How should you address the doctor in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, addressing the doctor as "Dr." followed by their last name is the most appropriate form of address. This convention maintains a level of professionalism and respect, which is essential in healthcare environments. Using "Dr." acknowledges their qualifications and the authority they hold in their field, while the last name adds formality.

Addressing the doctor by their first name, while it may be common in more casual contexts, can come across as overly familiar and disrespectful in a professional setting. Saying simply "Doctor" might sound incomplete or informal, lacking the specificity and formality of using their title along with their surname. Using their full name, although accurate, is generally considered overly formal and can create distance in the communication, which is not usually preferred in routine interactions.

Thus, addressing the doctor as "Dr. [Last Name]" strikes the right balance of professionalism and respect, making it the preferred choice in most healthcare and optometric settings.