By Dr Fadh Yusof
Internship is one of the steepest learning curves in medicine. You carry real clinical responsibility, make decisions under time pressure and quickly learn how a hospital actually runs. On a busy shift, it can seem as though everyone else is coping with ease while you fear they will notice the gaps in your knowledge.
This is often called imposter syndrome. It is not a psychiatric diagnosis, but the nagging sense that you are less capable than others think, even when the evidence says otherwise. It can affect doctors at any stage, especially during transitions such as internship. Feeling unsure does not mean you are incapable. It simply means you are adjusting to a demanding new role.
Where does the self-doubt come from?
Imposter feelings reflect both how we see ourselves and where we work.
Internal influences: Medicine attracts high achievers, but that drive can make us unforgiving of our own mistakes. Perfectionism often leads us to set unrealistic standards, dismiss positive feedback and compare our private worries against the outward confidence of our peers.
External influences: Hierarchy, time pressure and fear of looking incompetent can make questions feel risky. Self-doubt can grow when mistakes are noticed more readily than progress, especially during transitions or when navigating structural barriers.
Practical ways to combat imposter syndrome
The goal is not to silence every doubt, but to stop self-doubt taking over.
Give yourself permission to learn: You are not expected to know everything on day one. Acknowledging your limitations, asking for guidance, and debriefing when things do not go to plan are core signs of safe clinical practice, not weakness.
Keep track of the wins: Write down the moments that went well: a kind word from a senior, a smooth discharge, or a thank-you from a patient’s family. On difficult days, these reminders can help balance the tendency to focus only on what went wrong.
Say it out loud: Talk to a trusted peer, resident, or mentor. Bringing these worries into the open quickly proves you are not alone, normalises the learning curve and breaks down the isolation of holding it all in.
Imposter syndrome can resurface across a medical career, but it’s never proof that you do not belong. Healthy self-doubt can keep us thoughtful, reflective, and curious, as long as it does not undermine our confidence. If these feelings start to feel overwhelming or affect your wellbeing, remember that reaching out for support early is an act of professional self-care.
Dr Fadhullah (Fadh) Yusof is a Paediatric Registrar at Sunshine Hospital and Clinical Tutor at the University of Melbourne.
References available on request.
References
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