Permit me to suggest the reading of a relatively short book written in 1945 by Carroll Atkinson, Ph.D. It may provide new information and insight for some, on this topic of whether "Ph.D." should be used inside and outside of academic settings. It provides a history of the "doctorate", the highest academic achievement and provokes a little discussion about whether the M.D. has more clout from a historical perspective to be called "doctor"; rather than the holder of the Ph.D. For those of you who care about what the essence of the Ph.D. is and means, you might consider it a worthwhile afternoon or evening read.