OPINIONLetters to the Editor - July 14, 2008Titles should convey clarity, but "doctor of nursing" will confuse public - A scribe, not an EHR, for efficiency - Gifts and trips are given to physicians with the expectation of a return - Don't limit liability reform to crises - Safety tips an acknowledgment that some practices choose to be armed Titles should convey clarity, but "doctor of nursing" will confuse publicRegarding "Medical testing board to introduce doctor of nursing certification" (Article, June 16): If nurses want to be doctors, then they should go to medical school. They are being dishonest to the patients and the general public to represent themselves as more than they are. Instead, they should be proud to call themselves a nurse or NP, as these are honorable professions. There is a huge difference in the amount of education and clinical training between a doctor, APNs, PAs and now doctor of nursing, and our titles should convey to the patient who we truly are. You do not see legal assistants trying to call themselves lawyers; nor should nurses call themselves doctors. It just confuses the public. --Charlotte Wagamon, MD, Conneaut Lake, Pa. A scribe, not an EHR, for efficiencyRegarding "EHRs must be made irresistible, but for now are clearly inadequate" (Letters, May 26): The letter from Christine A. Sinsky, MD, of Dubuque, Iowa, explains my reluctance to use electronic health records. I do use these systems for appointments and billing, resulting in an extra employee at the front desk. I have investigated voice-recognition systems for medical records and have not employed them as yet. I use a technician, who also doubles as a scribe for my patient care. This has been the most beneficial for practice efficiency and quality. My decision is an educated decision and also based on my training as an engineer and my wife's master's degree in computer science. --David S.C. Pao, MD, Levittown, Pa. Gifts and trips are given to physicians with the expectation of a returnRegarding "There is no 'unholy alliance' between doctors and drug, medical firms" (Letters, June 16): The drug industry knows that lavish dinners tilt professional judgment in favor of promoted products. Reciprocating patronage and favors is the norm of social life, including medical referrals. There is a reflex sense of gratitude to the host for the attention and delightful dinner. The company-sponsored trips to vacation places for demonstration and training in this age of video technology are not meant to be educational. No physician will take a patient to a Broadway show to teach proper use of crutches. There is no such thing as free lunch. --Mohinder Partap, MD, St. Louis Don't limit liability reform to crisesRegarding "Liability shield in times of disaster" (Column, June 16): I don't get it. Why am I forgiven for a goof in "times of disaster" but not during ordinary times? Silly laws. I recommend we abandon our nonsense medicolegal system for a more rational, although imperfect, tribunal judge system. --Paul A. Latour, MD, Franklin, Tenn. Safety tips an acknowledgment that some practices choose to be armedRegarding "Crimeproof your practice: How to improve office safety" (Article, April 21): Thank you for the inclusion of the sidebar "A gun in the practice" with this recent article. Despite what the quoted spokeswoman for Physicians for Social Responsibility says, the fact is that there are physicians who choose to protect themselves and their employees with a firearm. The safety reminders included in the sidebar are certainly more useful than ignoring the issue and pretending it doesn't exist. --James S. Blachly, MD, Little Rock, Ark. Copyright 2008 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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