Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints in Anesthesiologists

NCT07648576 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-TBEK 2026/02-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 176
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective observational cross-sectional survey study aims to investigate the relationship between impostor phenomenon and cognitive complaints in anesthesiologists, and to evaluate the role of potential confounding factors such as sleep quality, workload, anxiety, depression, and burnout in this relationship.

Conditions

Impostor Phenomenon; Cognitive Complaints; Burnout, Professional

Keywords

impostor phenomenon; cognitive complaints; anesthesiologists; burnout; patient safety; anxiety; sleep quality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Relationship Between Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints

  Statistical association between the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) total score and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) total score among anesthesiologists.

  At the time of survey completion, up to 1 month

Study Arms (1)

Study Cohort

Anesthesiologists actively working in clinical practice, including residents, specialists, and academic staff. Data were collected via an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire assessing the impostor phenomenon, cognitive complaints, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and workload.

Other: Self-Administered Questionnaire

Interventions

Self-Administered Questionnaire OTHER

A structured online self-administered questionnaire including the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and single-item scales for sleep quality and workload.

Study Cohort

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Anesthesiologists actively working in clinical practice in Turkey, including residents, specialists, and academic staff.

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18 years or older Actively working as an anesthesiologist (resident, specialist, or academic staff) Provided written informed consent Completed the survey in full

You may not qualify if:

• Not actively working in clinical practice Refused to provide informed consent Submitted an incomplete survey

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fusun Gozen: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye

Bursa, 16310, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Gisselbaek M, Suppan M, Saxena S, Hudelson P, Savoldelli GL. Association of impostor phenomenon and burnout among Swiss residents and junior anaesthesiologists: results of a cross-sectional survey. BMC Anesthesiol. 2025 Feb 22;25(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s12871-025-02957-8.

  PMID: 39987071 BACKGROUND

• Gaba DM. Anaesthesiology as a model for patient safety in health care. BMJ. 2000 Mar 18;320(7237):785-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.320.7237.785. No abstract available.

  PMID: 10720368 BACKGROUND

• Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, Madhusudhan DK, Taylor KT, Clark DM, Nelson RS, Cokley KO, Hagg HK. Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Apr;35(4):1252-1275. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

  PMID: 31848865 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

imposter syndrome; Burnout, Professional; Burnout, Psychological; Anxiety Disorders; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Occupational Stress; Occupational Diseases; Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Füsun Gözen, MD (Anesthesiology)

  SBÜ Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialist, Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2026
• First Posted: June 15, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: June 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)