The prevalence of imposter syndrome and associated factors in Chinese medical students and residents: A single-center pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

Here we aimed to define the prevalence of imposter syndrome (IS) and identify associated characteristics in Chinese medical students and residents enrolled at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH).

Methods

This was a single-center, cross-sectional study of medical students and residents enrolled at PUMCH conducted in September and October 2022. Participants were recruited to complete a 37-question survey on demographics, a Chinese version of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and self-assessments of anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep quality, challenges of clinical learning, and time allocation. IS prevalence and its associated factors were analyzed.

Results

One hundred and forty-eight medical students and 89 residents completed the survey. IS was significant or severe in 62.8% of medical students and 57.2% of residents. Students enrolled in the eight-year program had significantly higher CIPS scores than those enrolled in the 4 + 4 program (66.4 vs. 60.7, p = .005). There were no gender differences in IS prevalence and severity. Participants with severe IS had significantly higher self-rated anxiety, depression, insomnia, and burnout than participants with mild/moderate IS. Participants significantly challenged by clinical learning had significantly higher CIPS scores.

Conclusions

IS is both prevalent and severe in Chinese medical students and residents. Classroom learning, an eight-year program, and being challenged by clinical learning are potentially associated with IS.

Keywords:

• Anxiety
• depression
• burnout
• imposter syndrome
• medical student
• resident

Discloure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Glossary

Imposter syndrome (IS), or imposter phenomenon: Describes a psychological state of inadequacy, dismissal of one’s own achievements, and the belief that one will eventually be exposed as an imposter of success.

Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS): Is the most commonly used evaluation tool for imposter syndrome, which is created by Clance in 1985 and consists of 20 multiple choice questions to assess the individual’s fear of failure and negative feedback, feeling of inadequacy, and fear of not living up to other’s expectations.

Author contributions

Yang Jiao and Xiaoming Huang designed the study. Jingqiao Wang and Wen Shi analyzed the data and wrote the initial draft of the manuscript. Yang Jiao critically appraised and revised the overall content of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Medical Education Quality Project 2022, Peking Union Medical College (2022zlgc0109) and CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021-I2M-1-062). The funding body played no role in the design of the study, the collection, analysis, and manuscript writing.

Notes on contributors

Jingqiao Wang

Jingqiao Wang, MD candidate (Bachelor Degree), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Wen Shi

Wen Shi, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Xiaoming Huang

Xiaoming Huang, MD, Department of General Practice (General Internal Medicine), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Yang Jiao

Yang Jiao, MD, MPH, Department of General Practice (General Internal Medicine), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.