TY - JOUR
T1 - Imposter Phenomenon in US Physicians Relative to the US Working Population
AU - Shanafelt, Tait D.
AU - Dyrbye, Lotte N.
AU - Sinsky, Christine
AU - Trockel, Mickey
AU - Makowski, Maryam S.
AU - Tutty, Michael
AU - Wang, Hanhan
AU - Carlasare, Lindsey E.
AU - West, Colin P.
N1 - Funding Information:
Grant Support: Funding for this study was provided by Stanford WellMD Center, the American Medical Association, and the Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine Program on Physician Well-being.
Funding Information:
Dr Carlasare is employed by the American Medical Association, Dr Trockle is a consultant with Mavin Behavioral Health Inc., Dr Tutty is a Board Member for Emergence Healthcare group, Drs Dyrbye and Shanafelt are co-inventors of the Well-being Index instruments (Physician Well-being Index, Nurse Well-being Index, Medical Student Well-being Index, the Well-being Index). Mayo Clinic holds the copyright for these instruments and has licensed them for use outside of Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic pays Drs Shanafelt and Dyrbye a portion of any royalties received. Dr Shanafelt is co-inventor of the Participatory Management Leadership Index. Mayo Clinic holds the copyright for this instrument and has licensed it for use outside of Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic pays Dr Shanafelt a portion of any royalties received. Drs Shanafelt and Dyrbye report receiving honoraria for presentations and provide advising for health care organizations. Dr Dyrbye reports receiving funding support from the National Science Foundation,all other authors declare no competing interest.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
PY - 2022/11
Y1 - 2022/11
N2 - Objective: To determine the prevalence of imposter phenomenon (IP) experiences among physicians and evaluate their relationship to personal and professional characteristics, professional fulfillment, burnout, and suicidal ideation. Participants and Methods: Between November 20, 2020, and February 16, 2021, we surveyed US physicians and a probability-based sample of the US working population. Imposter phenomenon was measured using a 4-item version of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale. Burnout and professional fulfillment were measured using standardized instruments. Results: Among the 3237 physician responders invited to complete the subsurvey including the IP scale, 3116 completed the IP questions. Between 4% (133) and 10% (308) of the 3116 physicians endorsed each of the 4 IP items as a “very true” characterization of their experience. Relative to those with a low IP score, the odds ratio for burnout among those with moderate, frequent, and intense IP was 1.28 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.58), 1.79 (95% CI, 1.38 to 2.32), and 2.13 (95% CI, 1.43 to 3.19), respectively. A similar association between IP and suicidal ideation was observed. On multivariable analysis, physicians endorsed greater intensity of IP than workers in other fields in response to the item, “I am disappointed at times in my present accomplishments and think I should have accomplished more.” Conclusion: Imposter phenomenon experiences are common among US physicians, and physicians have more frequent experiences of disappointment in accomplishments than workers in other fields. Imposter phenomenon experiences are associated with increased burnout and suicidal ideation and lower professional fulfillment. Systematic efforts to address the professional norms and perfectionistic attitudes that contribute to this phenomenon are necessary.
AB - Objective: To determine the prevalence of imposter phenomenon (IP) experiences among physicians and evaluate their relationship to personal and professional characteristics, professional fulfillment, burnout, and suicidal ideation. Participants and Methods: Between November 20, 2020, and February 16, 2021, we surveyed US physicians and a probability-based sample of the US working population. Imposter phenomenon was measured using a 4-item version of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale. Burnout and professional fulfillment were measured using standardized instruments. Results: Among the 3237 physician responders invited to complete the subsurvey including the IP scale, 3116 completed the IP questions. Between 4% (133) and 10% (308) of the 3116 physicians endorsed each of the 4 IP items as a “very true” characterization of their experience. Relative to those with a low IP score, the odds ratio for burnout among those with moderate, frequent, and intense IP was 1.28 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.58), 1.79 (95% CI, 1.38 to 2.32), and 2.13 (95% CI, 1.43 to 3.19), respectively. A similar association between IP and suicidal ideation was observed. On multivariable analysis, physicians endorsed greater intensity of IP than workers in other fields in response to the item, “I am disappointed at times in my present accomplishments and think I should have accomplished more.” Conclusion: Imposter phenomenon experiences are common among US physicians, and physicians have more frequent experiences of disappointment in accomplishments than workers in other fields. Imposter phenomenon experiences are associated with increased burnout and suicidal ideation and lower professional fulfillment. Systematic efforts to address the professional norms and perfectionistic attitudes that contribute to this phenomenon are necessary.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.mayocp.2022.06.021
DO - 10.1016/j.mayocp.2022.06.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 36116974
AN - SCOPUS:85140484611
SN - 0025-6196
VL - 97
SP - 1981
EP - 1993
JO - Mayo Clinic proceedings
JF - Mayo Clinic proceedings
IS - 11
ER -