Impostor PhenomenonNCT07648576
Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints in Anesthesiologists
An observational study of Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints, run by Fusun Gozen at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Impostor Phenomenon, Cognitive Complaints, Burnout, Professional
- What is being tested?
- Self-Administered Questionnaire
- How many people
- 176 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2026to 15 May 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Anesthesiologists actively working in clinical practice in Turkey, including residents, specialists, and academic staff.
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18 years or older Actively working as an anesthesiologist (resident, specialist, or academic staff) Provided written informed consent Completed the survey in full
Who cannot join
- Not actively working in clinical practice Refused to provide informed consent Submitted an incomplete survey
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye
Bursa, 16310
About this study
Official title: Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints in Anesthesiologists: A Neglected Risk for Patient Safety
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.
Read the detailed description
Anesthesiologists are required to make rapid decisions demanding high situational awareness for patient safety and clinical risk management. The Impostor Phenomenon (IP), frequently encountered among healthcare professionals, is defined as perceiving oneself as inadequate despite proven achievements, with persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. While existing literature has detailed the association of IP with mood symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and burnout, its effect on cognitive complaints has not been sufficiently examined. This study will assess IP using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), cognitive complaints using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and sleep quality and workload using single-item subjective scales. Data will be collected anonymously via an online self-administered structured questionnaire from anesthesiologists actively working in clinical practice.
- Being tested
- Self-Administered Questionnaire
- Keywords
- impostor phenomenon, cognitive complaints, anesthesiologists, burnout, patient safety, anxiety, sleep quality
- Medical subject headings
- imposter syndrome, Burnout, Professional, Burnout, Psychological, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Self-Administered QuestionnaireOther
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 group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Other: Self-Administered Questionnaire |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: At the time of survey completion, up to 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Feb 2026
- Primary completion15 May 2026
- Study completion15 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Impostor PhenomenonStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 176 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Fusun Gozen
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Fusun Gozen, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital
- Investigators
- Füsun Gözen, MD (Anesthesiology), Principal investigator, SBÜ Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07648576
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024-TBEK 2026/02-01
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared. This is a single-center observational survey study conducted at a public hospital. Data were collected anonymously and data sharing is not planned due to institutional privacy regulations and the absence of external funding requiring data sharing.
Publications
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.
PubMed 39987071Gaba 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.
PubMed 10720368Bravata 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.
PubMed 31848865
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints in Anesthesiologists: A Neglected Risk for Patient Safety
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07648576
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024-TBEK 2026/02-01
- Keywords
- impostor phenomenon, cognitive complaints, anesthesiologists, burnout, patient safety, anxiety, sleep quality
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 176 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Fusun GozenOther government
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Anesthesiologists are required to make rapid decisions demanding high situational awareness for patient safety and clinical risk management. The Impostor Phenomenon (IP), frequently encountered among healthcare professionals, is defined as perceiving oneself as inadequate despite proven achievements, with persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. While existing literature has detailed the association of IP with mood symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and burnout, its effect on cognitive complaints has not been sufficiently examined. This study will assess IP using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), cognitive complaints using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and sleep quality and workload using single-item subjective scales. Data will be collected anonymously via an online self-administered structured questionnaire from anesthesiologists actively working in clinical practice.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Study Cohort | – | Other: Self-Administered QuestionnaireAnesthesiologists 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Anesthesiologists actively working in clinical practice in Turkey, including residents, specialists, and academic staff.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Aged 18 years or older Actively working as an anesthesiologist (resident, specialist, or academic staff) Provided written informed consent Completed the survey in full
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Not actively working in clinical practice Refused to provide informed consent Submitted an incomplete survey
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Administered QuestionnaireA 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. | Other | Study Cohort |
Primary outcome
Relationship Between Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints
Time frame: At the time of survey completion, up to 1 month
Statistical association between the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) total score and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) total score among anesthesiologists.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 39987071Gisselbaek 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.
- Background: PubMed 10720368Gaba 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.
- Background: PubMed 31848865Bravata 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.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared. This is a single-center observational survey study conducted at a public hospital. Data were collected anonymously and data sharing is not planned due to institutional privacy regulations and the absence of external funding requiring data sharing.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Füsun Gözen, MD (Anesthesiology) principal investigator
SBÜ Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints, run by Fusun Gozen at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Relationship Between Impostor Phenomenon and Cognitive Complaints (time frame: At the time of survey completion, up to 1 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07648576, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Jun 2026.