Impostor Phenomenon and Impact on Women Surgeons: A Canadian Cross-Sectional Survey.

Abstract

This project aims to characterize the extent and nature of IP among women surgeons in Canada. Impostor Phenomenon (IP) is well documented among medical professionals and trainees. It is known to have significant impacts on mental health and career trajectory. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of self-identifying women who have completed a surgical residency and currently or most recently practiced in Canada. Among 387 respondents, 98.7% have experienced IP. Median IP score corresponded to frequent impostor feelings or high impostorism. Self-doubt affects most women surgeons for the first time during training. It tends to be most intense in the first 5 years of practice and lessens over time. 112 surgeons (31.5%) experience self-doubt in the OR. Due to self-doubt, 110 respondents (28.4%) preferred to work with a more experienced assistant in the OR, while 40 (10.4%) stated that they would only operate with an experienced assistant. Few surgeons take on less OR time due to self-doubt (29 (7.5%)) but 60 (16.5%) take on less complex cases due to self-doubt. A small but important number of surgeons (11 (2.8%)) had given up operating altogether due to self-doubt. Due to feelings of self-doubt, 107 (21.4%) were hesitant to take on a leadership role in the workplace. IP is a nearly universal experience among women surgeons and is influential in their professional lives. This study contributes to scientific knowledge that can advance gender equity in medicine and leadership.