I think on this particular example, the focus was less on the medical doctor aspect and more on the PhD. The woman has achieved the pinnacle of institutional knowledge in her field by fostering her intellect while dog breath across the table talks down to her about muscly podcast man who told everyone to take horse dewormer for COVID.

I agree using “doctor” as an indicator of intellect can fall short, I think that is tangential to the point her husband was making. Also, good husband stepping up to bat when the coworker starts mansplaining to his wife…