If you have ever doubted your surgical skills or wondered if you possess the talent and experience necessary to be a leader, you are not alone. In the October Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons cover article, three successful surgeons offer details about their personal battles with imposter syndrome and how they deal with feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and a perceived inability to meet expectations.
Imposter syndrome is especially prevalent in surgery residents, as young professional adapt to new expectation of skill and professionalism. “When I think back to residency, especially in my second and third years, as I became more responsible for seeing patients and making initial decisions on whether they needed surgery—I think that’s when there was an incredible amount of self-doubt and certainly feelings of imposter syndrome,” said Muneera R. Kapadia, MD, FACS, one of the surgeons interviewed in the article and an author of a well-read 2021 Journal of the American College of Surgeons article on the topic. “Am I good enough? Will I be good enough when I am practicing independently?”
Other Bulletin Highlights
The October Bulletin has much more to offer, including:
Executive Director’s Update: Your Voice Can Be Nearly as Important as Your Hands
Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, ACS Executive Director & CEO, describes recent federal and state advocacy wins and issues a call to action for surgeons to continue these efforts.
The COT at 100: The Critical Role of Trauma Advocacy and Injury Prevention
Learn how the COT’s advocacy efforts over the last century have maximized the survival of the injured patient.
The Changing Face of Academic Plastic Surgery: An interview with Dr. Kerri Woodberry
In this Q&A profile, Dr. Woodberry discusses her trailblazing leadership role, Black representation in the House of Surgery, and what trainees should consider in their quest for strong mentorship.
Dr. Ernestine Hambrick Recognized as Inspiring Surgeon
Ernestine Hambrick, MD, FACS, will receive the 2022 ACS Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award at the Clinical Congress 2022.
Surgeons Honored for Volunteerism and Humanitarian Efforts
The Board of Governors’ Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards Workgroup has announced the recipients of the 2022 ACS/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award and Surgical Volunteerism Awards.
