Interventions to address impostor phenomenon: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review will identify and map the literature on interventions to address impostor phenomenon. INTRODUCTION: Impostor phenomenon, also known as impostor syndrome, describes intense feelings of fraudulence and chronic self-doubt. The phenomenon has been associated with a range of psychological issues and has been linked to negative career outcomes. While research on the prevalence of impostor phenomenon and its associated comorbidities has been reported for over 40 years, there is a paucity of studies that describe interventions to address this phenomenon. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The review will consider any English-language study that describes or evaluates interventions to mitigate impostor phenomenon. Quantitative and qualitative studies will be sourced from published literature, gray literature, and the references of retrieved articles. Studies will not be limited by participant or setting. Authors of primary studies will be contacted to identify additional sources or for clarifications, where required. Conference abstracts, editorials, and opinion papers will be excluded. METHODS: Databases to be searched will include APA PsycNet, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. All databases will be searched from inception till the present. Retrieved citations will be independently reviewed by the reviewers, and relevant studies will be extracted using a data extraction form developed for this review. The results will be presented in tabular format and accompanied by a narrative summary. The review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI guidelines for scoping reviews. DETAILS OF THIS REVIEW AVAILABLE AT: Open Science Framework osf.io/w7xg6.

Health promotion in Fiji: Is it feasible in the emergency department?

OBJECTIVES: Complications of diabetes, hypertension and asthma are commonly seen in EDs in Fiji. Time spent in the ED offers an opportunity for health promotion activities. The aim of the intervention was to provide information on diabetes, hypertension and asthma to patients in the ED. The aim of the project was to determine whether such an intervention could be implemented using public health students. The aim of this paper is to document the experiences of those who delivered and supervised the intervention. METHODS: This pilot project took place in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, in August-October 2015. Patient suitability was assessed by the supervising emergency physician. Patients were invited to receive a 10-min information session relating to asthma, hypertension or diabetes. Once the project had concluded, the students and supervisor were given a questionnaire, requiring them to reflect on their experiences of the project. Data was analysed using an inductive approach with thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Students required intensive coaching to gain the skills and confidence to deliver the intervention. The intervention was well received by patients, whose knowledge of hypertension, diabetes and asthma was poor. CONCLUSION: Health literacy among patients in Fiji is low and measures to address this must be taken. Intensive training and supervision is required for public health students to be able to deliver such activities in the ED setting.

Reducing occupational psychological distress: a randomized controlled trial of a mailed intervention.

There are increasing levels of psychological distress among general practitioners (GPs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a mailed intervention to reduce distress among 'at-risk' GPs. A questionnaire was sent to 1356 GPs from eight Divisions of General Practice. Out of 819 (60%) who responded, 233 GPs were recruited with scores indicative of psychological distress. These GPs were randomized to intervention (n = 120) or control (n = 113). The intervention consisted of a simple letter feeding back and interpreting the psychological score together with a self-help sheet. During the study, an educational program was offered to GPs by Divisions of General Practice. The main outcome measure used was changes in psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire 12) score after 3 months. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Initial analysis of the data showed borderline significance (P = 0.05). However, analysis of the data post hoc excluding GPs who participated in the educational program showed a significant reduction in psychological distress (P = 0.03). It appears that there may have been a dilution of the intervention effect. Mailed interventions are a cost-effective way of reaching at-risk GPs and may contribute to a reduction in psychological morbidity.

Psychological distress among GPs--who is at risk and how best to reach them?

OBJECTIVE: To identify key characteristics of psychologically distressed general practitioners and whether these GPs volunteered for a "GP health" educational program. SETTING: Eight Australian divisions of general practice responding to an invitation to participate in the research in 1999, representing 1356 GPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), together with demographic and practice questions. DESIGN: Observational study of GPs invited to participate in a voluntary education program on GP health offered through each division of general practice. PARTICIPANTS: 819/1356 GPs responded to the baseline questionnaire (60%). Of these, 233/819 (28%) scored above the GHQ-12 threshold indicating psychological distress. Ninety GPs enrolled in the program, data were available for 69 GPs. RESULTS: General practitioners who were identified as being psychologically distressed were over-represented in the 35-49 years age group (p=0.02) and were more likely to be the practice principal (p=0.04). Over 62% of enrolled GPs had scores that indicated none to mild distress. Of those GPs who were distressed, 42% were from the identified at risk age group, and 44% were practice principals. DISCUSSION: Alternative targeted interventions may be needed to reach GPs with high levels of psychological distress.