Can I introduce myself as "Doctor" before I complete my PhD the way...

[WuzUp?]

...medical students do before they are MDs? In a teaching hospital, medical students introduce themselves as "Doctor" even though they do not have a MD. They are lying about their academic credentials. Is it also OK for doctoral candidates in, let's say, chemistry, to identify themselves as "Doctor" before completing their PhD or do MDs get a special break from fraud laws?

 

[Andromache]

Not in my experience. Students can't legally call themselves doctors if they haven't finished their degree.

But then, I don't know where you live.

 

[antonio d]

NO, It would be cheating...You are passing yourself off as something you are not...I'm guessing that the reason student doctor intorduce themselves as "doctor" is to motivate themselves and put them in a professional mind set...I would imagine this is only done while at the hospital ...and at the permission of the head staff...This is the same for Military cadets...who are allowed to be refered as "Sir" and addressed as "Sir" by the underclassmen "cadets"....But this only applies only within the school or training environment...and at the permission of the cadre...Take Care Good Luck

 

[Roberta E. Lee]

Why not? I know a man who cleans carpets and calls himself Dr Carpet. And there's a man who can't hear very well who calls himself Dr Who? every time you ask him his name.

 

[redgator]

You are way over thinking a very minor issue. And no you can't. Not sure how this is a fraud issue. Jealous b/c you couldn't get into med school?