Imposter Syndrome Relation to Gender Across Osteopathic Medical Schools

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Imposter Syndrome (IS) is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their abilities despite success.
• Previous research indicates higher IS rates in women across professional fields.
• The prevalence and contributing factors of IS in osteopathic medical students require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of Imposter Syndrome (IS) in osteopathic medical students, analyzing differences based on gender.
• To compare the prevalence of IS with students' prior academic achievements, including Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and undergraduate science GPA.
• To identify if gender ratios within medical school classes influence IS rates.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous survey was administered to osteopathic medical students across 9 US institutions (classes of 2020-2023).
• The survey included eight questions from the Young Imposter Scale to assess IS.
• Data collected included IS status, MCAT scores, and undergraduate science GPA.

Main Results:

• Female osteopathic medical students exhibit a higher prevalence of IS compared to their male counterparts.
• IS rates were not significantly correlated with MCAT scores or undergraduate science GPA.
• The study found no association between IS prevalence and the gender ratio within medical school classes.

Conclusions:

• Imposter Syndrome is prevalent among osteopathic medical students, with higher rates observed in females.
• IS in this population is independent of academic metrics like MCAT and GPA, suggesting a need for broader awareness.
• Medical schools should address IS across their student body to mitigate potential impacts on well-being and prevent future physician burnout.