2019-08-08 02:00:07
What’s in a name?
IN THIS ISSUE we have an article from Dr. Gregory Stewart regarding the title of “doctor.” In it, he challenges the detractors about their indignation when chiropractors indentify themselves as “Dr. X.” However, when someone like veterinarians or psychologists use the title, the angered response isn’t there. Why? (You can find his story on page 27.) While reading it, a news item from The Canadian Press (CP) made its way into my inbox.
In Saskatchewan, CP reported that a former MD who was stripped of his medical license was found to still call himself a doctor online. After Josias Furstenburg lost his medical licence, he resurfaced on YouTube with a channel called “Pinky and the Doc.” He refers to himself as Dotor Jof and encourages subscribers to “ask the doctor anything.” When approached by CBC News, Furstenburg said it’s ultimately the responsibility of others [the public] to do their own due diligence. After being probed by the news network, he added a disclaimer that he does not diagnose, treat or prevent medical conditions, and the videos are for educational purposes only. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan has launched an investigation.
The fact is, chiropractors aren’t misleading the public by using the title of Doctor. In Ontario, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists and optometrists are among those legally allowed to use the abbreviation “Dr” before their name. I read about an audiologist who was brought to court for using Dr. The defence argument was that there was no difference between a four-year degree on the eyes (optometrist), four years on the mouth (dentist) and four years on the ears (as an audiologist). The court said: “Unlike the five health professions authorized to use the “Doctor” title, no class of audiologist certificate required an applicant to have passed a licensing examination. Furthermore, unlike the other professions, audiologists were not entitled to communicate a diagnosis as the cause of an individual’s symptoms.”
The decision was largely based on provisions within the Regulated Health Professions Act. The RHPA keeps the public safe. Remember, Furstenburg said it’s up to the public to do their due diligence. But I think he should be doing his due diligence and not mislead in the first place. If he’s unable to practice according to his regulatory college, then he’s stripped of the title.
Chiropractors in Canada should strive to continue to keep the public safe, and therfore, conserve the title of “Doctor.”
JANNEN BELBECK, Editor
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