Surgeon’s imposter syndrome: a systematic review - Summary - MDSpire

Surgeon’s imposter syndrome: a systematic review

  • By

  • Michael El Boghdady

  • Béatrice Ewalds-Kvist

  • January 18, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To examine imposter syndrome in surgeons and address its prevalence, gender differences, and potential reduction strategies, highlighting the significance of these issues for mental health and professional performance.

Key Findings:
  • Prevalence rates of imposter syndrome among surgeons range from 9% to 82%, indicating a significant issue within the profession.
  • Surgeons experience significant mental and physical challenges associated with imposter syndrome, impacting their overall well-being.
  • Gender differences in the experience of imposter syndrome among surgeons were noted, suggesting a need for targeted interventions.
  • Imposter syndrome is linked to burnout, low self-esteem, and reduced job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue.
Interpretation:

Imposter syndrome is a prevalent issue among surgeons, affecting their mental health and professional performance, influenced by various demographic and environmental factors that warrant further investigation.

Limitations:
  • High variability in prevalence rates due to different screening tools and cutoff scores, which may affect the generalizability of findings.
  • Limited number of high-quality studies included in the review, suggesting a need for more rigorous research in this area.
  • Cross-sectional nature of studies may limit causal inferences, indicating the necessity for longitudinal studies.
Conclusion:

Imposter syndrome is a systemic issue in the surgical profession that requires attention to improve mental health and job satisfaction among surgeons, with a call for specific interventions and further research.

Original Source(s)

Surgeon’s imposter syndrome: a systematic review

  • by Michael El Boghdady, Béatrice Ewalds-Kvist

  • January 18, 2025

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