Dealing With Imposter Syndrome in Medicine

Medicine attracts high achievers, but even the most capable doctors can feel like they don’t belong.

In this episode we explore imposter syndrome; the persistent feeling that you’re not good enough, that you don’t deserve to be where you are, or that someone will eventually “find you out.”

You’ll hear from three doctors at very different stages of their careers:

• Dr Thelma Boshoff, a PGY3 Rural Generalism trainee with RACGP who came to medicine as a mature-age student after a career in physiotherapy.

• Dr Will Hardy, an ACRRM trainee pursuing Rural Generalism, based in Bairnsdale.

• A/Prof Rob Dawson, a recently retired Anaesthetist and Director of the Gippsland Regional Training Hub, Monash Rural Health.

Dr Boshoff shares a deeply personal story of how imposter syndrome during internship became so overwhelming she nearly left medicine altogether, before the encouragement of a mentor helped her return and continue her career.

The doctors discuss:

• Why imposter syndrome is common in medicine

• How perfectionism and hierarchy can reinforce self-doubt

• The role of mentors, peers and support networks

• Why self-reflection is a key clinical skill

• The importance of having a life outside medicine

For more information about the study and training opportunities across regional Victoria, head to the Monash Rural Health website.

The North West Victoria and Gippsland Regional Training Hubs have commissioned this podcast to help medical students and junior doctors learn more about training and practising medicine in regional Australia. Find your nearest Regional Training Hub here.