Miss, Mister, Doctor: My surgeon's name is...

Some of the most famous British surgeons have been neither ‘Dr’ nor ‘Mr’. For example, Lord Lister and Lord Moynihan. After the Second World War, the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of England consisted of one Lord (Webb-Johnson), and no less than 12 Sirs.¹ Even perhaps the most colourful and unforgettable fictional British surgeon was called Sir Lancelot Spratt!² The patients of all these surgeons were in no doubt as to whom their surgeon was despite the variations in their titles. This variation in surgeons' titles continues today and also includes military surgeons, where service and rank determines title (e.g. Surgeon Rear Admiral).

When meeting people and introducing ourselves in a professional setting, we explain who we are and what our role is by way of basic communication. After this initial contact, whether you have identified yourself as a Dr/Mr/Prof/Sir/Lord or by military rank will make little difference to your patient once they feel secure under your care. Your title is unlikely to appear above the head of their bed, as their name board will usually read ‘Consultant-Spratt’ or even ‘Consultant—LS’.

A title is an honour bestowed upon you, which some may choose not to use. Ibery and colleagues³ have clearly shown that one group of British surgeons would not want to drop their honorary title of Mr (Master) or the female equivalent. To do so would lose a part of British medical tradition, dating back to 1540 and King Henry VIII. A tradition and history that other surgeons around the world can only aspire to.