EM Leaders: Imposter Syndrome

Module Two: Imposter Syndrome

Medicine is, sadly, a competitive sport. When applying to medical school, we have to make sure that we have the best grades. When there, we need to excel to ensure we get the post-graduate rotation we really want and we may then have to compete by exam, portfolio and interview to ensure we can obtain the speciality post we really want. Along the way, it is common to focus on other’s achievements and strengths rather than our own and feel insecure that we haven’t achieved enough or aren’t good enough ourselves. Not believing that you are as competent as you are perceived by others is called imposter syndrome. You can read more about it in the following blog:

The truth is, whenever we compare ourselves to others, we will always come out either better or worse as no two people are the same. Read about the problems of comparing ourselves to others and how comparing ourselves to ourselves may be a more meaningful path to self-development:

EM Leaders Framework reference: (3.1) EM Leadership skills: Becoming Self-Aware; The Power of Reflection.

Queries, questions and comments are always gratefully received. Please send feedback to: kate.russ@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

HEEM EM Leaders Team: Kate Russ, Liz Saunders, Frank Coffey, Venkat Kotamraju