Purpose: To determine 1) prevalence of Impostor Syndrome (IS) in a medical education cohort; 2) if a reflective interactive educational workshop can improve perceptions and knowledge regarding IS.
Background: In academic medicine, IS characterized by self-doubt and internalized fear correlates with burnout, decreased performance, health, and psychological defects.
Methods: At educational workshops from June 2019 to February 2021; participants completed IS self-identification surveys; participated in interactive and video-based presentations; reflected in group discussions to deliberate on corrective strategies for imposter syndrome and completed pre and post intervention knowledge, perception, and behavior-based surveys.
Results: Of 198 participants, there were 78% females and 23% males; 19% residents, 10% medical students, 30% faculty and 41% coordinators. Overall, 57% were positive for IS. For the imposter subtypes, participants classified as: Super-person = 31%; Expert =42%; Soloist = 34%; Natural Genius = 21%, and Perfectionist = 25%. Identified contributors of IS included: parent expectations = 72%, female gender = 58%, academic rat race = 37%; first generation to college = 36%; career change =35%; mental health concerns = 33%; minority status = 23% and unsupportive workplace = 20%. Pre and post intervention IS knowledge survey scores were 4.94(SEM=0.31) versus 5.78(0.18), p=0.01. Participants with IS had increased perceptions of IS as a cause of stress, failure to reach full potential, and negative relationships/teamwork (p< 0.001).
Discussions: IS was common in this medical education cohort. Those with IS significantly demonstrated increased awareness of associated negative personal effects of IS. An interactive educational workshop increased participants’ knowledge and perceptions regarding Impostor Syndrome.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2022, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Osteopathic Faculty, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, GME, UME, Assessment, Advocacy,
Dotun Ogunyemi, MD, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center; Tommy Lee, MD; Melissa Ma; Ashley Osuma; Mason Eghbali; Claudin Gomez, MD
