iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Ashley Simpson

MedEdPORTAL @mededportal.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

This 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...

A group of doctors speak to each other around a small table. White text at the bottom of the image reads "Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Training: A National Model for Peer Support for Medical and Dental Students."

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

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

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Brigid Russell @brigidrussell51.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Learning happens in all sorts of places, sometimes unexpected, and development rarely follows a straightforward path.

Two trees with very bendy trunks and exposed roots standing in the foreground against a backdrop of a large cluster of trees with many wiggly branches and a vibrant green canopy of leaves.

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

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

A garden scene with trees and blue skies in the distance, a vegetal patch in the middle with onions and garlic growing, and a laptop in the foreground.

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

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

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Maybe not as exciting as @drlindadykes.bsky.social's new foal, but here are our little bluetit hatchlings! Fresh out of their shells today 😊♥️

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

🚨 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...

recruitment.suttontrust.com

Head of Research & Policy - The Sutton Trust

Do you have a deep interest in issues of educational equity, social mobility and increasing opportunity? Apply to be our Head of Research & Policy!

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

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

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

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 📚😌

A view of raised beds in a garden, with sprouts of onion and garlic in the foreground. In the background, there are three trees, and blue skies.

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Trisha Elliott @trishaelliott.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

On 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

As the UK government plans to double places at medical school by 2031,' The Sutton Trust's Unequal
Treatment? report offers a timely analysis of how this expansion could either mitigate or entrench existing disparities.? The report shows that, despite increasing efforts to widen participation, only 5% of entrants in 2021 came from the lowest socioeconomic groups. This reflects a longstanding trend: students from less affluent backgrounds are less likely to apply and less likely to receive offers to study medicine.
While the Sutton Trust urges greater
collaboration between medical schools and more consistency across admissions processes, it stops short of prescribing nationally agreed widening participation criteria.
Standardised approaches would improve transparency, support accountability, and ensure that efforts are better targeted towards those facing the greatest barriers.

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Physicians Committee @pcrm.org · 07/04/2025

This #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

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

The BMJ @bmj.com · 01/04/2025

"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/...

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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 02/04/2025

Masking 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

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

The BMJ @bmj.com · 01/04/2025

People 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/...

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Adam Grant @adamgrant.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

When 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.

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Saulius @atrailrunner.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."~ John Muir #nature #trails #landscape #photography

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

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?

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

People 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 ⬇️

suttontrust.com

Defying the odds: Yasmin’s journey to becoming a doctor - The Sutton Trust

We spoke to our alum, Yasmin, about her pursuit of a career in medicine.

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

doctimcook.bsky.social @doctimcook.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Hello 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/...

bmj.com

“Hello, my name is” introductions and badges need updating to include full name, title, and role

Staff should introduce themselves with their title, name, and role and have badges clearly detailing this to avoid confusion and misdirection, writes Tim Cook The “Hello, my name is” campaign, set up...

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

The BMJ @bmj.com · 21/02/2025

"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/...

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Rob Fleming @robjimfleming.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Today'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.

A Love Heart sweet stating "just be you", resting in the palm of the perfectionist photographer and all round idiot who posts from this account. Taken with a very imperfect Canon 400D and a cheap nifty fifty lens.

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Duncan Exley @duncanexley.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

If 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?

policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

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

A Rhodesian ridgeback dog running through woodland

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

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!

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Dr Nav Sidhu @drnavsidhu.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

They 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...

the-londoner.co.uk

The lonely death of Dr Jagdip Sidhu

He was a rising star of the NHS. Could his work have contributed to his death?

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

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

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Darren Parkinson @greendarrenshipley.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

On 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...

theguardian.com

‘The pandemic isn’t over’: my year of long Covid – video

Darren Parkinson is one of about 2 million people living with long Covid in England and Scotland. The illness is having a detrimental impact on his life, stopping him from being the kind of active and...

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Nature @nature.com · 08/03/2025

Experts 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

go.nature.com

Use your research to beat health inequities: four strategies from experts

Scientists must commit to engaging with the communities they want to help at all stages of the research process — from planning to dissemination.

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

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

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

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

A dark blue VW transporter campervan with silver wheels parked pointing towards a mountain. The sky is blue but with lots of fluffy clouds. There is a puddle on the ground, in which the reflection of the camper, the clouds, and the mountain can be seen.

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

“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.”

thebetter.news

Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need - scoop.me

In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Why? The country applies the "Housing First" concept agains homelessness.

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

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.

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

🏥 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

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Reposted by Ashley Simpson

Tatiana Prowell, MD @tmprowell.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

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 Don’t give up You can do it. Don’t give up.

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Emma Runswick @redrunswick.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

🚨We’ve heard that doctors affected by the MRCP error are being told they will not be able to progress their HST applications. Urgent advice: do not withdraw any application & continue applying if you are affected. If you are prevented from applying keep emails and screenshots. #MedSky #UKMedSky

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The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Who 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.

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Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

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

A white flaoting bookshelf with 25 novels, bookended by two yellow plantpots.

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