What Is a Growth Mindset—and Why Junior Doctors Can’t Afford to Ignore It

You’re tired. You’re working long shifts, studying for exams, and trying to stay afloat in a system that often feels unforgiving. You might be wondering if you’re cut out for this, or if you’re just barely keeping up. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Junior doctors across Australia and beyond are facing unprecedented levels of burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt. The pressure to perform is relentless, and the fear of failure can feel overwhelming. But there’s one powerful tool that can help you not just survive—but thrive—in this environment: your mindset. That’s why it’s worth asking: what is a growth mindset, and how can it support you through the challenges of medical training?

This article explores the concept of a growth mindset, a psychological framework that can transform how you learn, how you respond to setbacks, and how you build resilience in the face of pressure. We’ll answer the question:

What is a growth mindset?

And we’ll walk through:

• Why it matters in the context of medical training and junior doctor life
• What the research says about the growth mindset in healthcare education
• Practical strategies to help you shift your mindset and build resilience

Whether you’re preparing for exams, recovering from a setback, or simply trying to stay motivated, understanding and cultivating a growth mindset could be the most important step you take toward a sustainable and successful career in medicine.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and competence can be developed through effort, feedback, and persistence—not fixed traits you either have or don’t. This concept, pioneered by psychologist Carol Dweck, has transformed how educators and learners approach performance, failure, and personal development (Dweck, 2016).

In contrast, a fixed mindset assumes that talent and intelligence are static. People with a fixed mindset often avoid challenges, fear feedback, and interpret failure as a reflection of their identity. In medicine, this can be devastating. Here are some key differences between a growth and fixed mindset.

Why a Growth Mindset Matters for Junior Doctors

Junior doctors are navigating one of the most demanding phases of their careers. You’re expected to deliver safe, compassionate care while simultaneously preparing for high-stakes exams, managing shift work, and coping with emotionally intense clinical environments.

In this context, what is a growth mindset becomes more than a theoretical question - it’s a practical tool for survival and success.

6 Reasons Why a Growth Mindset Matters

1. It Builds Resilience in the Face of Setbacks	2. It Enhances Learning and Performance	3. Reduces Burnout and Promotes Wellbeing
4. Fosters Compassionate Care	5. Strengthens Teamwork/Collaboration	6. It Helps You Stay in the Profession

1. It Builds Resilience in the Face of Setbacks

Doctors in training experience higher rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression than almost any other professional group.

A growth mindset helps buffer against these pressures by reframing setbacks as opportunities for learning rather than signs of inadequacy.

In a recent study, oncology trainees who adopted a growth mindset reported greater resilience and improved mental health outcomes (Hopkins et al., 2024).

2. It Enhances Learning and Performance

Medical education is built on continuous assessment—written exams, clinical evaluations, and peer feedback.

A growth mindset encourages junior doctors to engage with feedback constructively, persist through difficult rotations, and adapt their learning strategies.

Research shows that students with a growth mindset perform better academically and are more likely to retain complex clinical knowledge (Reinking, 2024).

3. A Growth Mindset Reduces Burnout and Promotes Wellbeing

Burnout among junior doctors is not just common—it’s systemic.

Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment are all symptoms of a system that demands perfection but rarely supports recovery.

A growth mindset helps junior doctors maintain motivation and emotional balance by focusing on progress over perfection (Reinking, 2024).

4. A Growth Mindset Fosters Compassionate, Patient-Centered Care

Doctors with a growth mindset are more likely to reflect on their practice, seek improvement, and remain open to new approaches. This mindset not only improves clinical performance but also enhances empathy and communication - critical components of patient-centered care.

5. A Growth Mindset Strengthens Teamwork and Collaboration

Modern healthcare is built on multidisciplinary teamwork. Junior doctors must collaborate with nurses, allied health professionals, senior clinicians, and peers—often under pressure. A growth mindset fosters openness to feedback, humility in learning from others, and a willingness to contribute constructively to team dynamics. Doctors who embrace this mindset are more likely to build trust, communicate effectively, and adapt to diverse working styles, which ultimately improves patient outcomes and workplace culture.

6. A Growth Helps You Stay in the Profession

In a culture where failure is stigmatized and competition is intense, many junior doctors internalize setbacks and question their place in medicine. A growth mindset offers a healthier narrative: “I’m still learning. I’m growing. I belong here.” This shift can be the difference between staying in the profession or walking away.

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset as a Junior Doctor

Developing a growth mindset isn’t about simply “thinking positive.” It’s about deliberately rewiring how you respond to stress, feedback, and failure—especially in high-pressure environments like hospitals. Here’s how junior doctors can begin to shift their mindset in practical, sustainable ways:

1. Start with Self-Awareness

The first step is noticing your internal dialogue. Are you telling yourself:

• “I’m just not good at this.”
• “I’ll never pass this exam.”
• “I’m not cut out for this specialty.”

These are fixed mindset statements. Instead, pause and reframe:

• “I’m still learning this skill.”
• “I haven’t passed… yet.”
• “This is hard, but I can improve.”

2. Use the “Yet” Strategy

Carol Dweck’s research shows that adding the word “yet” to a limiting belief can shift your brain into a learning mode (Dweck, 2006). For example:

• “I don’t understand this topic… yet.”
• “I’m not confident in OSCEs… yet.”

This small linguistic shift opens the door to possibility and reduces the emotional sting of imperfection.

3. Track Progress, Not Perfection

Junior doctors often focus on what they haven’t mastered. Instead, keep a training diary to reflect on:

• What you learned today
• What you struggled with
• What you’re improving on

This reinforces the idea that growth is incremental and visible over time. In our book we recommend scoring your wellbeing and study quality daily to build awareness and motivation.

4. Practice Self-Compassion

Medical culture often equates self-worth with performance. But research shows that self-compassion enhances motivation and resilience - especially after failure (Neff, 2003). When you make a mistake, ask:

• What would I say to a colleague in this situation?
• How can I support myself through this?

Self-compassion is not weakness—it’s a performance enhancer.

5. Seek Feedback—and Use It

Doctors with a growth mindset actively seek feedback and use it to improve. Instead of fearing critique, ask:

• “What’s one thing I could do better next time?”
• “How would you approach this differently?”

Feedback is not a judgment—it’s a roadmap for growth.

6. Surround Yourself with Growth-Oriented People

Mindset is contagious. Studies show that when supervisors and peers model a growth mindset, trainees are more likely to adopt one themselves (Himmelberger et al., 2024). Look for mentors who:

• Normalize failure
• Encourage reflection
• Celebrate effort and improvement

Here are some ways that you can change your mindset to a more growth-orientated path.

Final Thoughts: Growth Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Lifeline 

If you’re a junior doctor, you already know that the path you’ve chosen is demanding. You’re expected to be competent, compassionate, and constantly improving - often with little time, support, or space to reflect.

In this environment, a growth mindset isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Why...well because...

• It’s what allows you to say, “I’m still learning,” instead of “I’m not good enough.”
• It’s what helps you bounce back from failure, rather than internalize it as a verdict.
• It’s what keeps you curious, open, and resilient—even when the system feels stacked against you.

Cultivating a growth mindset doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges. It means facing them with a mindset that says, “I can grow through this.” 

It’s not about being perfect - it’s about being willing.

...Willing to reflect.

...Willing to adapt.

...Willing to keep going.

And here’s the truth: the medical system may not always nurture your growth. But you can!

You can choose to build habits that support your learning, your wellbeing, and your long-term success. You can choose to surround yourself with people who lift you up. You can choose to treat yourself with the same compassion you offer your patients.

Because growth isn’t just about passing exams—it’s about becoming the kind of doctor, colleague, and human you want to be.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself: “What is my mindset telling me right now?”

And more importantly: “Is it helping me grow?”

References

Dweck, C. S. (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Ballantine Books.

Hopkins, S. R., Rae, V. I., Smith, S. E., & Tallentire, V. R. (2024). Trainee growth vs. fixed mindset in clinical learning environments: Enhancing, hindering and Goldilocks factors. BMC Medical Education, 24, Article 1199. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06211-6