Theory: Impostor phenomenon (IP) is strongly linked to physician burnout, but the nature of this association is not well understood. A better grasp of the mechanism between these constructs could shed new light on ways to mitigate physician IP and burnout. Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT), the present study explores whether and how residents\' general causality orientations at work-impersonal, controlled, and autonomous-each moderate the effect of IP on physician burnout. Hypotheses: We theorized that the autonomous orientation would buffer the facilitative effect of IP on burnout, while the controlled and impersonal orientations would each enhance it to varying degrees. Method: Two hundred forty-three residents from the Universities of Saskatchewan, Calgary, and Alberta, across various programs, specialties, and years of training, completed a survey containing demographic questions and three previously validated instruments: the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, Causality Orientations at Work Scale, and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. We used partial correlation analyses to test our moderation hypotheses. Results: In line with what we expected, the autonomous causality orientation buffered the facilitative effect of IP on burnout, while the controlled and impersonal causality orientations each enhanced it. Conclusions: Results suggest that possessing a stronger autonomous causality orientation (and creating learning/work environments that prime it) will dampen the effect of IP on burnout, while possessing a stronger controlled or impersonal causality orientation (and creating learning/work environments that prime them) will each augment it. Findings and their implications are discussed in terms of instigating theory-informed, system-level wellness interventions in graduate medical education.

UNASSIGNED: Imposter syndrome is common among health disciplinary students, leading to serious consequences. However, the impact of imposter syndrome on self-esteem and quitting intention among respiratory therapy students has not been well researched.
UNASSIGNED: To report on the prevalence of imposter syndrome and assess its impacts on self-esteem and quitting intention among respiratory therapy students in Saudi Arabia.
UNASSIGNED: A nonprobability cross-sectional questionnaire using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was self-administered and distributed among respiratory therapy students between October 2022 and April 2023. Data analysis was performed using Descriptive and inferential statistics.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 1500 respiratory therapy students invited to participate in the study, 901 surveys were completed; and thus, included in the final analysis. Of whom, 92% were presented with imposter syndrome: 44% with moderate, 35% with frequent, and 13% with intense feelings. In addition, 60% of respiratory therapy students and interns experienced low self-esteem, while only 0.5% indicated high self-esteem. More than 50% of the study participants thought about quitting the respiratory therapy program, and 30% have been diagnosed with psychological disorders. Furthermore, there was a significant association between imposter syndrome and low self-esteem, p < 0.001. Factors associated with imposter syndrome and low self-esteem were family income (<0.005) and parents\' education (<0.005), quitting intention (<0.005), and having been diagnosed with psychological disorders (<0.005). Genders, academic levels, and grade point average were not associated with either imposter syndrome or self-esteem (>0.005).
UNASSIGNED: Imposter syndrome and low self-esteem are prevalent among respiratory therapy students, both of which are associated with considering leaving the respiratory therapy program. Effective interventions should be implemented to ameliorate the symptoms imposter syndrome and low self-esteem; thus, improving the academic experience of respiratory therapy students.

Modern measures of physician value are couched in terms of productivity, volume, finance, outcomes, cure rates, and acquisition of an increasingly vast knowledge base. This inherently feeds burnout and imposter syndrome as physicians experience an inability to measure up to unrealistic standards set externally and perceived internally. Ancient and modern wisdom suggests that where populations fail to flourish, at root is a failure to grasp a vision or true purpose. Traditional philosophical conceptions of a physician\'s purpose center around compassion, empathy, and humanism, which are a key to thwarting burnout and recovering professional satisfaction. New compassion-based metrics are urgently needed and will positively impact physician well-being and improve population health.

BACKGROUND: Imposter phenomenon can occur in highly competitive fields causing internal feelings of fraud and self-doubt. Significant imposterism has been recently reported amongst general surgery residents.
METHODS: We hypothesized that attending surgeons, navigating the transition into independent practice, would report a similar experience. We surveyed and collected Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) scores from 24 Army general surgeons within 4 years of graduation.
RESULTS: Nearly all exhibited at least moderate imposterism, and over half reported significant or intense imposterism. Women reported statistically higher scores than men. Surgeons who engaged in off-duty employment or participated in mentorship were less likely to have significant or intense imposterism.
CONCLUSIONS: Transition to practice is a challenging and highly variable time for new surgeons. Identifying factors that attenuate these feelings could help with early career advancement.

Objective: The first year of college is a time of major changes in social dynamics, raising questions about ways to promote students\' mental health. We examined longitudinal associations between students\' sense of belonging, imposter syndrome, depressive symptoms, and well-being. Participants: Fifty-eight first-year college students at a university in the United States participated in the study. Methods: Students completed questionnaires during the first 6 months of college (T1) and at the end of the academic year (T2). Results: Greater sense of social and academic belonging was correlated with lower imposter syndrome, depression, and greater well-being at T1. Accounting for T1 measures, lower imposter syndrome predicted greater well-being but not depression at T2. Accounting for T1 mental health, belonging was not a significant predictor of depression or well-being at T2. Conclusion: Increasing sense of belonging and addressing imposter syndrome early in the transition to college may be critical in promoting mental health.

Objective: Imposterism and academic self-handicapping (ASH) are related to negative outcomes in college students. We examined whether the relationship between imposterism and academic goal orientations is mediated by ASH across men and women and for students who are underrepresented on campus. Participants: Participants were 852 undergraduates (29.1% men, 26.1% first-generation, and 22.1% from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups at the predominantly white institution (PWI) where data was gathered). Methods: Participants completed self-report scales assessing imposterism, ASH, and academic goal orientation. Results: ASH partially mediated the relationship of imposterism to mastery and performance approach academic goal orientations. High imposterism was directly related to high performance-avoidance orientation. Our model was invariant to gender; while it did not appear to be invariant to underrepresented status, this was accounted for by first-generation student status. Conclusions: Results have implications for the classroom and creation of interventions to minimize ASH and imposterism and their impact on student success.

Background Imposter syndrome describes an internal experience of intellectual fraud, where individuals attribute their academic or occupational endeavors and achievements primarily to luck rather than to their diligent efforts. Additionally, the stringent standards and prerequisites set by medical institutions create an environment conducive to impostorism among medical students. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of imposter syndrome among medical students at the University of Sharjah. Methodology This research was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 400 participants enrolled in the study using non-probability convenience sampling, but 399 participants, 49.4% (197) from colleges of medicine and 50.6% (202) from dentistry, successfully completed the questionnaire. Participants completed a questionnaire containing the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale. Statistical associations between variables were tested using the chi-square test. Individuals with chronic medical conditions or those using medications with known psychiatric side effects were excluded. Results The analyzed sample comprised 399 students, with 64.7% females and 35.3% males. Most respondents were from year 2 (21.3%, 85), while the fewest were from year 5 (18.3%, 73). The majority of students fell into the categories of moderate (46.4%, 185) and frequent (35.8%, 143) imposter experiences. Among all investigated characteristics, pure academic factors such as field of study (p = 0.001), study phases (p = 0.032), advisor\'s attitude (p = 0.029), and comparison with peers\' performance and grades (p = 0.024 and <0.001, respectively) exhibited the highest significant association with the severity of imposter syndrome. Conclusions This study revealed a high prevalence of imposter syndrome among medical students, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies and interventions targeting academically associated risk factors to alleviate the burden of imposter syndrome.

UNASSIGNED: Imposter syndrome (IS), characterized by persistent doubts about one\'s abilities and fear of exposure as a fraud, is a prevalent psychological condition, particularly impacting physicians. In neurosurgery, known for its competitiveness and demands, the prevalence of IS remains high.
UNASSIGNED: Recognizing the limited literature on IS within the neurosurgical community, this European survey aimed to determine its prevalence among young neurosurgeons and identify associated factors.
UNASSIGNED: The survey, conducted by the Young Neurosurgeon Committee of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, gathered responses from 232 participants. The survey included demographics, the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Survey (CIPS), and an analysis of potential compensatory mechanisms.
UNASSIGNED: Nearly 94% of respondents exhibited signs of IS, with the majority experiencing moderate (36.21%) or frequent (40.52%) symptoms. Analyses revealed associations between IS and factors such as level of experience, sex, and board-certification.
UNASSIGNED: The findings suggest a significant prevalence of IS among young neurosurgeons, with notable associations with sex and level of experience. Compensatory mechanisms, such as working hours, article reading, and participation in events, did not show significant correlations with IS. Notably, male sex emerged as an independent protective factor against frequent/intense IS, while reading more than five articles per week was identified as a risk factor. The identification of protective and risk factors, particularly the influence of gender and reading habits, contributes valuable insights for developing targeted interventions to mitigate IS and improve the well-being of neurosurgeons.

Imposter phenomenon (IP) is the internalised experience of self-doubt or mediocracy that leads an individual to believe they do not belong. IP is increasingly recognised across the medical field, from medical school to consultancy, but likely affects different groups to varying extents. The transition in role from medical student to junior doctor can be a time of particularly high stress and insecurities about one\'s ability can act as a trigger or exacerbator of IP. Foundation doctors can arm themselves against IP by first acknowledging its existence and then actively attempting to dismantle these flawed misconceptions, as well as accessing support and resources available ubiquitously through the foundation programme.

In recent years there has been a surge of research conducted on the impostor phenomenon, with approximately half of all impostor phenomenon articles being published between 2020 and 2022 and growing interest in understanding how the impostor phenomenon affects racially and ethnically minoritized individuals. Questions around intersectionality remain about how to apply the impostor phenomenon to the experiences of minoritized individuals. In this review, we revisit the historical context of the impostor phenomenon. We address issues of nomenclature and current controversies regarding whether the impostor phenomenon (a) blames the victim, (b) should be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and (c) is beneficial for individuals. In addition, we address the limitations of current research on racially and ethnically minoritized individuals, especially women of color. Finally, we conclude by discussing the need for a reconceptualized racialized impostor phenomenon as well as the need to establish new impostor phenomenon measures, conduct more quantitative research with diverse samples, and create culturally tailored interventions.