Imposter Syndrome Among Surgeons Is Associated With Intolerance of Uncertainty and Lower Confidence in Problem Solving. Issue 4 (6th April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Eugenia; Crijns, Tom J.; Ring, David; Jayakumar, Prakash
• Other Names: Cruz Miguel Pirela author non-byline.; Kraan Gerald A. author non-byline.; Muhl Philipp author non-byline.; Gilbert Richard S. author non-byline.; Siff Todd author non-byline.; Spaans Anne author non-byline.; Shafritz Adam author non-byline.; Adams Julie author non-byline.; Vochteloo Anne J.H. author non-byline.; Platz Andreas author non-byline.; Terrono Andrew L. author non-byline.; Bafus Todd author non-byline.; Bamberger H. Brent author non-byline.; Sutker Ben author non-byline.; Hearon Bernard F. author non-byline.; Braman Jonathan author non-byline.; Calfee Ryan P. author non-byline.; Ekholm Carl author non-byline.; Fernandes Carlos H. author non-byline.; Metzger Charles author non-byline.; Bainbridge Chris author non-byline.; Moreno-Serrano Constanza L. author non-byline.; Ashmead Duffield author non-byline.; Drosdowech Darren author non-byline.; McKee Desirae M. author non-byline.; Falcon Daniel author non-byline.; Polatsch Dan author non-byline.; Patterson David P. author non-byline.; Romero Barreto Camilo Jose author non-byline.; Shafi Mohamed author non-byline.; Patiño Juan M. author non-byline.; van Riet Roger author non-byline.; Raven Eric author non-byline.; Satteson Ellen author non-byline.; Walbeehm Erik T. author non-byline.; Schumer Evan D. author non-byline.; Zaidenberg Ezequiel E. author non-byline.; Suarez Fabio author non-byline.; O'Brien Fred author non-byline.; Verstreken Frederik author non-byline.; Pianka George author non-byline.; Bayne Grant author non-byline.; Fierro Guido author non-byline.; Guitton Thierry G. author non-byline.; Nancollas Michael author non-byline.; Greenberg Jeffrey A. author non-byline.; Watchmaker Greg P. author non-byline.; Lane Lewis B. author non-byline.; Hofmeister Eric P. author non-byline.; Kazanjian Jack E. author non-byline.; Brubacher Jacob W. author non-byline.; Gire Jacob author non-byline.; Tavakolian Jason D. author non-byline.; Nappi James F. author non-byline.; Erickson John M. author non-byline.; Taras John author non-byline.; Samora Julie Balch author non-byline.; Kakar Sanjeev author non-byline.; Butters Ken author non-byline.; Lee Kendrick E. author non-byline.; Rumball Kevin author non-byline.; Weiss Lawrence author non-byline.; Adolfsson Lars author non-byline.; Dwyer C. Liam author non-byline.; Naquira Escobar Luis F. author non-byline.; van der Pluijm Marco author non-byline.; Richard Marc J. author non-byline.; Calcagni Maurizio author non-byline.; McAuliffe John A. author non-byline.; Ruiz-Suarez Michell author non-byline.; Palmer Michael J. author non-byline.; Grafe Michael W. author non-byline.; Akabudike Ngozi M. author non-byline.; Hoekzema Nathan A. author non-byline.; Richardson Martin author non-byline.; Ortiz Jose A. author non-byline.; Johnson Jeff W. author non-byline.; Benhaim Prosper author non-byline.; Blazar Philip author non-byline.; Jebson Peter author non-byline.; Owens Patrick W. author non-byline.; Walbeehm Ralf author non-byline.; de Bedout Ramon author non-byline.; Shatford Russell author non-byline.; Rowinski Sergio author non-byline.; Wallensten Richard author non-byline.; Rodner Craig author non-byline.; Sabesan Vani J. author non-byline.; Kennedy Stephen A. author non-byline.; Nolan Betsy M. author non-byline.; Kronlage Steve author non-byline.; Souer Sebastiaan author non-byline.; Henry Steven L. author non-byline.; Gosens Taco author non-byline.; Baxamusa Taizoon author non-byline.; Kaplan F. Thomas D. author non-byline.; Apard Thomas author non-byline.; Willems W. Jaap author non-byline.; Hammert Warren C. author non-byline.; Waseem Mohammad author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: Clinical orthopaedics and related research. Volume 481:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 664
• Page End: 671
• Publication Date: 2023-04-06
• Subjects: Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Research -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Chirurgie orthopédique -- Périodiques; 616.7005
• DOI: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000002390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-921X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Feelings of imposter syndrome (inadequacy or incompetence) are common among physicians and are associated with diminished joy in practice. Identification of modifiable factors associated with feelings of imposter syndrome might inform strategies to ameliorate them. To this point, though, no such factors have been identified. Question/purpose: Are intolerance of uncertainty and confidence in problem-solving skills independently associated with feelings of imposter syndrome after accounting for other factors? Methods: This survey-based experiment measured the relationship between feelings of imposter syndrome, intolerance of uncertainty, and confidence in problem-solving skills among musculoskeletal specialist surgeons. Approximately 200 surgeons who actively participate in the Science of Variation Group, a collaboration of mainly orthopaedic surgeons specializing in upper extremity illnesses primarily across Europe and North America, were invited to this survey-based experiment. One hundred two surgeons completed questionnaires measuring feelings of imposter syndrome (an adaptation of the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale), tolerance of uncertainty (the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12), and confidence in problem-solving skills (the Personal Optimism and Self-Efficacy Optimism questionnaire), as well as basic demographics. The participants were characteristic of other Science of Variation Group experiments: the mean age was 52 ± 5 years, with 89% (91 of 102) being men, most self-reported White race (81% [83 of 102]), largely subspecializing in hand and/or wrist surgery (73% [74 of 102]), and with just over half of the group (54% [55 of 102]) having greater than 11 years of experience. We sought to identify factors associated with greater feelings of imposter syndrome in a multivariable statistical model. Results: Accounting for potential confounding factors such as years of experience or supervision of trainees in the multivariable linear regression analysis, greater feelings of imposter syndrome were modestly associated with higher intolerance of uncertainty (regression coefficient [β] 0.34 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.51]; p < 0.01) and with lower confidence in problem-solving skills (β -0.70 [95% CI -1.0 to -0.35]; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The finding that feelings of imposter syndrome may be modestly to notably associated with modifiable factors, such as difficulty managing uncertainty and lack of confidence in problem-solving, spark coaching opportunities to support and sustain a surgeon's mindset, which may lead to increased comfort and joy at work. Clinical Relevance: Beginning with premedical coursework and throughout medical training and continuing medical education, future studies can address the impact of learning and practicing tactics that increase comfort with uncertainty and greater confidence in problem solving on limiting feelings of imposter syndrome.