The ties that bind: what's in a title?

Area of Science:

• Medical history
• Surgical professional standards
• Gender studies in medicine

Background:

• The tradition of surgeons using 'Mister' instead of 'Doctor' persists in Australia and New Zealand, originating over 600 years ago.
• The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is actively promoting diversity and inclusion through initiatives like the 'Respect' campaign.

Observation:

• A review of historical practices and current usage of gendered titles among fellows was conducted.
• De-identified demographic data from the college register, including title, location, gender, specialty, and fellowship year, were analyzed.

Findings:

• Preference for gendered titles among surgeons (both male and female) varies significantly by geography, not surgical specialty.
• Victoria/Tasmania and New Zealand show the highest prevalence of gendered title usage (58% and 81% for males, respectively).
• In contrast, only 2% of female surgeons in other Australian states use gendered titles (Miss/Mrs/Ms).

Implications:

• Surgery remains unique in its continued use of gendered professional titles.
• Phasing out gendered titles could foster greater equity, diversity, and professional unity within surgery.
• This aligns with the College of Surgeons' broader goals of inclusivity and modernization.