Should I take any meaning from the fact that my doctor keeps signing his emails to me with his first name?

Reply back to him: No time for love Dr. Jones!

Is it common to exchange emails with one’s doctor? I’ve never heard of this.

Maybe he’s just more comfortable using his first name. He might not buy into the false Doctor expertise thing. Just because he’s a doctor doesn’t mean he’s higher class than you are. Using first names shows you are more equal.

I work with a lot of students, and they always call me Dr. W or Mr. W, and I always write back just with my first name. We’re people. We’re both on the same team. I may know more than you do, but that doesn’t make me any better.

Not that this changes much. The students all call me Mr. W or Sir. I guess that’s all right. A gesture of respect, but Mr W? That’s my grandfather.

Yes, all my docs are on email now… Saves tones of time.
@wundayatta should I start to call him by his first name? I don’t think he’s better than me, but I’m attempting to be respectful, it would seem strange if I just called him X, but I could.

No. He might not even realize he’s doing it. He’s probably not putting a ton of thought and time into the emails, instead jotting them out quickly. You know how when you order a pizza, the delivery guy will say “Enjoy your pizza” and you reply “You too!” out of reflex? Same idea.
Keep calling him Dr. Last Name unless he specifically says “Please, call me First Name.” He won’t be insulted or disrespected, and on the off-chance he is looking for something less appropriate, it makes your response a bit clearer.

Many health professionals will intentionally use their first name, because it allows the clinician and patient to talk as equals and helps to avoid feelings of insecurity on the part of the patient. It is important for health professionals to come across as open and approachable, or some patients will be too scared to tell the whole story.

I wouldn’t take any romantic meaning from it.

I’ve never heard of emailing back and forth with a doctor. What kind of things do you email about? That may tell you if he is interested or just discussing your health.

You shoud take it as he has a first name and does not feel the need to try to impress people with a string of letters.

Maybe hes the kinda guy that doesn’t get into titles and perfers his patients think of him as a friend and not someone “better than them” I wouldn’t read too much into it, especially if he is of your same general age

I wouldn’t call it being unprofessional or forward. Just friendly and casual. But since he discussed his divorce with you I’d tend to read something more into it. This is pretty darn unusual. (-;
Keep calling him “dr” until HE asks you to call him by his first name. If he does that, you’re off to the races. lol

I’ve never heard of Drs emailing patients either. It just seems very unprofessional to me. If our surgery were to start using email to contact patients, maybe regarding appointments etc, it would be one of our lovely receptionists emailing not one of our GPs. Seems odd to me, and much as I do get on very well with my Dr (and have known him for many years) he has always been, and will always be Dr “surname” to me. I’m sorry I can’t be any more help, honey.
huggles xx

Sorry to be the jerk here but…..is he hot?

My husband’s doctor , after calling him, emailed. We emailed back and forth but strictly regarding medical questions. Very professional at all times. He signs his emails “L” , the first letter of his first name. Why so friendly? Because he works out at the same gym as my daughter and they are kind of friends. That is, she calls him “Doctor” but he always comes up to her and asks how we’re doing and they have a little chit chat. I admire and respect him. yes is he hot? HaHa!

None of mine do, but I have heard of doctors e-mailing patients and see nothing wrong with it. I would just take his use of his first name as informality. It would be highly unprofessional for him to be hitting on you; I wouldn’t take it as that unless he makes a clear overture.

If it’s highly unprofessional to be hitting on a patient does it follow that doctors never marry them?
I know they marry nurses. Is it an unspoken law that they can’t even date a patient with sanctions imposed if they do?

@Aster It’s against the AMA ethics code. Violating it can lead to a suspension of their license or worse.

My Endocrinologist uses email. The emails may have a “signature” that automatically adds to every email. I wouldn’t worry until he asks you out. Personally, I like a more casual title—both for myself and the person I’m conducting business with. I think a doctor who uses his first name has a great attitude. Most are so damn cocky!