Taylor Swift has accompanied surgeon Dr Andrea Merrill on every era of her medical journey — from a shy teenager to finally taking charge of the scalpel and the theatre playlist.

The US doctor has chronicled how the pop icon’s music and struggles seem to mirror her own challenges in the male-dominated field of surgery.

As she made her way through training, Dr Merrill had to tolerate the musical tastes of surgical supervisors, ranging from Broadway show tunes to classical to hip hop.

But there was no bad blood.