Prevalence of Imposter Syndrome Among Medical Students of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating A Trending and Pragmatic Topic: we no Longer Have to Live in Pluralistic Ignorance

Syed Fawad Mashhadi; Nazish Khan; Rana Abdullah Khalid; Hubab Raza; Ateeq Ul Hassan; Muhammad Fahad Younas

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v72iSUPPL-4.9681

Authors

Syed Fawad Mashhadi Army Medical College/National University of Medical Science(NUMS)Rawalpindi Pakistan
Nazish Khan Army Medical College/National University of Medical Science(NUMS)Rawalpindi Pakistan
Rana Abdullah Khalid Army Medical College/National University of Medical Science(NUMS)Rawalpindi Pakistan
Hubab Raza Army Medical College/National University of Medical Science(NUMS)Rawalpindi Pakistan
Ateeq Ul Hassan Army Medical College/National University of Medical Science(NUMS)Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muhammad Fahad Younas Army Medical College/National University of Medical Science(NUMS)Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v72iSUPPL-4.9681

Keywords:

Burnout, Imposter Syndrome, Medical Students

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Imposter syndrome among medical students and to assess its association with
various sociodemographic factors.

Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study.

Replace and During of Study: Public and Private Medical Colleges of Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Lahore Pakistan, from Nov 2021-Apr 2022.

Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in Public and Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Lahore Pakistan, from Nov 2021 to Apr 2022. Three hundred ninety-nine eligible MBBS/ BDS students were enrolled through non probability convenience sampling. Data was collected Online through a 20 item Clance questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS Version-25. Qualitative variables were expressed as frequency and percentages and quantitative variables as mean and S.D. Chi-square test was applied.

Results: Out of 399 participants, 254(63.6%) were males and 145(36.3%) were females. Majority of the participants (71.4%) were in age range of 20-22 years. Three hundred and sixty-two (90.7%) participants were students of MBBS, while 37(9.3%)studied in BDS. Two hundred fifty (62.65%) participants suffered from imposter syndrome which showed a positive association with gender (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), year of Study (p<0.001) and academic performance in class (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Imposter syndrome is quite prevalent among the high achieving medical students and is associated with various sociodemographic variables. Further in-depth research is needed to confirm its association with mental health issues and its adverse effects on the normal functioning of individuals.