Difference in the Characteristics of Imposter Syndrome in Dental Students of Preclinical and Clinical Phase

Background: People suffering from imposter syndrome despite being competent consider themselves less skillful and incapable. Such individuals are also more prone to regret their choice of career with consequent early drop out, experience burnout, more prone to medical errors, absenteeism and low job satisfaction.  The current study aims to determine the difference in the characteristics of imposter syndrome in dental students of preclinical and clinical phase and its gender predisposition. Objectives: 1. To find out the frequency and characteristics of imposter syndrome among dental students. 2. To evaluate the differences in the characteristics of imposter syndrome among dental students of preclinical and clinical year. 3. To determine gender predisposition of imposter syndrome among dental students. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 138 dental students of CMH Lahore Medical and Dental College. A validated questionnaire (Clance IP Scale) containing 20 items with 5-point Likert scale was used to collect data by convenient sampling technique. The characteristics of IP were determined by adding the scores of all items. Descriptive statistics were done, chi-square applied, p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: One hundred and thirty-eight students filled the IP Scale. The frequency of imposter syndrome is found to be 52.1% among Dental Students. Majority (72) of the dental students have frequent to intense imposter feelings. There is non-significant difference in the IP characteristics of male and female students. No significant difference in the characteristics of imposter syndrome is found between dental students of preclinical and clinical year. Conclusions: There frequency of imposter syndrome is high among Dental students. Non-significant difference in the IP characteristics is found between male and female students as well as students of preclinical and clinical year.

Sino-Indian Quest for Hegemony in South Asia: Implications for Pakistan

The South Asian region attains great importance due to its strategic location and its close vicinity to the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. China and India are major countries of this region with conflicting aspirations and incompatible goals. China has had differences with India on border issues and considers it as a potential adversary in her struggle for security, power, status and influence in the region. China has attained triumph in economic field and its GDP overstepped Japan, Germany and UK. It is becoming a significant part of the economic life for most states of the world. Moreover, China’s economic potency enabled it to connect to international economic structure, initiate relationships and established institutions which will potentially lead to a more China centric world economic order. In the military field, it holds advance military and strategic nuclear force and is making efforts to further advance and modernize these assets. India is making efforts for strengthening its economy and sophisticating its weaponry, but it is far behind China in many fields. Moreover, both countries are using various tools for expanding their power and influence in the region. However, this contest between the two South Asian giants offers many opportunities and present various challenges for Pakistan. The Pak-China alliance facilitates Pakistan to achieve economic development, to advance its military capabilities and to raise its dignity at the regional and global level. Moreover, strong Pak-China bonds will enable Beijing to limit India’s desire to rise as a regional giant, to increase her position against India and to counterbalance the Indo-US strategic partnership.