Breaking the Cycle: A Qualitative Study of Factors That Mitigate Impostor Phenomenon Among Internal Medicine Residents.

Abstract

Background Impostor phenomenon (IP) describes feelings of inadequacy often experienced by individuals struggling to internalize success despite evidence to the contrary. IP is common in medicine and can be experienced as a cycle following exposure to an achievement-focused task, leading to fear of being found out as an impostor. Prior research describes IP characteristics, yet few studies have identified factors that mitigate IP among medical residents. Objective To understand factors that moderate IP among internal medicine (IM) residents. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using one-on-one semistructured interviews with 28 IM residents at a single academic health center from May to June 2020. To ascertain the prevalence of IP, informants completed a 20-item Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) questionnaire. Using a constructivist thematic approach investigators independently coded transcripts to identify factors mitigating IP. Results Twenty-eight of 53 (53%) eligible residents participated in the study. Most informants were female (21 of 28, 75%) and in their second postgraduate year of training (12 of 28, 43%). The mean CIPS score was 63. When faced with an achievement-focused task, informants describe feelings of inadequacy, avoidance behaviors, distortion of feedback, and attribution beliefs. Internal factors found to moderate IP include (1) reframing attribution beliefs; (2) accepting feedback; and (3) acknowledging strengths. External factors include (1) mentors, coaches, and role models; (2) formal opportunities to share IP experiences; and (3) growth-oriented learning environments. Conclusions This qualitative study describes internal and external factors that potentially mitigate impostor feelings, thereby interrupting the cyclical nature of IP among IM residents.