licensed practitioner. Potentiality is not the same as actuality, so it is never permissible for students to refer to themselves as John Doe, MD class of (some future date), or MD Candidate (some future date). Instead, the student needs to be as transparent and honest as possible, addressing themselves with their current status, such as John Doe, First Year Medical Student, Chicago Medical School. Society gives an enormous amount of honor and respect to medical students—for many patients, the respect is even more than that given to practitioners. Students must embrace their student title as long as possible, as they will soon be lifetime practitioners.
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:10] Therefore, it behooves or is incumbent upon the practitioner to introduce themselves accurately and then determine how the patient wishes to be addressed and identify themselves. As a general rule, it is best to address the patient using a title of respect as social recognition of the patient’s incontestable right and authority for making autonomous informed consent decisions.
Wrong 😕
[3:10] Therefore, it behooves or is incumbent upon the practitioner to introduce themselves accurately and then determine how the patient wishes to be addressed and identify themselves. As a general rule, it is best to address the patient using a title of respect as social recognition of the patient’s incontestable right and authority for making autonomous informed consent decisions.
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:11] Care must be taken to minimize the patient’s desire to show and express deference to the practitioner. These submissive tendencies are a natural result of the one-sidedness of confidential and private information that the practitioner has, the patient being in a vulnerable and dependent state, psychological transference, and the patient needing to have complete trust in the practitioner’s knowledge, skills, and competency.
Wrong 😕
[3:11] Care must be taken to minimize the patient’s desire to show and express deference to the practitioner. These submissive tendencies are a natural result of the one-sidedness of confidential and private information that the practitioner has, the patient being in a vulnerable and dependent state, psychological transference, and the patient needing to have complete trust in the practitioner’s knowledge, skills, and competency.
Wrong 😕
[3:12] The term doctor comes from the Latin “docere,” which means “to teach” and was historically reserved for the academic degree of PhD, so it is a bit of a misnomer when applied to a professional degree like MD. However, the use of the address Doctor can be justified when considering the role that practitioners have in not only teaching the art of medicine to the next generation of practitioners but also teaching patients about their medical condition, treatment options and helping them make appropriate medical decisions using the patient’s reasonable goals, values, and priorities.
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:12] The term doctor comes from the Latin “docere,” which means “to teach” and was historically reserved for the academic degree of PhD, so it is a bit of a misnomer when applied to a professional degree like MD. However, the use of the address Doctor can be justified when considering the role that practitioners have in not only teaching the art of medicine to the next generation of practitioners but also teaching patients about their medical condition, treatment options and helping them make appropriate medical decisions using the patient’s reasonable goals, values, and priorities.
CORRECT! 🙂
[3:17] The social principle of justice is often equilibrated with the notion of reciprocity because reciprocity is thought to be socially fair. So also, with the fair exchange of titles of respect that reciprocally empowers patients to make autonomous decisions and establishes professional and social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship.
Wrong 😕
[3:17] The social principle of justice is often equilibrated with the notion of reciprocity because reciprocity is thought to be socially fair. So also, with the fair exchange of titles of respect that reciprocally empowers patients to make autonomous decisions and establishes professional and social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship.
3. Clinical Vignettes
1. Mr. Max Taylor, a 66-year-old farmer has scheduled an initial appointment with a practitioner. During this encounter, the following details will be communicated:
2. Ms. Brook Campbell, a 26-year-old journalist, walks into a medical clinic for the first time to meet with a practitioner. Which actions best exemplify the unspoken rule of reciprocity and the importance of titles in establishing social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship?
3. Mr. Wade Perez, a 22-year-old college student, who identifies as non-binary, walks into your clinic for a routine check-up. As a practitioner, you are responsible for accurately introducing yourself and determining how the patient wishes to be addressed. How should the practitioner address the patient during the appointment?
4. What is the origin of the term "Doctor," and why is it sometimes considered a misnomer when used in reference to an MD?
5. Ms. Irene Brown, a 42-year-old counselor visits your clinic for a follow-up appointment. They introduce themselves to you and inform you that they prefer to be addressed by their first name. How should a practitioner respond when a patient requests to be addressed by their first name instead of a formal title such as "Mr." or "Ms."?
CORRECT! 🙂
Explanation: The correct answer is to provide the most complete and transparent disclosure of the practitioner's identity, status as a physician or non-physician practitioner, specialty, supervising attending, and program year (if applicable) [3:2]. This level of disclosure is necessary for the patient to make an informed decision about his care and to ensure that he is receiving care from a qualified and appropriately supervised practitioner [3:1]. Each of the other options omit important information that could impact the patient’s decision-making process and potentially compromise the quality of his care [3:2].
Wrong 😕
Explanation: The correct answer is to provide the most complete and transparent disclosure of the practitioner's identity, status as a physician or non-physician practitioner, specialty, supervising attending, and program year (if applicable) [3:2]. This level of disclosure is necessary for the patient to make an informed decision about his care and to ensure that he is receiving care from a qualified and appropriately supervised practitioner [3:1]. Each of the other options omit important information that could impact the patient’s decision-making process and potentially compromise the quality of his care [3:2].
CORRECT! 🙂
Explanation: There is an unspoken rule of reciprocity and the importance of titles in establishing social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship [3:6]. Ideally, the patient demonstrates respect for the practitioner's title by addressing them as "Doctor," and in turn, the practitioner shows respect for the patient's social status by addressing them as “Mr./Ms. [last name]" [3:10]. This reflects the importance of establishing clear social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship to ensure a professional and respectful environment [3:13].
Wrong 😕
Explanation: There is an unspoken rule of reciprocity and the importance of titles in establishing social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship [3:6]. Ideally, the patient demonstrates respect for the practitioner's title by addressing them as "Doctor," and in turn, the practitioner shows respect for the patient's social status by addressing them as “Mr./Ms. [last name]" [3:10]. This reflects the importance of establishing clear social boundaries in the patient-practitioner relationship to ensure a professional and respectful environment [3:13].
CORRECT! 🙂
Explanation: As a general rule, it is best to address the patient using a title of respect as social recognition of the patient's incontestable right and authority for making autonomous informed consent decisions [3:10]. Practitioners should always ask the patient how they prefer to be addressed rather than making assumptions based on their appearance or gender [3:4]. This shows the patient that their wishes and comfort are respected and valued, leading to a better patient-practitioner relationship and improved health outcomes [3:10].
Wrong 😕
Explanation: As a general rule, it is best to address the patient using a title of respect as social recognition of the patient's incontestable right and authority for making autonomous informed consent decisions [3:10]. Practitioners should always ask the patient how they prefer to be addressed rather than making assumptions based on their appearance or gender [3:4]. This shows the patient that their wishes and comfort are respected and valued, leading to a better patient-practitioner relationship and improved health outcomes [3:10].
CORRECT! 🙂
Explanation: The term "Doctor" comes from the Latin word "docere," which means "to teach." Originally, the title of "Doctor" was reserved for individuals who had earned academic degrees, such as a PhD, in recognition of their advanced knowledge and ability to teach others [3:12]. In contrast, the title of "Physician" was historically reserved for individuals who were licensed to practice medicine and provide care to patients. Today, however, the term "Doctor" is often used interchangeably with "Physician," even though it is technically a misnomer when used in reference to an MD, as the MD degree is primarily a professional, rather than an academic, degree [3:12]. Nonetheless, the use of "Doctor" as a title for physicians has become widely accepted in many countries, including the United States.
Wrong 😕
Explanation: The term "Doctor" comes from the Latin word "docere," which means "to teach." Originally, the title of "Doctor" was reserved for individuals who had earned academic degrees, such as a PhD, in recognition of their advanced knowledge and ability to teach others [3:12]. In contrast, the title of "Physician" was historically reserved for individuals who were licensed to practice medicine and provide care to patients. Today, however, the term "Doctor" is often used interchangeably with "Physician," even though it is technically a misnomer when used in reference to an MD, as the MD degree is primarily a professional, rather than an academic, degree [3:12]. Nonetheless, the use of "Doctor" as a title for physicians has become widely accepted in many countries, including the United States.
CORRECT! 🙂
Explanation: It is important to respect the patient's preference for how they wish to be addressed, but it is also important to acknowledge the use of formal titles of respect in a professional setting for establishing decision-making authority and professional boundaries [3:10]. By agreeing to the patient's request and using their first name, the practitioner shows respect for the patient's autonomy and personal preferences [3:3]. However, by also acknowledging the importance of professional boundaries, the practitioner can help to ensure that the patient understands their role as a practitioner and the patient's role as a patient in the relationship [3:13]. It is inappropriate to disregard the patient's preference and autonomy, and being too informal does not show proper respect for professional boundaries and runs the risk of blurring the professional-patient relationship [3:10].
Wrong 😕
Explanation: It is important to respect the patient's preference for how they wish to be addressed, but it is also important to acknowledge the use of formal titles of respect in a professional setting for establishing decision-making authority and professional boundaries [3:10]. By agreeing to the patient's request and using their first name, the practitioner shows respect for the patient's autonomy and personal preferences [3:3]. However, by also acknowledging the importance of professional boundaries, the practitioner can help to ensure that the patient understands their role as a practitioner and the patient's role as a patient in the relationship [3:13]. It is inappropriate to disregard the patient's preference and autonomy, and being too informal does not show proper respect for professional boundaries and runs the risk of blurring the professional-patient relationship [3:10].
**
3. Cases: 3a, 3b
Instructions
1. Read Prompt, 2. Think, Assess, & Conclude (TAC), then 3. Select an answer that mirrors the TAC conclusion.
Note: After success, select each of the wrong answers to understand why each of them is wrong.
3a
A third-year medical student enters the patient’s room and introduces themself:
Hello, my name is Cary Porter, and I’m a third-year doctoral candidate at The Chicago Medical School. Is your name John Doe? Great. How would you like me to address you, and do you have a title of respect you would like me to use?
Think
Assess
Patient: Autonomy
Practitioner: Beneficence & Nonmaleficence
Public Policy: Justice
Conclude
**
3b
A third-year medical student has an email signature card that says:
Cary Porter, MD Candidate, Class of (some future date)
Think
Assess
Patient: Autonomy
Practitioner: Beneficence & Nonmaleficence
Public Policy: Justice
Conclude
***
Wrong 😕
A. This is a good example of an email signature card.
This is a good example of how a medical student should NOT to have an email signature card.
Wrong 😕
A. This is a good example of how a medical student should introduce themself.
This is a good example of how a medical student should NOT introduce themself.
Wrong 😕
B. The medical student instead of doctoral candidate, should say MD candidate.
Both “Doctoral Candidate” and “MD Candidate” are inappropriate as those titles have not been conferred upon the student by the educational institution, and claiming that they have been is a misrepresentation.
CORRECT! 🙂
THINK (Question)
How should a medical student address themself to a patient?
ASSESS
- • Patient Autonomy (informed consent)
Most titles are not freely chosen; rather, they are institutionally determined. The patient-practitioner relationship is based on trust, honesty, and transparency. - • Practitioner Beneficence (do good) & Nonmaleficence (do no harm)
Misrepresenting oneself to a patient is lying to the patient, a form of deceptive fraud. It is professionally expected that practitioners will be honest with their patients.
The initial encounter should begin with the disclosure of the following:
1. who the practitioner is,
2. whether or not the practitioner is a physician,
3. what specialty the practitioner has, and
4. if the person is a student, what program year they have completed. - • Public-Policy Justice (be fair)
Under no circumstances should medical students refer to themselves directly or with the vague implication that they are a doctor or a licensed practitioner. Potentiality is not the same as actuality, so it is never permissible for students to refer to themselves as John Doe, MD class of (some future date), or MD Candidate (some future date).
CONCLUDE
The student needs to be as transparent and honest as possible, addressing themselves with their current status, such as Cary Porter, third-year medical student, Chicago Medical School.
Wrong 😕
D. Since the medical student's role is primarily to be an observer, although polite, it is not necessary to introduce themself to the patient.
Patient privacy and confidentiality, within the bounds of institutional general consent, allow the patient to determine whether or not to be observed by a student. Therefore, students must introduce themselves honestly and transparently.
Wrong 😕
B. The email signature care should say Doctoral Candidate, not MD Candidate
Both “Doctoral Candidate” and “MD Candidate” are inappropriate as those titles have not been conferred upon the student by the educational institution, and claiming that they have been is fraud.
CORRECT! 🙂
THINK (Question)
Is MD Candidate an appropriate email signature for a medical student?
ASSESS
- • Patient Autonomy (informed consent)
MD Candidate is a deceptive title to the patient as they will assume that all coursework has been completed and that the student is a physician. - • Practitioner Beneficence (do good) & Nonmaleficence (do no harm)
The signature MD Candidate is a fraud, as the institution does not confer that title until all graduation requirements have been completed. - • Public-Policy Justice (be fair)
In the law, an individual either has an MD degree, or they do not. Individuals are potentially any number of things, but that does not mean an individual can claim any title they wish as long as they preface with a future date. Under no circumstances should medical students refer to themselves directly or with the vague implication that they are doctors or licensed practitioners, as that is fraud. Potentiality is not the same as actuality, so it is never permissible for students to refer to themselves as John Doe, MD class of (some future date), or MD Candidate (some future date).
CONCLUDE
The student needs to be as transparent and honest as possible, addressing themself with their current status, such as Cary Porter, Third-Year Medical Student, Chicago Medical School.
Wrong 😕
D. It is of pragmatic value to present yourself with as high a status as possible as that will instill trust towards you from the patient.
Student honesty towards patients outweighs pragmatic values, as it is honesty that promotes: the patient-practitioner relationship, autonomy, and social justice.
