Imagine this: It’s your second month of residency, and you find yourself in the midst of a chaotic ED shift. The stakes are high; you are overseeing patients, making choices, and striving to improve. Then, an error occurs. Not one that inflicts serious harm on the patient, but perhaps you overlook a diagnosis, mishandle a procedure, or simply feel overwhelmed. You understand that failure is part of development, yet that doesn’t lessen the burden. Suddenly, doubts emerge: “Am I the only one who’s failing? Is this typical? When does it improve?” Before long, you’re descending into imposter syndrome. Does this resonate? You’re not alone. I’ve experienced it too. Having encouraging seniors and faculty definitely aids, but it doesn’t entirely erase that persistent and harmful tendency to compare yourself to others at your level of training. Surely, they’re not making the same errors, right?

But what if I suggested there’s an easy method to break this loop? Rather than allowing imposter syndrome to dominate, you can view your mistakes as a normal aspect of being an intern. A way to demonstrate unequivocally that mistakes are integral to the process and occur to everyone. The answer? Reach out via your group message or WhatsApp and share your mistake with your co-residents.

At first glance, this might appear entirely counterproductive. Why would you voluntarily disclose your “failures” when you’re already anxious about how others view you? Won’t this only validate your concern that you’re lagging behind? Wouldn’t admitting your blunder just amplify your feelings of inadequacy? On the contrary, I can assure you that sharing is what ultimately alleviates those feelings. It turns out that this isn’t solely my personal experience; research backs it up too.

The idea of downward social comparison (where people measure themselves against those seen as worse off) can be an influential strategy in residency. If we begin with the undeniable truth that we all make mistakes, we can understand how this unfolds. When you reveal a mistake, you are subconsciously affirming that it is not something to feel embarrassed about, but instead a commonplace occurrence. This promotes a sense of normalcy, minimizing isolation and reinforcing that mistakes are a shared part of growth. At first glance, this may appear to foster feelings of superiority or unhealthy rivalry, but studies indicate otherwise. In high-pressure settings like residency, downward social comparison is a natural way to deal with self-doubt. By voluntarily participating in this behavior, you help cultivate a culture of openness, where recognizing challenges enhances camaraderie instead of fuelling insecurity. This isn’t a novel concept in psychology. Wills first articulated downward social comparison as a means for self-assessment and stress relief. Multiple studies indicate that it assists people in reframing their difficulties, upholding emotional health, and realizing that their challenges are common. A 2018 study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that this mechanism alleviates negative emotions associated with failure and self-doubt. Additionally, research in medical education shows that residents who candidly discuss their challenges display greater resilience and reduced burnout rates. By sharing your errors, you unintentionally create a cycle; your colleagues feel reassured, and in turn, they start sharing their own difficulties. This reciprocal process not only normalizes struggle but also fosters a stronger, more supportive residency environment.

If you’re uncertain, I understand. Initially, I feared that this approach might encourage arrogance or unhealthy competition. However, I now believe that engaging in this practice openly is one of the healthiest and most effective methods to cultivate a positive culture in residency. Here’s why:

– **It humanizes you:** Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison. Sharing your challenges normalizes the hurdles of residency and debunks the misleading notion that others are faring significantly better.
– **It fosters a culture of openness:** Taking the initiative in vulnerability indicates to others that it’s safe to be honest about their struggles. Over time, this establishes an environment where openness is the norm rather than an exception.
– **It builds trust and cohesion:** Residency relies on teamwork. Acknowledging challenges collectively nurtures trust and support, reinforcing the idea that no one is in this alone.
– **It nurtures genuine, lasting confidence:** True confidence isn’t about never facing mistakes; it revolves around recognizing that mistakes do not define you. Embracing failure openly enables you to cultivate a deeper, more lasting sense of self-assurance.

Imposter syndrome is not unfamiliar; we all recognize its impacts. What I’m advocating is a practical approach to handle it, one you can instigate right away. Residency is challenging enough without the burden of imposter syndrome weighing you down. By normalizing failure and promoting open dialogue, we can transform the culture from silent self-doubt to collective growth. So, what’s holding you back? Initiate that cultural shift in your program.