Thursday, August 14, 2025

Introductions to another physician

My family doctor, who I had seen yearly for over two decades, and was my age, had the audacity to retire almost two-years ago (said sarcastically).

I recently went to see a new family physician, whom my wife had help to train and whom she recommended I see.

He was in his mid-to-late 30s.

In general, everything went fine except for the following:

I introduced myself by my first name when I stood to shake his hand.

He introduced himself as “Dr.,” followed only by his last name.

That annoyed me, as he knew I was a physician.

But it’s no surprise that I was annoyed.

I’ve always introduced myself to other physicians by my first name.

A physician who introduces himself as “Dr.,”  followed only by their last name, when acknowledging my introduction, has always been a pet peeve, especially if I’m older or we are about the same age.

But, I’ve always made it a point of getting to know their first name so as to only use it when we subsequently cross pass professionally and/or socially.

I wonder if that annoys them?

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