Imposter syndrome as an IMG — does it ever go away?

Question

10 years experience back home, here I feel like an FY1 again. Anyone else feel this way? How did you cope?

Dr. Sofia Martinez · Answer

It gets better, I promise. My first month I felt like I'd forgotten everything. Six months in, I realised the NHS expects you to learn on the job — they don't expect you to know every local protocol on day one.

Dr. Karthik Rao · Answer

What helped me was finding one senior I trusted and asking 'stupid' questions privately. Everyone has them. You're not alone in this.

Dr. Amina Bello · Answer

I still get it sometimes after two years. The difference is now I recognise it as a feeling, not a fact. Keep a folder of positive feedback — it helps on hard days.

Imposter syndrome as an IMG — does it ever go away?

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