N.J. proposal defines who is a 'doctor' in clinical settings

Just who is entitled to be called “doctor” in hospitals, medical offices and other clinical settings is being considered by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners. Under a proposal before the board, physician assistants (PA) with doctoral degrees would be barred from using the title in clinical settings.

The board’s PA advisory committee said confusion results when PAs who hold doctoral degrees are referred to as “doctors” and patients believe they are medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine. Physician assistants would also be prohibited from using the title on stationery and prescriptions, but not in nonclinical settings.

Source: NJ Spotlight