Gendered titles for surgeons to be phased out

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is phasing out the use of gendered titles.

For many years, surgeons in Australia have used gendered titles such as Mr and Ms. Now, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is encouraging our surgeons to use Dr or appropriate academic titles such as Professor. The aim of this phase-out is to eliminate any confusion associated with gendered titles and what they mean in the world of surgery, as well as to promote equality and inclusion in the industry.

Why were gendered titles ever used?

According to Dr Christine Lai, the Chair of the Fellowship Services Committee, surgery is the only profession that still uses gendered titles in Australia and New Zealand. The use of the term ‘Mister’ for male surgeons dates as far back as the 18^th century, but no longer has any relevance in the field of surgery today. Dr Lai explains that the gendered title gradually became attached to a certain prestige associated with being a surgeon, a notion that has continued into contemporary surgical practice.

Why is the change necessary?

While gendered titles like Mr and Ms have been used for many years, Dr Lai explains that these titles can easily contribute to an implicit bias against female surgeons. Although overt discrimination is not legally tolerated anymore, there is, unfortunately, a subtle bias that can be exacerbated and perpetuated by gendered titles. At the end of the day, all accredited surgeons are fully qualified and there is no reason to differentiate between male and female surgeons with gendered titles.

Gendered titles can also cause confusion for patients. These kinds of titles sometime create the impression that surgeons have different qualifications even when they specialise in the same field. For example, if one surgeon chooses the title Dr, while another opts for Mr, it may be unclear to the patient that these practitioners are equally qualified and skilled.

By removing gendered titles, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is furthering their commitment to improving gender equity, while building respect and demonstrating inclusion in the surgical community.

How can we help?

Associate Professor James Lee supports the phasing out of gendered titles for surgeons and is fully committed to equality and inclusion in his field. If you have any questions about the shift that is being encouraged by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and what it means, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Associate Professor James Lee treats private patients at Epworth Richmond and Knox Private Hospitals; and uninsured patients at The Alfred Hospital, Monash Medical Centre and Casey Hospital. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University.

If you have been referred for an endocrine procedure, we encourage you to get in touch. Associate Professor James Lee specialises in endocrine surgery and offers a number of treatments, including thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery.

To find out more about Associate Professor James Lee and how he can help you, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Associate Professor James Lee, please get in touch here or give us a call on (03) 9246 6466.