Background: Imposter phenomenon (IP) can impact professional performance and has been described as a risk factor for burnout within healthcare workers. We hypothesize that IP and burnout are prevalent among Swiss anaesthesiology residents and junior anaesthesiologists, and that specific risk factors are significantly associated with these conditions.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey of anaesthesiologists working in regions of Switzerland. The survey included demographic questions, the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS-MP). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to identify demographic variables predictive of IP and burnout and to examine the association between IP and burnout.

Results: A total of 318 people were eligible to participate. Of those, 136 (42.8%) participants completed the CIPS, and 127 (39.9%) completed the MBI-HSS-MP. Among CIPS respondents, 55% (75/136) identified as women, and 59% (80/136) were Swiss nationals. The prevalence of IP was 56% (76/136) and burnout was 10.2% (13/127). Women were more at risk of IP and burnout (p = 0.037). Independent covariates associated with IP were woman gender (p = 0.015) and Swiss nationality (p = 0.023). Additionally, the presence of IP was correlated with an increased likelihood of burnout (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: IP was correlated with the presence of burnout in anaesthesiologists in training. Additionally, IP affected more than half of the participants. Two risk factors were identified for IP: being a woman and a Swiss national. The rates of IP and its concerning association with burnout among resident and junior anaesthesiologists needs to be addressed.

Trial registration: NCT06097325, https://www.

Clinicaltrials: gov/study/NCT06097325.