All people who complete a doctorate program are entitled to be addressed as "doctor". This includes everything from a Ph.D. (the original "doctor"), to M.D.s and D.O.s (medical doctors), and yes, D.C.

The chiropractors aren't having folks call them doctor because they have the right to (as someone with a PhD would do). They are doing it to make folks think they are medical professionals in the same manner as an M.D.

In other words, posing as a medical doctor.

And this kills folks when you consider the sort of scam practices that a lot of chiropractors tend to practice. Honestly, I think it is too bad that we've decided to use the same word for all of these and I'd be happy to change things legally to protect folks from this sort of sham.

Well, we have three choices. Either:

1. We change this social norm

2. we come up with a better title for people who didn't get a degree in quackery from an online program, or

3. most people lose all trust in doctors.

Beyond old age, the vast majority of people are bad at taking care of themselves. So many people that it is not a moral issue. It is a systemic issue.

The problem is, you don’t need to take care of yourself, until you do. Society doesn’t prepare us for that. (I got to learn the hard way.)

All it takes is one accident or affliction to change this ability. Unresponsive due to a car accident, for example, or simply not having your list of information when you got rushed to the hospital. Confusion due to a high fever. A stroke due to an undiagnosed and hidden condition. Heck, simply age or winding up with a complicated health situation can do it.

In short: You really only can trust yourself if you have enough luck.

They’re called “teachers” because their degree qualifies them to teach medical students.

It has its origin in the medieval academic degree system.

But it’s not in any way about their instruction of patients.