Ashley Simpson
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avsimpson.bsky.social
Ashley Simpson
@avsimpson.bsky.social
790 followers 350 following 130 posts
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 🌿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
mededportal.bsky.social
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."
August 1, 2025 at 1:16 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
Thesis submitted! 🙌🏻

What exactly am I supposed to do with myself now?!

Oh yes.... breathe ! 😌

#MedSky #MedicalEducation #QualitativeResearch #MedEdResearch #WideningParticipation #ProfessionalIdentityFormation #Doctorate #Thesis
avsimpson.bsky.social Ashley Simpson @avsimpson.bsky.social · Jun 24
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
July 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
charliepsych.bsky.social
We 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.
June 25, 2025 at 7:42 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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
June 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
brigidrussell51.bsky.social
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.
June 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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.
May 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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
A coffee machine with an orange cup
May 21, 2025 at 7:21 AM
avsimpson.bsky.social
Maybe not as exciting as @drlindadykes.bsky.social's new foal, but here are our little bluetit hatchlings! Fresh out of their shells today 😊♥️
May 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
suttontrust.bsky.social
🚨 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...
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!
recruitment.suttontrust.com
May 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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
May 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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.
May 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
Really important work from #NHSLothianMED
slr-ed.bsky.social Sara Robinson (she/her) @slr-ed.bsky.social · Apr 24
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!
Diagram describing our journey in allyship moving from awareness to advocacy through study, discussion, use of critical friends, development of resources- web-based and workshops.
May 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
trishaelliott.bsky.social
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.
April 19, 2025 at 9:11 PM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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
bmj.com The BMJ @bmj.com · Apr 15
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/...
April 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
trishaelliott.bsky.social
Having 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/...
Patricia Cantley: We must remember how scary hospitals can be for our patients - The BMJ
We need to do everything we can to redress the imbalance between patients in hospital and healthcare professionals My Mum always told me to be wary of doctors, a statement [...]More...
blogs.bmj.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
charliepsych.bsky.social
Working 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.
April 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
pcrm.org
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
April 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
bmj.com
"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/...
Doctors walking around a brain
April 1, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
astrokatie.com
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
April 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
bmj.com
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/...
An infographic on homelessness
April 1, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
adamgrant.bsky.social
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.
March 31, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
atrailrunner.bsky.social
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."~ John Muir

#nature
#trails
#landscape
#photography
March 29, 2025 at 12:52 AM
avsimpson.bsky.social
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?
suttontrust.bsky.social The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · Mar 22
👎 Only a fraction of medical students come from working class backgrounds, we have found.

Our research shows that working-class people are still heavily underrepresented in medical profession, despite efforts to widen access.
Unequal Treatment? - The Sutton Trust
Unpacking the problems with access to medical degrees and careers.
www.suttontrust.com
March 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
suttontrust.bsky.social
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 ⬇️
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.
www.suttontrust.com
March 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Ashley Simpson
doctimcook.bsky.social
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/...
“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...
www.bmj.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM