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Wang J, Shi W, Huang X, Jiao Y. The prevalence of imposter syndrome and associated factors in Chinese medical students and residents: A single-center pilot study. MEDICAL TEACHER 2024; 46:380-386. [PMID: 37722837 DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2023.2256955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Here we aimed to define the prevalence of imposter syndrome (IS) and identify associated characteristics in Chinese medical students and residents enrolled at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). METHODS This was a single-center, cross-sectional study of medical students and residents enrolled at PUMCH conducted in September and October 2022. Participants were recruited to complete a 37-question survey on demographics, a Chinese version of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and self-assessments of anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep quality, challenges of clinical learning, and time allocation. IS prevalence and its associated factors were analyzed. RESULTS One hundred and forty-eight medical students and 89 residents completed the survey. IS was significant or severe in 62.8% of medical students and 57.2% of residents. Students enrolled in the eight-year program had significantly higher CIPS scores than those enrolled in the 4 + 4 program (66.4 vs. 60.7, p = .005). There were no gender differences in IS prevalence and severity. Participants with severe IS had significantly higher self-rated anxiety, depression, insomnia, and burnout than participants with mild/moderate IS. Participants significantly challenged by clinical learning had significantly higher CIPS scores. CONCLUSIONS IS is both prevalent and severe in Chinese medical students and residents. Classroom learning, an eight-year program, and being challenged by clinical learning are potentially associated with IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqiao Wang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China MD program
| | - Wen Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoming Huang
- Department of General Practice (General Internal Medicine), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Department of General Practice (General Internal Medicine), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Shinawatra P, Kasirawat C, Khunanon P, Boonchan S, Sangla S, Maneeton B, Maneeton N, Kawilapat S. Exploring Factors Affecting Impostor Syndrome among Undergraduate Clinical Medical Students at Chiang Mai University, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:976. [PMID: 38131833 PMCID: PMC10740738 DOI: 10.3390/bs13120976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Impostor syndrome is a psychological condition that inhibits individuals' ability to recognize their achievements such that they fear being exposed as forgers. It is common in medical students, particularly in the early stages of clerkship training while transitioning from preclinical to clinical training. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of the imposter phenomenon among medical clinical students using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), focusing on sociodemographic characteristics, mental health status, and occurrence of the impostor phenomenon. Out of 228 undergraduate clinical-year medical students, 108 (47.4%) reported experiencing the impostor phenomenon. The results from the multivariable analysis showed that high levels of stress (adjusted odds ratio = 2.315; 95% confidence interval = 1.105-4.853), anxiety (6.462; 1.374-30.392), and depression (4.219; 1.448-12.290) were significantly associated with an increased risk of experiencing the impostor phenomenon. We found no difference between participants in the early or later years of clerkship training. The study highlights the prevalence of impostor syndrome among medical students and its link to mental health issues. Addressing this issue through education, mentorship, systemic problem solving, normalizing failure, and monitoring and treating mental health issues could help students reach and realize their full educational and professional potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purichaya Shinawatra
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.S.); (C.K.); (P.K.); (S.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Chayada Kasirawat
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.S.); (C.K.); (P.K.); (S.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Phichittra Khunanon
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.S.); (C.K.); (P.K.); (S.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Sorrathorn Boonchan
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.S.); (C.K.); (P.K.); (S.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Siripit Sangla
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (P.S.); (C.K.); (P.K.); (S.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Benchalak Maneeton
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.K.)
| | - Narong Maneeton
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.K.)
| | - Suttipong Kawilapat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.K.)
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Elnaggar M, Alanazi T, Alsayer NA, Alrawili M, Alanazi R, Alghamdi R, Alrwili R. Prevalence and Predictor of Impostor Phenomenon Among Medical Students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e48866. [PMID: 38106704 PMCID: PMC10724504 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The impostor phenomenon (IP) was defined in 1978 as an "internal feeling of intellectual phoniness felt by people with outstanding academic and professional achievements." This study aims to estimate the prevalence and predictors of IP among medical students. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023. A total of 200 medical students from years one to five participated in the survey; the response rate was 82.5% (165). A stratified random sampling technique was used to select groups of male and female Jouf University medical students from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th batches of the 2022 to 2023 academic year. An e-mail with a self-administered questionnaire comprising the Clance IP scale and a consent form was sent to all participants. The identities of the students were kept anonymous to eliminate response bias. Participation was voluntary. Data were presented in terms of numbers and percentages; a chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables; and multivariable analysis was used to determine predictors of IP using SPSS Statistics version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS A total of 165 students responded to the questionnaire, with a response rate of 82.531%; 47.30% were males, and 86 (52.10%) were females. The findings indicate that 12 (7.3%), 83 (50.30%), 59 (35.80%), and 11 (6.70%) medical students, respectively, suffered from few, moderate, frequent, and intense imposter features. Results also showed that 13 (56.50%) first-year students suffered from moderate IP experiences, and 10 (43.50%) had frequent IP experiences. It was observed that for students in the first year, the academic performance represented by a student's grade point average (GPA), monthly family income, father's educational level, mother's educational level, and marital status are predictors of impostor experience. CONCLUSION The study's findings show that impostor syndrome is a common problem among medical students and that being in the first year of medical school can increase the incidence of suffering from it. The problem-based learning system in medical school can contribute to impostor syndrome among medical students. Both low-achieving and high-achieving students suffer from impostorism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Elnaggar
- Medical Education, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
- Medical Education, College of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EGY
| | - Taif Alanazi
- Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
| | - Norah A Alsayer
- Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
| | - Maram Alrawili
- Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
| | - Rahaf Alanazi
- Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
| | - Ranyah Alghamdi
- Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
| | - Roond Alrwili
- Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, SAU
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Iwai Y, Yu AYL, Thomas SM, Fayanju OA, Sudan R, Bynum DL, Fayanju OM. Leadership and Impostor Syndrome in Surgery. J Am Coll Surg 2023; 237:585-595. [PMID: 37350479 PMCID: PMC10846669 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impostor syndrome is an internalized sense of incompetence and not belonging. We examined associations between impostor syndrome and holding leadership positions in medicine. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional survey was distributed to US physicians from June 2021 to December 2021 through medical schools and professional organizations. Differences were tested with the chi-square test and t -test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with holding leadership positions and experiencing impostor syndrome. RESULTS A total of 2,183 attending and retired physicians were included in the analytic cohort; 1,471 (67.4%) were in leadership roles and 712 (32.6%) were not. After adjustment, male physicians were more likely than women to hold leadership positions (odds ratio 1.4; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.69; p < 0.001). Non-US citizens (permanent resident or visa holder) were less likely to hold leadership positions than US citizens (odds ratio 0.3; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.55; p < 0.001). Having a leadership position was associated with lower odds of impostor syndrome (odds ratio 0.54; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.68; p < 0.001). Female surgeons were more likely to report impostor syndrome compared to male surgeons (90.0% vs 67.7%; p < 0.001), an association that persisted even when female surgeons held leadership roles. Similar trends were appreciated for female and male nonsurgeons. Impostor syndrome rates did not differ by race and ethnicity, including among those underrepresented in medicine, even after adjustment for gender and leadership role. CONCLUSIONS Female physicians were more likely to experience impostor syndrome than men, regardless of specialty or leadership role. Although several identity-based gaps persist in leadership, impostor syndrome among racially minoritized groups may not be a significant contributor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiko Iwai
- From the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC (Iwai)
| | - Alice Yunzi L Yu
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (Yu)
| | - Samantha M Thomas
- Duke Cancer Institute (Thomas), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Departments of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (Thomas), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Oluseyi A Fayanju
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (QA Fayanju)
| | - Ranjan Sudan
- Surgery (Sudan), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Debra L Bynum
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC (Bynum)
| | - Oluwadamilola M Fayanju
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine (OM Fayanju), The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation (PC3I) (OM Fayanju), The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI) (OM Fayanju), The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Rena Rowan Breast Center, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA (OM Fayanju)
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Blake H, Brewer A, Chouliara N. "We're Not Going to Be as Prepared": A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Trainees' Experiences after One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4255. [PMID: 36901267 PMCID: PMC10002117 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on the mental health and academic experiences of healthcare trainees. Building on findings from earlier in the pandemic, we explore the impacts on healthcare trainees after a sustained pandemic period of 12-14 months, involving multiple lockdowns, changes in government COVID-19 regulations and the delivery of health education. A qualitative study was conducted between March-May 2021. Participants were 12 healthcare trainees (10 women, 2 men) of medicine, nursing, and midwifery, registered at one of three higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Interviews were fully transcribed, and data were thematically analysed using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches. We identified three key themes with eight subthemes: (i) academic experiences (adjustment to online learning, loss of clinical experience, confidence in the university), (ii) impacts on wellbeing (psychosocial impacts, physical impacts, pandemic duration and multiple lockdowns), and (iii) support frameworks (university preparedness for increased student support needs, importance of relationship with academic tutors). Findings shed light on the long-lasting and emerging impacts of the pandemic over time. We identify support needs for trainees both during their academic studies, and as they move forwards into professional roles within the healthcare workforce. Recommendations are made for higher education institutions and healthcare employers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Blake
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alex Brewer
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UK, UK
| | - Niki Chouliara
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UK, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, Nottingham NG7 2TU, UK
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Balanoff C, Fatunmbi A, Aarons C, Protyniak B, Joshi A, Woelfel I, Hoffman R. Relationship Between Gender, Training Level and Goal Orientation Achievement Motivation: Implications for Learners and Faculty. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2022; 79:e38-e47. [PMID: 35934618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Achievement goal orientation (GO) theory describes Mastery (M), one's intrinsic drive for competency for the sake of competency, and performance approach (PAP), a drive for competency by displaying competency, which are both adaptive. In learners motivated by performance avoid (PAV), showing competency by avoiding appearing incompetent dominates (maladaptive). The aim of this study was to determine differences in GO by gender and training (PGY) level. METHODS A prospective, multi-institutional cohort of general surgery trainees participated in a cross-sectional study (2020-2021). Participants completed a 10-item instrument (the Goal Orientation in Surgical Trainees, GO-ST) measured on a 5-pointLikert scale (1 = never,3 = weekly,5 = daily). Student's t-tests and ANOVA F-test were used as appropriate. RESULTS A total of 144/164 trainees participated (87.8%). The sample was 40.0%(n = 56) female and 57.9%(n = 81) male; 21.3%(n = 30) were PGY1, 22.0%(n = 31) PGY2, 24.8%(n = 35) PGY3, 18.4%(n = 26) PGY4, 13.5%(n = 19) PGY5. There were no significant differences in mean scale scores by gender for Mastery (3.3 vs 3.5; p = 0.17), or PAP (3.7 vs 3.5; p = 0.10), but mean PAV scores were significantly higher for females (3.6 vs 3.3; p = 0.04). While there were no significant differences in mean Mastery and PAP scale scores by training level (p = 0.44; p = 0.31), there was a significant difference in PAV scores (p < 0.01). The frequency of PAV feelings decreased over 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Only PAV motivation differed by gender and training level. Understanding the psychology of motivation with this framework can aid both residents and programs in re-focusing on more adaptive learning strategies and supporting trainees in their transition to master surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cary Aarons
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Bogdan Protyniak
- Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
| | - Anip Joshi
- Bir Hospital, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahaboudha, Kathmandu, Nepal
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