You Belong at the Table, but Bring Your Own Chair: A Panel Discussion on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in the Healthcare Industry (139H)

Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon that poses a barrier to professional growth, confidence and well-being in the healthcare community. A recent systematic review assessing the prevalence of imposter syndrome revealed rates as high as 56% to 82% among graduate students, college students, nurses, medical students and various other professions. Because imposter syndrome results in feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and distress, it is a vital issue for us to examine in our healthcare systems.

The purpose of this session is to empower the audience to reflect on the existence of imposter syndrome in their professional lives, and to discover actionable methods to overcome it. The session will open with panel introductions and the purpose of the session, followed by a summary of research about imposter syndrome within the healthcare industry, including prevalence, causes and impact. The moderator will introduce an innovative five-step process to overcome imposter syndrome, using evidence-based methods to uncover opportunities to unlock potential and engaging in behaviors that reduce imposter syndrome within their professional lives and prevent perpetuation throughout healthcare organizations. As each step is introduced, the panel will have an open discussion about their experiences by providing personal and professional examples of imposter syndrome. The audience will be introduced to tools to work through the five-step process, leaving attendees with approaches to overcome imposter syndrome and reduce its perpetuation. The session concludes with Q&A.