Imposter Syndrome Relation to Gender Across Osteopathic Medical Schools.

This study explores the rate of Imposter Syndrome (IS) in osteopathic medical students specifically in regard to gender. Additionally, we compare IS with previous performance on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and undergraduate science GPA. IS has been described as a psychological term that refers to a pattern of behavior wherein people doubt their abilities and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud regardless of adequate external evidence of success. Females in professional fields have been shown to experience IS at a significantly higher rate than their male counterparts, the cause of which is unknown. We performed an anonymous survey distributed to osteopathic medical students in the USA from the classes of 2020-2023. The final data included information from 23 classes across 9 osteopathic medical schools. Students were asked eight questions from the Young Imposter Scale questionnaire to determine if a student had IS. Students were also asked to provide MCAT scores and undergraduate science GPA information. This study confirms that female osteopathic medical students experience IS at a higher rate than their male counterparts. This phenomenon is not dependent on gender ratios in medical school classes, nor is it dependent on previous student success on the MCAT or undergraduate science GPA. This indicates that medical schools need to be aware of IS throughout the student population, not just high-achieving individuals. IS is a significant problem in medical education, which can lead to physician burnout and deteriorating well-being.

In situ monitoring (field screening) and assessment of lead and arsenic contaminants in the greater New Orleans area using a portable X-ray fluorescence analyser.

This paper reports environmental assessment and identification of environmental contaminants caused by exposure to toxic metals such as Pb and As after Hurricane Katrina using an onsite analysis method. Concentrations of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) detected in many soil samples after Hurricane Katrina were reported to exceed EPA allowable value. Toxic metals mentioned above were measured by a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) in the greater New Orleans area. The portable XRF analyzer provides rapid data collection in the field. Distribution of Pb in New Orleans is displayed in a regional map using geographic information system (GIS). The map provides an updated image of environmental exposure to Pb contamination in the greater New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina and also shows Pb contaminated areas where Pb concentrations exceed the EPA allowable level. The portable XRF provides a rapid analysis method for toxic metals and can be used for the field screening of soils at any place and for identifying contamination areas rapidly.