{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T01:00:38Z","timestamp":1790902838672,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":57,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,12]],"date-time":"2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1749686400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000155","name":"Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000155","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Medical Education"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title><jats:p>Imposter phenomenon (IP) or syndrome is typically framed as a personal problem rooted in low self\u2010esteem or anxiety that an individual must overcome to succeed. Critics argue that this framing overlooks external forces, such as discrimination, that engender feelings of inadequacy. Since women in medicine disproportionately experience both IP and workplace harms, our purpose was to examine the link between gender\u2010based discrimination and IP from their point of view.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>Women training and practicing across Canada were invited to participate via Twitter\/X. Forty consented (n\u2009=\u200913 Faculty Physicians; 27 Trainees). During semi\u2010structured interviews, participants discussed their imposter experiences, including how discrimination influenced perceptions of their competence. Data were analysed using constructivist grounded theory, with constant comparative analysis employed across three coding stages.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>The link between workplace discrimination and IP is complex. Some perceived no link whereas others described IP as a trauma response to repeated instances of gender\u2010based harms. Most participants experienced discrimination, although subtle instances led some to question whether they were overreacting. Others suggested that perceptions of incompetence were externally imposed rather than internally generated. Some also wondered if they were being \u201cgaslighted\u201d or manipulated by others into questioning their competence. Although some participants endorsed experiencing IP, others pushed back, rejecting the imposter label altogether: \u201cit's not the imposter syndrome, it's you don't want me in the field.\u201d Based on participants' experiences, we developed a theoretical model called the Intruder Paradox (IPx) to nuance understanding about IP in medicine.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title><jats:p>We define IPx as a form of gaslighting used against those who do not fit sociocultural norms. Although it may co\u2010exist with IP, IPx appears to be a distinct, overlooked barrier to personal well\u2010being and professional advancement in medicine. Addressing IP and IPx, and achieving equity, depends on acknowledging the complex sociocultural factors that can trigger imposter feelings and be weaponized against intruders.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/medu.15741","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,13]],"date-time":"2025-06-13T01:34:29Z","timestamp":1749778469000},"page":"1058-1066","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":18,"title":["Introducing the intruder paradox: \u201cIt's not the imposter syndrome, it's you don't want me in the field\u201d"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"59","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4738-0146","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kori A.","family":"LaDonna","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Innovation in Medical Education &amp; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Ottawa  Ottawa Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lindsay","family":"Cowley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ottawa Hospital Research Institute  Ottawa Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5308-3335","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Emily","family":"Field","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Women's Studies &amp; Feminist Research Western University  London Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4595-6650","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Shiphra","family":"Ginsburg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine University of Toronto  Toronto Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Christopher","family":"Watling","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada  Ottawa Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0293-6294","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rachael","family":"Pack","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Education Research and Innovation Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University  London Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_11_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/h0086006"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000002046"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/medu.13956"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s40037\u2010020\u201000562\u20108"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.22454\/FamMed.2021.799997"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10401334.2020.1784741"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/20009666.2021.1877891"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11606\u2010019\u201005364\u20101"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jnma.2023.01.012"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jamcollsurg.2021.07.681"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2019.9788"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/medu.14536"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsurg.2018.06.025"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000005049"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5116\/ijme.5801.eac4"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mayocp.2022.06.021"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/10398562211036121"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-86570-2_1"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.57039"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5116\/ijme.5f54.c8f8"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2224\/sbp.2008.36.1.43"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bas.2024.102816"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0095798418786648"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2024.e29478"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.22454\/FamMed.2023.376821"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000004354"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913\u2010018\u20103328\u2010y"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/medu.15538"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/medu.13232"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0001839214528331"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000005828"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00001888\u2010200305000\u201000015"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/SLA.0b013e3182111120"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7326\/0003\u20104819\u2010141\u20103\u2010200408030\u201000009"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amjsurg.2012.07.044"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_37_1","volume-title":"Constructing grounded theory","author":"Charmaz K","year":"2014"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1077800410383121"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/104973202129120052"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0003122419874843"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_41_1","unstructured":"Cambridge Dictionary.Intruder. @CambridgeWords. Published October 9 2024.https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/intruder"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_11_42_1","first-page":"51","article-title":"The imposter phenomenon in higher education: incidence and impact","volume":"16","author":"Parkman A","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Higher Educ Theory Pract"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMms2116556"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11199\u2010015\u20100516\u20107"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1503\/cmaj.212145"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.46747\/cfp.6705367"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2022.13080"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jvs.2019.02.064"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj\u20102021\u2010065984"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.31478\/201905a"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_51_1","volume-title":"The impostor phenomenon: overcoming the fear that haunts your success","author":"Clance PR","year":"1985"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_52_1","volume-title":"The secret thoughts of successful women: why capable people suffer from the impostor syndrome and how to thrive in spite of it","author":"Young V","year":"2011"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4135\/9781848607941.n4"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13562517.2023.2280261"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10401334.2023.2232347"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000003215"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1370\/afm.2916"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_58_1","first-page":"20","volume-title":"The impostor phenomenon: when success makes you feel like a fake","author":"Clance PR","year":"1985"}],"container-title":["Medical Education"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/medu.15741","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,14]],"date-time":"2025-10-14T14:12:45Z","timestamp":1760451165000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/medu.15741"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,12]]},"references-count":57,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1111\/medu.15741"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/medu.15741","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["0308-0110","1365-2923"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0308-0110","type":"print"},{"value":"1365-2923","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,12]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-10-18","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-05-13","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-06-12","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}