Faculty Collaboration Database

The Impact of Surgical Boot Camp on Medical Student Confidence and Imposter Syndrome. J Surg Res 2023 Mar;283:872-878

Date

03/15/2023

Pubmed ID

36915015

DOI

10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.013

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85143855032 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Transitioning from medical student to surgical intern is accompanied by increased responsibility, stress, and clinical burden. This environment lends itself to imposter syndrome (IS), a psychological condition grounded in self-doubt causing fear of being discovered as fraud despite adequate abilities. We hypothesized a 2-week surgical boot camp for fourth year medical students would improve confidence in technical skills/knowledge and IS.

METHODS: Thirty medical students matching into surgical specialties completed the boot-camp in February 2020. Presurveys/postsurveys assessed confidence levels using a 1-5 Likert scale regarding 32 technical skills and knowledge points. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) assessed IS, where increasing scores correlate to greater IS.

RESULTS: Median (interquartile range [IQR]) subject age was 27 y (26, 28), 20 (66.7%) were male, and 21 (70%) were Caucasian. Of the 30 students, 23 (76.7%) had a break in training with a median [IQR] of 2 [1, 3] y outside of medicine. Confidence scores were significantly improved in all five assessment categories (P < 0.05); however, there was no change in CIPS in median [IQR] presurveys versus postsurveys (65.5 [52, 75] versus 64 [52, 75], P = 0.70). Females had higher mean (standard deviation) pre-CIPS than males (68.4 [15.2] versus 61.6 [14.9], P = 0.02). There was no strong correlation between age and CIPS in the presurvey (Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient [SRCC]: 0.29, P = 0.19) or postsurvey (SRCC: 0.31, P = 0.10). While subjects who worked outside of medicine had a stronger relationship with IS (SRCC: 0.37, P = 0.05), multivariable regression analysis did not reveal any significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS: We advocate for surgical boot-camp training courses to improve trainee skill and confidence. As IS is not improved by boot camp, additional research is needed to identify opportunities to improve IS among surgical trainees.

Author List

Choron RL, Manzella A, Teichman AL, Cai J, Schroeder ME, Yao M, Greenberg P

Author

Mary Elizabeth Schroeder MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Anxiety Disorders
Clinical Competence
Curriculum
Female
Humans
Internship and Residency
Male
Self Concept
Students, Medical