What's In A Name?

A surgical resident I encountered in an online chatroom asked me about my interaction with the residents I work with at MSTH.

"What do you mean?" I typed.

She hesitated then replied, "Do you call them 'Doctor'?"

Apparently, she was someone who insisted on being called "Doctor" or "Dr. [last name]" --- especially by the nurses.

Hmmmm... I never thought much about how I address people at work. We work so closely in such an intense environment that, over the last year and a half that I have been there, they are more like family than co-workers.

The surgical residents rotate through our operating room twice during their residency. Several months to a year may pass before we see them again. For the most part, they are wonderful to work with. I do find myself getting attached to certain people, then poof! Just like that, they ride off into the sunset. We are sad to see them go, but very proud to have been part of their training.

When the residents first show up, they introduce themselves as "Joe Smith" - or whatever the case may be. First name, last name. They know that I am well-aware that they are doctors. Or maybe they aren't comfortable as new doctors introducing themselves as "doctor" to other healthcare professionals. Or maybe they don't really care. They know who they are. As long as they are respected as professionals, they're happy. I really don't know...

Back in the chatroom conversation, I explained how it works in our operating room.

Online Surgical Resident seemed surprised. Then she asked me if they call me "Nurse Molly."

Huh??? Oh geez... Are you serious???

I giggled to myself. To me, it just sounds so.... Weird. It's like child's play. You be the nurse, you be the patient, and you be the doctor. I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath, and typed my answer.

"Of course not!!! They just call me Molly..."

I explained to OSR, that we focus less on titles and more on respecting each other and our important roles in patient care. That's it. And when you work so closely with people, you get to really know them... You become very familiar with them. Get it? Like family. I would never call my pediatrician sister-in-law, "Dr. Brown" --- except in front of her patients, but that's it.

OSR replied, "That makes sense."

Ultimately, it didn't matter whether or not she agreed with me. After all, I had no idea who she is or where she is a resident. What was important to me was the realization that my team and the residents we encounter have our priorities straight: patient care, professionalism, teamwork, and respect.