Imposter syndrome and burnout: a study among medical students in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, in Riyadh City

Abstract

Background: Imposter syndrome (IS), characterized by an inability to internalize achievements despite objective success, leads to persistent selfdoubt and apprehension about revealing one's true capabilities. This study investigates the prevalence of burnout and IS and explores their interrelation among medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, KSAU-HS. The study encompassed a total of 1,000 medical students, with a sample size of 278 male and female students spanning the third to sixth years. Data was collected via selfadministered online questionnaires and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program. The data was presented in terms of frequency and percentages. Results: Among the enrolled participants (n = 270), 203 (75.2%) were male, and the average age was 22.6 ± 11.6 years. The majority of participants, 221 (81.9%), were nonsmokers. The prevalence of IS within the study cohort was 128 (47.4%), while the prevalence of burnout risk stood at 203 (75.2%). Significantly, a noteworthy association between IS and burnout was established (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: This study underscores the considerable prevalence of IS among medical students, where nearly half of the participants experienced this phenomenon. Additionally, a substantial proportion of participants faced burnout, with over two-thirds affected. The identified connection between IS and burnout points toward the importance of addressing both issues in order to promote the overall well-being and academic success of medical students.