March 11, 2026
Imposter syndrome (IS), first defined in 1978, is the belief that success is undeserved rather than the result of hard work or skills. People who experience IS, also known as imposter phenomenon, persistently doubt their abilities and often report feeling like a fraud, despite evidence of success. Recent studies indicate that IS is especially prevalent among high-achieving individuals, such as medical professionals, with rates as high as 62%.
"Everyone deals with imposter syndrome in a different shape or form," says Subha Hanif, M.D., a physiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. But physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) professionals tend to experience it in unique and intense ways. Here is what the research says and what you can do about it.
Unique challenges for physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians
While IS has not been studied in PM&R specifically, research suggests that it is widespread among all physician specialties. A cross-sectional study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that nearly 1 in 4 physicians surveyed reported frequent or intense IS. And physicians, overall, experience an 80% higher risk of IS compared with people with a doctoral or professional degree in another field.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians may be especially vulnerable. "PM&R doctors are still underrecognized or unknown to many medical specialties," says Dr. Hanif. "Having to always explain what you do can make you feel like an imposter."
In addition, PM&R physicians often encounter diverse patient populations with challenging, complex cases. "You want to help people as best you can, but it can feel very overwhelming," says Dr. Hanif. The weight of responsibility, combined with the understanding that some patients may not recover beyond a certain point, can amplify self-doubt about whether you are making the right decisions for patient care.
"The more often distinguished senior people talk about imposter syndrome, the more it empowers the younger generation to acknowledge and address their own feelings."
Impact on patient care and professional development
Imposter syndrome can directly affect clinical practice and professional growth. Physiatrists who experience IS may engage in avoidance behaviors, such as sticking with familiar techniques rather than trying new ones. Additionally, they may decline professional opportunities due to a perceived lack of qualification.
"Imposter syndrome aligns with overpreparing, overworking, fear of asking questions, and avoiding challenging cases or patient situations," says Dr. Hanif. This tendency toward perfectionism also increases the likelihood of burnout, she notes. Research published in Practical Neurology finds that IS is associated with a higher prevalence of suicide ideation and a decrease in professional fulfillment, as well.
Strategies for recognition and mitigation
Although imposter syndrome may be common, and perhaps even inevitable in medicine, there are practical steps physicians can take to manage it. "How you go about handling imposter syndrome, and not letting those symptoms overwhelm you, can help you progress in your field," says Dr. Hanif. Here are her recommendations.
Normalize the experience
Mentorship and peer support are crucial. Mentors, seasoned physiatrists and leaders can play a powerful role in normalizing feelings of self-doubt by openly sharing their own experiences with IS and talking about when they first felt confident in their skills. "The more often distinguished senior people talk about imposter syndrome, the more it empowers the younger generation to acknowledge and address their own feelings," says Dr. Hanif.
Recognize triggers
Imposter syndrome manifests differently depending on the person, career stage and situation. Physicians should keep a log of the thought patterns that accompany feelings of self-doubt to identify recurring themes and anticipate when those feelings are most likely to spike.
According to Dr. Hanif, common triggers include:
- Starting a new job or program.
- Working alongside highly competitive colleagues or people you perceive as more skilled.
- Being compared to other high performers.
Imposter syndrome triggers often change over the course of a career. Dr. Hanif recommends reevaluating your triggers at the beginning of any new stage of transition.
Maintain a competency file
Dr. Hanif recommends creating a "competency file" to track performance over time. Documenting positive feedback from colleagues, thank you notes from patients and successful case reports provide tangible evidence of skill and progress to combat feelings of professional inadequacy and reinforce confidence.
Practice in-the-moment strategies
Anchoring phrases, such as "I am trained for this" and "I may not be perfect, but I get the job done," can help physicians stay grounded during moments of self-doubt. Over time, repeating these affirmations also builds a neurological association with steadiness, which IS tends to erode.
"Imposter syndrome isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's a good check-in for us — not to think too overconfident or arrogant," says Dr. Hanif. But if left unaddressed, it can hold physicians back from professional opportunities, impact patient care and contribute to burnout. Recognizing and managing IS is essential for physicians striving to deliver optimal patient care and advance in their careers.
For more information
Shanafelt TD, et al. Imposter phenomenon in US physicians relative to the US working population. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2022;97:1981.
Refer a patient to Mayo Clinic.