Ashley Simpson
Nephrology StR • Medical Education Fellow & Doctoral Candidate • Interested in Widening Participation & Professional Identity Formation • Exercise Enthusiast (with #LongCovid 😷)• Lover of Nature & the Great Outdoors • Vegan & Cruelty-free 🌿🏴
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonThis peer-led training for first-year medical and dental students from @harvardmed.bsky.social teaches skills & resources to help students support themselves & peers experiencing mental health distress & burnout. #Medsky #MedEd www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766...
- Thesis submitted! 🙌🏻 What exactly am I supposed to do with myself now?! Oh yes.... breathe ! 😌 #MedSky #MedicalEducation #QualitativeResearch #MedEdResearch #WideningParticipation #ProfessionalIdentityFormation #Doctorate #Thesis
- Filled in my 'Notice of Intention to Submit' form for my thesis. The hardest part of my research journey has been believing that I am capable. I'm almost at the finish line, and I'm still not convinced. The impostor syndrome is severe. #QualitativeResearch #MedEdResearch #WideningParticipation
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonWe just don't know what's going on in each other's lives, what we're each carrying. At best we can seek to listen & try to understand. But it's far from easy & it's important to remember this when we're feeling judgy, or like something doesnt make sense. We just don't know.
- Filled in my 'Notice of Intention to Submit' form for my thesis. The hardest part of my research journey has been believing that I am capable. I'm almost at the finish line, and I'm still not convinced. The impostor syndrome is severe. #QualitativeResearch #MedEdResearch #WideningParticipation
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonLearning happens in all sorts of places, sometimes unexpected, and development rarely follows a straightforward path.
- There are definitely worse places to be writing a thesis. Fresh air, the beautiful sound of the birds in the trees, and an ample supply of sunshine to keep spirits up! ☀️ #OneLastPush #Thesis #MedEd #MedSky #QualitativeResearch #WideningParticipation #ProfessionalIdentityFormation
- My new favourite way to start the day! ☕️ In the final fulong of thesis writing, relying heavily on the bible that is 'Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide' by @ginnybraun.bsky.social & @vicclarke.bsky.social Hoping to finish by Friday so I can enjoy some annual leave...🤞🏻 #FinalPush #MedSky #MD
- Maybe not as exciting as @drlindadykes.bsky.social's new foal, but here are our little bluetit hatchlings! Fresh out of their shells today 😊♥️
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson🚨 We're looking for a Head of Research & Policy! This is a key role in our integrated Communications, Research and Policy team, and it's a great opportunity to play a meaningful part in effecting change for disadvantaged young people. Apply by 21st May ⤵️ recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5909323...
- My biggest challenge with my research right now? Not being able to use all of the data. I am so fortunate to have so many rich, insightful narratives from my participants, I want to write about EVERYTHING! Alas, the 60k word limit is getting in the way 😒 #QualitativeResearch #MedSky #MD
- A day of annual leave well spent. Garlic & onions underway, now joined by leeks, potatoes, peas, various squash & courgettes, and a variety of salad leaves, radish & beetroot. Here's hoping we get a good harvest this year 🤞🏻🌱 Now, it's time to relax in the evening sunshine with book #12 of 2025 📚😌
- Really important work from #NHSLothianMED
- Delighted to see a summary of our work on Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare published Personal view- the human side of the story is in the supplemental materials! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... Review our web resource: www.med.scot.nhs.uk/wellbeing/se... We'd love feedback for improvement!
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonOn widening access to medical school, for people from a range of backgrounds. An editorial from @avsimpson.bsky.social and colleagues in this week’s @bmj.com suggests that efforts do this are having very limited success. #MedSky #EduSky #Inequalities
- Delighted to have been commissioned to write this editorial for the BMJ. "Only by firmly embedding widening participation in both policy and practice can we build a more inclusive profession, where opportunity is driven by potential, not privilege." #WideningAccess #WideningParticipation #MedSky
- Despite increasing efforts to widen participation, only 5% of entrants to medical school in 2021 came from the lowest socioeconomic groups. Tackling persistent inequalities in access to medicine is critical to ensure that expansion delivers a diverse future workforce www.bmj.com/content/389/...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonHaving a brother with a disability undoubtedly influenced my approach to working as a doctor. Here’s my @bmj.com piece on scary hospitals, who aren’t good at looking after people with this sort of issue. #NationalSiblingsDay #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #MedSky blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonWorking in the NHS, you just can't put a value on being able to speak freely with a supervisor- to have that level of trust & support. It's the difference that makes ALL the difference. I know I'm lucky. What a game-changer it'd be if everyone had access to regular support like this.
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonThis #WorldHealthDay we’re spotlighting the power of plant-based eating! Explore the benefits and take the first step toward going vegan! Check out our Vegan Starter Kit at PCRM.org/VeganStarterKit
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson"Try asking everyone how they prefer to work or communicate—normalise the differences between people and try to work with people’s strengths." There are ways to make workplaces feel more inclusive for neurodivergent colleagues, @abirimmer.bsky.social hears www.bmj.com/content/388/...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonMasking discourse is on again and I’ll just say if you see people masking when few others are it’s likely because they’ve determined that for them, in that setting, the benefit of not catching (or spreading) whatever’s going around is worth the cost of masking. It’s rarely more complicated than that
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonPeople experiencing homelessness have high mortality and morbidity from preventable or treatable conditions. This article explores the health impacts of homelessness and practical considerations for clinicians providing care. Includes an infographic www.bmj.com/content/388/...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonWhen people don't stand up to bad leadership, it's rarely because they don't care. It's often that they feel powerless. Learned helplessness is the pattern of giving up when we learn that events in our lives are beyond our control. The answer isn't to accept defeat. It's to find sources of power.
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."~ John Muir #nature #trails #landscape #photography
- Efforts to widen participation aren't proving as effective as we'd like them to be, with only 5%of medical school entrants coming from working class backgrounds. Why? What needs to change? What else can we do? How do we meaningfully improve the socioeconomic diversity of our workforce?
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonPeople from working class backgrounds are heavily underrepresented in the medical profession. Hear about the barriers that our alum, Yasmin, faced on her journey to qualifying as a doctor ⬇️
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonHello my name is…..needs rebooting with name, title & role : badges & introductions Without it -too much confusion -too much uncertainty -too much rom for obfuscation I like to think Dr Kate Grainger would agree www.bmj.com/content/388/...
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson"Medical students shouldn't be faced with decisions about whether to disrupt their course, or abandon their medical career entirely, because they cannot afford to live while at university." @georgeawebster.bsky.social on why medical students need more financial support www.bmj.com/content/388/...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonToday's profound observation comes from the tolerant obstetrician: "It doesn't have to be a world record to be a gold medal" All too often, the pursuit of perfection prevents the accomplishment of good. Perfect is the enemy of good enough, and people who might achieve great things, often don't.
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonIf your parent is a doctor, you're 24x more likely than the rest of us to become a doctor (@samfriedman.bsky.social & @daniellaurison.bsky.social policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/the-cl...) Would you rather be treated by a doctor with the right aptitudes, or one from the 'right' caste?
- The best (and possibly the worst) thing about having a dog is that regardless of how you feel, they still need the same level of love & attention. So even on those days when you don't feel like you can get out of bed, you must. It's the least they deserve. #MentalHealth #LongCovid #Wellbeing
- This sounds like an amazing opportunity! Sadly, I've already had my time out of training so I can't apply, but it sounds great!
- Fancy spending a year commissioning, editing, and writing content for The BMJ? Applications are now open for next year's Editorial Registrar @bmj.com. Feel free to get in touch with me if you have questions about the role -- I've loved every minute of it.
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonThey will try to squeeze as much as they can from you. Self-care for doctors is not selfish - it's survival. You can't pour from an empty cup. #MedSky #AnSky #PhysicianWellness www.the-londoner.co.uk/nhs-doctor-s...
- I've gone from running 10km & training daily, cycling hundreds of kiloms & climbing mountains & rock for fun to stumbling through most days thankful if I can manage a dog walk. I'm genuinely unsure if the future holds anything better than this for me. And that's soul destroying. #LongCovid #LC2025
- “I know your journey feels overwhelming, and the questions about the future can be heavy, but I want to tell you this; research is progressing...” Resia Pretorius @resiapretorius.bsky.social has a message for us #LC2025hopevideos #longcovidawarenessday2025 youtu.be/g5bWuGTeqyE
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonWhat a difference it makes to have a supervisor where you can speak freely, including about doubts & worries, & know you're supported. Working with people in systems is hard, it just is. Imagine if we all had access to a safe relationship, separate from line management, to help make sense of it all.
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonOn this #coviddayofreflection I'm thinking about all those that died due to #Covid19. I'm also thinking about the millions that are still struggling due to #LongCovid. Watch the Guardian video about my life with long covid to see the huge impact of this disease. www.theguardian.com/society/vide...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonExperts explain why scientists must commit to engaging with the communities they want to help at all stages of the research process — from planning to dissemination go.nature.com/4i6BuJx
- Thanks @maosbot.bsky.social. This is exactly how I've felt for the past two years as a novice researcher. It's been especially hard shifting from being a fairly confident clinician to a totally incompetent research student. I think I'm learning to lean into it, sort of. #MedEd #MedEdResearch
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonNEW: Study finds little evidence supporting the safety & efficacy of Physician & Anaesthetic Associates in the NHS. From @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social & @martinmckee.bsky.social, the largest ever UK review raises critical questions about the rapid expansion of these roles. #NHS #WorkForce @bmj.com
- Six spectacular days away in the Scottish Highlands. What a privilege it is to live in such a beautiful country. The landscape never ceases to amaze me. We are very lucky indeed (and very grateful for our campervan). 🏴♥️ #VanLife #VanLifeAdventures #VisitScotland #ScottishHighlands
- 📖 Latest paper published in Clinical Teacher on operative video use! ➡️ Students feel less prepared for surgical rotations 🔪 compared with other specialties. ➡️ Routine use of operative video 🎥 in education could help improve experience asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonShift in UK doctor demographics is welcome but imbalances remain
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
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- We could all learn something from this article. We shouldn't feel guilty for engaging in self-care behaviours. On the contrary, we should role model them. We need to push back against illness presenteeism and accept that doctors get sick too. Thank you @clairedocdavies.bsky.social for re-sharing.
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson🏥 Our new research revealed that just 5% of medical students in 2021 came from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. Change is needed to improve access to medical degrees and careers for working class youngsters. Learn more in our upcoming webinar ⬇️ buff.ly/43bqlT3
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonDon’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up Don’t give up You can do it. Don’t give up.
- Reposted by Ashley Simpson
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonWho is able to pursue a career in medicine? What types of backgrounds do our doctors come from? 🥼 Our new research will take a closer look at access to careers in medicine. Out tomorrow.
- I was gifted the latest @ianrankin1.bsky.social Rebus novel, Midnight and Blue, for Christmas. I loved it. So much so, in fact, that I've bought the entire collection! I've read many of them before, but not all, and not in order. So here's to 25 Rebus novels in 2025. #BookSky #BookWorm #Fiction
- Reposted by Ashley SimpsonWe need to face uncomfortable truths about diversity in our medical workforce - my thoughts for @bmj.com www.bmj.com/content/388/...
