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Imposter Syndrome and your Surgical Career.

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Updated: Mar 7, 2023

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome occurs in about 70% of high achievers, such as doctors and surgeons. It is characterised by negative thinking, self-doubt, and self-sabotage and as a result can disrupt professional performance and induce anxiety and depression.


Imposter Syndrome is a psychological occurrence, not a disease, first described in 1978.

It may be defined as the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills. It may result in feeling like a fraud.


How is it diagnosed?

Imposter Syndrome most often comes to light in mentoring doctors presenting with high level burnout since the personality traits of perfectionism and neuroticism co-exist for both psychological, occupational entities. When assessing a mentee for burnout it is essential to check whether there is evidence of self-doubt and negative talk suggestive of Imposter Syndrome and if there is then applying the on-line Clance’s Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS).


How is it managed?

Strategies to cope with imposter feelings include;

  • Talking about what they are experiencing

  • Questioning their negative thoughts

  • Avoiding comparing themselves to others.

  • Stay focused on measuring their own achievements, instead of comparing themselves to others


How can Mentoring help overcome Imposter Syndrome


Mentoring Medics offers an expert service to diagnose Imposter Syndrome and to lessen the burden of the psychological consequences of the syndrome through emphasising positive psychology, focusing on past academic success , steering individuals away from comparing themselves to others and to provide affirmation on a regular basis.


Prevalence, Predictors and treatment of Imposter Syndrome.

D M Bravata 2020:https://www.mentalhealthjournal.org




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Mr Tim Terry

Surgeon (rtd), Educator, Mentor

BSc (hons), MBBS, MRCS, LRCP, FRCS, MS, PG dip Med.Ed

 

Over 45 years experience within the NHS, Education and Private Medical Practice


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