Tweetcap: Are you a ‘provider’?

The term “provider” has been hotly debated in medical circles for years. Jennifer Weiss, MD, a pediatric orthopedist at Southern California Permanente Medical Group, recently raised the topic on social media that started a larger conversation.

I am sadly numb to being called a “provider” by administration. But I am now hearing and seeing the word used by other physicians and even patients. #medtwitter #somedocs let’s at least agree to call ourselves doctors/physicians??? @somedocs @DontSayProvider @PermanenteDocs

— Jennifer Weiss (@mymomthesurgeon) August 28, 2019

A flurry of insights and opinions on the subject soon followed…

I’ll raise that comment, & encourage everyone to use #physician instead of doctor.

If an admin, #patient or colleague addresses you as something else, kindly correct & educate. At the #Nof1 pic.twitter.com/R8MxhFPo60

— CancerGeek (@CancerGeek) August 29, 2019

…some delved into the meaning attached to words that describe medical professionals…

Your brothers and sisters up north at WPMG use the word clínician. Our medical group is composed of disciplines beyond physicians hence the more inclusive term. BTW provider is a health entity, company or facility in the eyes of CMS. Claim the word that is more people focused

— Jeffrey Grice, MD (@JeffreyGrice) August 29, 2019

…an academic perspective was also offered…

We went to medical school, not provider school. @mymomthesurgeon https://t.co/zKWI7U4bHq

— KP San Diego FM Residency Program (@KPSDFMR) August 29, 2019

…there was even a Star Trek reference to drive the point home…

This is the only way some people will get it. #LetDoctorsBeDoctors #takebackmedicine pic.twitter.com/c7E8VG0Wz0

— Doctor≠Provider (@DontSayProvider) February 7, 2016

…the topic inspired conversations about other terminology…

Or “prescriber”! Rxing is often the smallest part of a patient encounter and I hate how this terminology reduces/demeans my work and patients’ recovery, esp in #psych when therapy is an tx option.

— Falisha Gilman (@FalishaGilman) August 29, 2019

…ideas for educating future generations of physicians were shared…

Amen. I’m having all my new interns introduce themselves as “doctor” during our OR time outs. Recognition doesn’t mean hierarchy, but it’s important.

— Mary L. Brandt MD (@drmlb) August 29, 2019

…and the campaign to continue this conversation is going strong…

Let’s keep this effort going!! I’m a surgeon, a physician, a doctor. #Provider contributes to patient confusion, professional degradation, and physician burnout. I’m NOT a Provider. @DontSayProvider @mymomthesurgeon @AJ_JohnsonMD @RugbyMD @Str8bonesJim https://t.co/aVOslMK34q

— Christopher J Tucker (@ChrisTuckerMD) August 29, 2019

Follow Permanente Medicine @PermanenteDocs on Twitter and share your thoughts on this topic.