Self-doubt versus Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome definitely hit me as a new physician. At 28 I was responsible for a life or several lives as I was a black cloud when I was on call. It took approximately two months or so to gain confidence. I never felt like I didn’t belong, but I sure did feel as if the patient would see right through me. Fast forward to my first year as an attending…I had no senior resident or attending with whom to bounce ideas around. I did have a well-seasoned internist down the hall, and that was great, but I was 100% responsible. I remember an old family doc during medical school tell me I would learn the most during my first year as a resident and first year as an attending, and boy was he right. I believe he is still practicing in Atchison, KS.

It took about 18 months for the imposter syndrome as an attending to wear off

I cannot remember any moments of complete self doubt at this point in time, but I know that they have happened. And I don’t mean second guessing.

I am thankful to Dr. Shannon, MD, MPH for again contributing to the podcast.

“Dr. Diane Shannon is a physician who transitioned to health care writing after experiencing professional burnout 25 years ago. Co-author of Preventing Physician Burnout: Curing the Chaos and Returning Joy to the Practice of Medicine and a certified coach, she now helps physicians create lives that work.

Find her at www.dianeshannon.com or www.linkedin.com/in/dianewshannon.”