The impostor phenomenon and the psychological distress in the general practice / family medicine doctors in Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v41i3.13972Keywords:
Impostor phenomenon, Distress, Family medicine, General practice, CIPS, PHQ-4Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the impostor phenomenon (IP) in general and family medicine (GP/FM) specialists, according to gender, and years of specialty experience and to ascertain its association with distress or psychological sufferance.
Methods: Cross-sectional observational study on a sample of GP/FM specialists, applying a questionnaire in specific conversation social networks with the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4) questionnaires.
Results: In a sample of n=304, significant differences were found for distress by sex, worse in women (p<0.001) and number of years of specialty, with younger practitioners suffering more (50.2%), for professional practice up to five years (27.6%), and 11.1% above 16 years of professional practice (p=0.008). The FI significantly differed for the number of years of specialty practice, with the younger practitioners suffering more (p<0.001). Moderate or severe psychological distress was observed in 21.7% of the sample, with women significantly experiencing more moderate or severe distress, p<0.001. A weak and non-significant positive correlation was found between distress or psychological suffering and FI, r=0.066, p=0.249, in the absolute value of each scale.
Discussion: IP was weakly related to psychological suffering but has a negative impact on the individual’s functional status, making it urgent that preventive and even therapeutic measures at both a personal and institutional level are taken.
Conclusion: A frequency of 27.6% of GP/FM doctors experienced frequent or intense IP, not significantly different between genders, but significantly lower with increasing years of professional practice. Moderate or severe psychological distress was more common in females and younger GP/FM doctors. A weak non-significant correlation between IP and psychological distress was found.
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