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Understanding Impostor Syndrome in Urologists: A Professional Experience Survey
SECTION A: Demographics
1.
Age
under 30
31-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
2.
Country of clinical practice:
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Morocco
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Other
3.
Gender Identity:
Female
Male
Non-Binary
Prefer not to say
Prefer to self-describe
4.
Ethnic Background:
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian or Asian American
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Middle Eastern or North African
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
White
Another race
5.
Training Grade or Position:
Junior trainee
Urology trainee
Fellow
Consultant
Academic/Clinical Lecturer
Other (please specify)
6.
Years of Experience in Urology:
<1
1-3 years
4-6 years
7-10 years
>10 years
7.
Do you identify as an International Medical Graduate (IMG)?(completed primary medical qualification in one country and is practicing or training in another country, outside their country of origin)
Yes
No
SECTION B: Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (Adapted)
Please rate how true each statement is for you personally using the following scale:
8.
I worry that others will discover how little I really know.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
9.
I feel that my success in urology has been due to some kind of luck.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
10.
I’m afraid people important to me may find out that I’m not as capable as they think
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
11.
I often compare myself to my colleagues and feel less competent
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
12.
I find it hard to accept compliments or praise about my surgical skills.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
13.
I fear being “found out” even when I’ve done well in exams or presentations.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
14.
I avoid volunteering for high-profile cases in case I fail.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
15.
I feel my patients or colleagues expect more from me than I can deliver.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
16.
I sometimes think I’m only pretending to be a competent urologist.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
17.
When I succeed at something, I feel like I’ve fooled others.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
18.
I downplay my role in successful outcomes, attributing them to external factors.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
19.
I feel pressure to work harder than colleagues to “prove myself.”
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
20.
I find it hard to believe that I deserve my consultant/fellow/training position.
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
21.
I worry that I don’t belong in this specialty
Not at all true
Rarely true
Sometimes true
Often true
Very true
SECTION C: Urology-Specific Professional Experience
22.
Have you ever felt inadequate despite evidence of your competence in urology?
Yes
No
Not sure
23.
Do you experience greater pressure to avoid mistakes in the operating theatre or clinic compared to your peers?
Yes
No
Not Sure
24.
Have you ever attributed a surgical success more to luck or external support than your own skill?
Yes
No
Not sure
25.
Do you feel you have to “act the part” of a confident surgeon even when you feel uncertain?
Yes
No
Not sure
26.
Have you ever avoided applying for a role, fellowship, or award because you felt undeserving?
Yes
No
Not sure
27.
Do you feel comfortable asking for help or admitting uncertainty in front of colleagues or trainees?
Yes
No
Not sure
28.
Have you received structured support (e.g. mentorship, coaching) to discuss self-doubt or performance anxiety?
Yes
No
Not sure
29.
Has your experience of impostor feelings affected your:
(Please tick all that apply)
Confidence in clinical decision-making
Willingness to speak up in MDTs or meetings
Work-life balance
Mental health and wellbeing
None of the above
Prefer not to say
SECTION D: Academic and Leadership Experience
30.
Have you ever doubted your academic achievements (e.g., publications, presentations) as being genuinely earned?
Yes
No
Not sure
31.
Have you turned down speaking invitations at national or international meetings due to fear of being exposed as inadequate?
Yes
No
Not sure
32.
Do you feel your academic success is due to timing or external support rather than personal merit?
Yes
No
Not sure
33.
Do you experience anxiety when asked to lead a research project or multi-disciplinary team?
Yes
No
Not sure
34.
Have you hesitated to apply for leadership roles in urology due to self-doubt?
Yes
No
Not sure
SECTION E: Qualitative Questions (Free Text)
35.
Can you describe a time during your urology training or practice when you felt like an impostor?
Early training
Late training
Throughout my urology journey
Other (please specify)
36.
What strategies (if any) have helped you manage impostor feelings in your career?
With experience
Learning from mentors
Attending meeting/conferences
Sharing and reflecting with peers
Other (please specify)
37.
What could your department, training programme, or professional body do to better support urologists experiencing impostor syndrome?