Why Medical Students Suffer From Imposter Syndrome And What To Do About It

You’re not crazy if you sometimes feel like you’re the only med student struggling to keep up. Imposter syndrome – that nagging sense that you’ve somehow tricked your way into medical school and will soon be “found out” – is shockingly common among high achievers, especially medical trainees. As one review notes, around 70% of high-achievers report feeling like imposters at some point pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In other words, many of your classmates and even professors have had these doubts. This article explores what imposter syndrome is, why med school tends to fuel it, and – most importantly – how you can cope using evidence-based strategies.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome (or “imposter phenomenon”) is a pattern of intense self-doubt and feeling like a fraud, despite clear evidence of competence. Psychologists describe it as “feelings of intellectual fraudulence despite evident accomplishments” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In practice this means you might attribute your successes to luck or hard work rather than ability, shy away from praise, and fear that others will discover you’re not as skilled as they think link.springer.com bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com. In short, you worry that you’re not really a “real” doctor-in-training – and that maybe someday everyone else will realize it.

Importantly, imposter syndrome is not an official medical diagnosis, but it is a widespread phenomenon. It was first documented by psychologists Clance and Imes in 1978 among high-achieving women, and they noted that impostors “inaccurately believe they have fooled others into thinking they are more capable than they really are” and live in chronic fear of being unmasked bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com. Today researchers use scales like the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) to measure it. In a large survey of medical students, the average CIPS score indicated “frequent” imposter experiences, and two-thirds of students met the threshold for clinically significant imposter syndrome pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

In everyday terms, imposter feelings might show up as negative self-talk (“I don’t deserve to be here”, “They’ll see I’m not smart enough”), perfectionism (“I have to do everything flawlessly or I’m a failure”), or avoiding challenges out of fear of failure. Know that these thoughts are common reactions to stress and high expectations, not a sign that you’re actually incompetent. And as we’ll see, there are practical ways to push back on them.

How Common Is Imposter Syndrome Among Medical Students?

Surveys make it clear: feeling like an imposter is the rule, not the exception, in medical school. Studies report very high rates among trainees. For example, one UK study found that 65% of medical students had scores indicating clinically significant imposter syndrome pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In the United States, a survey of incoming first-year students found 87% experienced “high” or “very high” levels of impostor feelings journals.stfm.org. A recent questionnaire of Swedish medical students likewise found 58% scored above the cutoff for imposter syndrome, with nearly 90% reporting at least moderate impostor feelings bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com.

Other studies worldwide echo the trend. A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia reported that 24.3% of their students had positive imposter syndrome by a strict definition journals.plos.org (still, nearly one in four). In fact, one literature review notes a range of 22–60% of med students affected depending on methods. Even at the low end, that’s still a large chunk of every class. Crucially, many students underestimate how common it is – one dental school study found 43% of students underestimated how imposterish they were until seeing their scores pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Bottom line: most medical students have felt like an imposter at some point. You might see high-achieving classmates who seem confident, but beneath the surface many have the same doubts. Knowing the numbers helps us realize that these feelings are not a personal failure – they’re surprisingly normal in our field.

Why Does Medical Training Breed Imposter Feelings?

Medicine is a high-pressure, high-stakes arena, and that environment tends to amplify imposter syndrome. From the start of medical school, students face relentless evaluation: exams, grades, and often class rank. In one study, students actually pointed to exam rankings as a key trigger. Each drop in exam decile (even a 10% decline in class rank) was associated with higher imposter scores pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In other words, a system that constantly ranks and compares learners can make you feel less-than if you aren’t at the very top.

Several other cultural factors in medical education contribute:

• High expectations and perfectionism. Medicine attracts perfectionists. As one analysis notes, the culture often equates mistakes with failure and demands “exceptional performance, innovation, and competitiveness” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Under these super-high standards, any tiny slip-up can feel disastrous. Students learn (implicitly) that any imperfection is unacceptable, which fuels self-doubt. In fact, imbuing a growth mindset and learning from errors is not emphasized as much as it could be. As Rampersad et al. point out, mentors should share how mistakes are normal and “mistakes are not seen as failures but as learning experience” link.springer.com, but the day-to-day curriculum often fails to do this.

• Stress and workload. Med school involves chronic stress, burnout risk, and long hours. Studies note that medical students report higher stress, depression, and burnout than their peers bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com. This constant stress can weaken self-confidence. When you’re exhausted and anxious, it’s easier to assume any success is undeserved.

• Culture of constant testing. Nearly every week or month there’s a test, OSCE, or evaluation in clinical rotations. Rampersad’s article highlights how the very nature of medical training is a “constant assessment” of skills link.springer.com. It means there’s rarely a break to absorb what you know; you’re always bracing for the next evaluation. This fuels imposter feelings: you might think “If even one test goes badly, everyone will know I’m not good enough.”

• Competitive environment. Medical school can feel competitive, even if it isn’t openly discussed. Students often privately compare themselves to each other, and academic rankings or honors tracks can promote comparison. In a survey of Swedish students, females in particular reported higher imposter scores, possibly reflecting how stereotypes and bias intersect with competitiveness bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com. The hidden curriculum – what peers and seniors model in how they talk about skills and mistakes – also matters. If everyone around you is high-achieving, it’s easy to feel you must be equally flawless.

All these factors combine so that many students constantly wonder if they truly belong. If you’re feeling an intense fear that you’re “not as good as everyone thinks,” remember it’s probably the training environment talking, not reality.

Strategies for Coping with Imposter Syndrome

The good news is that imposter syndrome can be managed. Many of the strategies come from cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology. Below are research-backed approaches you can start trying now:

• Challenge negative self-talk (Cognitive tools). Keep a journal of your successes and positive feedback pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Writing down compliments, good exam results, or moments you helped a patient can provide evidence against impostor thoughts. Practice cognitive restructuring: when you think “I’m a fraud,” ask “What evidence do I have for that?” and reframe it more realistically. Develop a growth mindset: remind yourself that ability improves with practice. As Siddiqui et al. note, interventions often focus on “cognitive reframing” – turning “I failed” into “I’m learning” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Over time, this weakens the habit of assuming the worst about yourself.

• Recognize your strengths. It’s easy to forget what you’ve accomplished. List your achievements (e.g. awards, passing boards, compliments from professors). As [19] suggests under “recognizing strengths,” actively remind yourself of these wins. Celebrate even small successes: got through a tough shift? Handled a difficult patient interaction? Acknowledge you did well. This isn’t bragging – it’s recalibrating an honest self-view.

• Lean on peers. You’d be surprised how common these feelings are. Form a study/support group and share your experiences. Talking openly makes imposter feelings less isolating. Siddiqui et al. point out that support communities and peer networks – even informal ones – create safe spaces to express doubts pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Hearing a classmate admit “I doubted myself after that exam” makes you realize it happens to everyone. Break the silence by normalizing the conversation. As one guide recommends, discussing your imposter thoughts with empathetic peers “reinforces the concept of growth and learning” and shows you’re not alone link.springer.com.

• Seek mentors and coaches. Find a trusted mentor – faculty, resident, or senior student – who can give you honest feedback and encouragement. Coaching has been shown to boost confidence in uncertainty link.springer.com. A good mentor will remind you of your accomplishments and help you reframe challenges. They can also share their own imposter stories, which many have. Rampersad et al. emphasize that mentoring can help you admit imperfections and focus on strengths link.springer.com. Specific feedback is gold: instead of guessing how you did, ask for constructive critique. You’ll likely find areas to improve, but also hear about what you’re doing well – information that often contradicts your negative assumptions.

• Reframe mistakes as learning. Change your mindset about failure. As [27] advises, treat mistakes not as fatal flaws but as valuable lessons link.springer.com. Medical training should be a growth process. Remind yourself that progress over perfection is the goal link.springer.com. If something doesn’t go perfectly (a low grade, a feedback on poor performance), ask “What can I learn from this?” Everyone – including attending physicians – has gaps in knowledge or skills; the key is effort and improvement, not never being wrong.

• Practice mindfulness and self-compassion. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness exercises can help you detach from harsh self-criticism. Siddiqui’s review notes mindfulness and self-compassion as useful elements of coping pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. For example, mindfulness teaches you to observe your thoughts without judgment – so when an imposter thought arises (“I just don’t belong here”), you acknowledge it as a passing thought instead of letting it consume you link.springer.com. Likewise, be kind to yourself. If you wouldn’t harshly criticize a friend who didn’t know an answer, don’t do it to yourself. Over time, self-compassion builds resilience. It won’t eliminate self-doubt overnight, but it softens the emotional impact.

• Set realistic goals and personal benchmarks. Instead of rigid “A or bust” standards, set achievable goals (e.g. mastering one concept at a time). Avoid constant social comparison. One strategy is focusing on personal improvement: compare yourself to your past performance, not to a classmate. Ensure you schedule time for rest and hobbies too – self-care reduces stress, which in turn limits impostor rumination.

Many of these approaches overlap. For instance, writing down accomplishments is both a cognitive tool and a form of self-compassion. Group workshops or resilience training programs (when available) can teach these techniques in an interactive way pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Studies find that even short interventions – like an imposter-awareness workshop – can increase students’ confidence in recognizing and managing these feelings pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Conclusion: You Can Overcome This

Feeling like an imposter can be painful, but remember: it’s a common experience, not a personal failing. In fact, research reminds us that most people – over 70% of high-achievers – go through imposter moments pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The fact that you notice these feelings means you care deeply about your work; it doesn’t mean you don’t belong.

Take heart that the culture of medicine is slowly shifting, too. Educators are increasingly aware of imposter syndrome’s toll and are encouraging supportive environments link.springer.com. Universities and hospitals are promoting well-being, open discussions, and mentorship. For example, Rampersad et al. urge that medical programs “reduce stress and promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment” to help trainees thrive link.springer.com.

For now, though, focus on what you can do today. Try one new strategy: share how you feel with a friend, jot down one positive feedback in a notebook, or meditate for five minutes to observe your thoughts without judgment. Each small step chips away at the imposter’s power. Over time, those pervasive doubts will lose their grip as you accumulate more evidence of your own competence and worth.

Above all, be patient and kind to yourself. Imposter feelings may never vanish completely – many accomplished people continue to battle them – but they don’t have to control your life or career. With support, self-reflection, and the strategies above, you can manage imposter syndrome and move forward with confidence. You earned your place in medical school. Trust that your hard work, intelligence, and dedication got you here – not luck or a fluke. And remember, even the most brilliant physicians once felt just like you do now.

Like this one? Check out these other related articles next!

• The Realities of Dating a Medical Student, Resident, or Physician

• From White Coats to Wisdom: Med School Advice from All Sides

References

1. Rosenthal S, Schlussel Y, Yaden MB, et al. Persistent Impostor Phenomenon Is Associated With Distress in Medical Students. Fam Med. 2021;53(2):118–122. DOI:10.22454/FamMed.2021.799997journals.stfm.orgjournals.stfm.org.

2. Franchi T, Russell-Sewell N. Medical Students and the Impostor Phenomenon: A Coexistence Precipitated and Perpetuated by the Educational Environment? Med Sci Educ. 2022;33(1):27–38pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

3. Kristoffersson E, Boman J, Bitar A. Impostor Phenomenon and Its Association With Resilience in Medical Education – a Questionnaire Study Among Swedish Medical Students. BMC Med Educ.2024;24:782bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com.

4. Rampersad K, Salfarlie R, Herry A, et al. Trust me, I’m a Doctor: Strategies for Combating Imposter Feelings Among Physicians and Medical Students. Med Sci Educ. 2025; eCollection 2025. [Online ahead of print]link.springer.comlink.springer.com.

5. Siddiqui ZK, Church HR, Jayasuriya R, et al. Educational Interventions for Imposter Phenomenon in Healthcare: A Scoping Review. BMC Med Educ. 2024;24:43pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

6. El-Setouhy M, Makeen AM, Alqassim AY, et al. Prevalence and Correlates of Imposter Syndrome and Self-Esteem Among Medical Students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS ONE.2024;19(5):e0303445journals.plos.org.