I'm no fan of the Biden family but @DrBiden was indeed disrespected by the reporter in question regarding her title. This should not be something that requires explaining in the 21st century but a lot of people seem confused. So here we go: The title of "doctor" is NOT

synonymous with being a physician. As a matter of fact, the title was first used by folks holding doctorates (e.g., doctors of the church and other academics) before eventually being used by medical doctors. The word comes from "docere" (to teach). The MD degree is considered

to be an undergraduate degree (even though it is a professional degree that is typically conferred after one obtains another bachelor's degree). For example, the MD degree in many other countries is the MBBS (BACHELOR of medicine). During the protocol of convocations, medical

school graduates walk with the undergraduate class. Doctors (e.g., those holding a PhD etc.) walk in a separate convocation. The highest degree that a university can confer is a PhD (although in Britain, you can obtain a DSc, which is a degree granted to folks already holding a

PhD). That a PhD should be referred to as "Doctor" is not up for discussion. They are the real doctors from a title perspective. Now: The vast majority of people never or seldom meet PhDs therefore 'doctor' has become synonymous with a physician. This does not imply that

that doctor = medical practitioner and all other doctors are merely "pompous." Medical students are trained by doctors PhDs). A PhD in gender studies is a doctor (and you know how I feel about that discipline). A PhD in physics is a doctor. A PhD in theology is

a doctor (and you know how I feel about religion). Whether you are a doctor or not (as a PhD) DOES NOT depend on whether you use a bunsen burner or you study Chaucer. It is the highest TITLE of academia. To the imbeciles who argue that it is silly for a PhD travelling on a

plane to refer to themselves as "doctor" because bruh heart attack, you are truly lobotomized. Of course, if you are suffering from a heart attack, a neuroscientist (PhD) is of no use but this does not mean that he/she is any less of a doctor. Physicians USURPED

that title. BTW, in Britain, after you become a surgeon, you change your title from Dr. to Mr. So again, that @DrBiden has an Ed.D. (a degree considered less prestigious than a PhD) does not imply that she is not a doctor. Now, if you notice, I did not put my title in my

Twitter handle because I don't need to repeatedly advertise to the world what my title is. Some professors like to be called by their first names. As do some physicians. This is a matter of personal taste. But again, there is nothing proprietary about the doctor title for

physicians. When it comes to curing illness, they are indispensable. When it comes to creating human knowledge, not so much. Be respectful and address people properly unless they tell you otherwise.
- Prof. Dr. Gad Saad, BSc, MBA, MS, PhD, the real doctor

[I'm only weighing in on this matter for the benefit of the confused people. The issue is not up for debate. It was resolved 600+ years ago when the title of doctor became widespread.]