Persistent and clinically significant impostor phenomenon in postgraduate medical trainees
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36834/45nvj205Abstract
Background: Impostor phenomenon is common among medical trainees, affecting wellness and professional development. How it varies across the academic year remains unclear.
Methods: This was a prospective repeated measures study of postgraduate medical trainees at the University of Toronto conducted between January 4, 2022 - January 30, 2024. Impostor phenomenon was measured using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). CIPS scores of 61-80 reflect clinically significant impostor phenomenon, while CIPS scores greater than 80 reflect severe impostor phenomenon. In this study, we considered 20-point differences clinically meaningful. Participants completed the CIPS every 12 weeks for 52 weeks. Mixed model regression was used to test the association between CIPS score and time of year.
Results: 110 participants (14.8% response rate) with a total of 406 CIPS scores were included in the analysis. Participants were mostly between 25-30 years old (72.7%), internal medicine trainees (45.5%), and in postgraduate year 1 or 2 (55.5%). The median CIPS score at the beginning of the academic year was 68 (IQR=17, Q1=60, Q3=77) and clinically significant CIPS scores were observed throughout the academic year with 78.6% of all CIPS scores > 60. Higher CIPS scores were documented in January, February, and May compared to the beginning of the academic year in July, but not in clinically meaningful magnitudes (January: β = 4.69, CI: 0.82, 8.55; p=0.018, February: β = 4.53, CI: 1.44, 7.63; p=0.004, May: β = 4.73, CI: 1.47, 7.99; p=0.005).
Conclusion: Postgraduate medical trainees demonstrate persistent and clinically significant impostor phenomenon throughout the academic year. Supports to address impostor phenomenon should be consistently available throughout the year.
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