DR. WAJEEHA ISSUES

Hello everyone  In this first article of the BCT Series, I share a heartwarming incident that took place in a clinical setting, reminding me of the power of empathy and human connection. A Caffeine-Free Decision Let me preface this by mentioning a somewhat peculiar fact about myself – I avoid caffeine in any form for the past eight years. So, you can imagine my surprise when I decided to brew a cup of coffee for not one, but two patients in the hospital today .Lets share one. It wasn't an impulsive decision. Instead, it was a response to the circumstances that unfolded before me. The lady I made the coffee for had been suffering from a chronic health condition for decades. She was alone, with no family by her side, and visibly upset by the slow pace of the healthcare system. An Unexpected Gesture I'm not entirely sure why I decided to make coffee that day. I do not know how to make one! I thought of doing it in the hospital while on shift for someone else ( Strange!) It wasn...

Hello all, Let me first confirm the pictures in the blog have been picked up from canva :) Life's most significant transformations often happen gradually, almost imperceptibly. Yet, they leave a mark on who we become. My decision to move to the United Kingdom was more than just a relocation; it was my personal boot camp in the University of Life. I realized that change is challenging to appreciate unless it's measured, and thus, I embarked on a journey to document the little things that would make my experience worthwhile. Welcome to the Boot Camp Transformation (BCT) Series, where I share my story of measuring and embracing change over the course of stay in the UK. When I set out on this adventure, I had no idea what lay ahead. Just an opportunity to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and culturally. I decided to chronicle this transformation through the BCT Series, a collection of observations, lessons, and moments that would serve as benchmarks for my personal gro...

Hello all, Life often throws us unexpected curveballs that challenge us to step out of our comfort zones and grow as individuals. My decision to move to the United Kingdom at a not-so-conventional stage of my life was one such curveball. I viewed it as my personal odyssey, a unique opportunity to learn valuable life lessons that couldn't be acquired any other way. In this blog, I'll share my thoughts behind my unconventional move, the personal growth I hoped to achieve, and the journey that led me to the United Kingdom. Its not to seek validation but probably tick some thinking caps. After first 3 decades of life ( I know what you're thinking, haha ) reality hit and I realized that world was not as opportunist as dad told you, not as nice as mum sugar coated, not selfish as your senior told you, not as brutal as your boss told you. Its somewhere in between you are out to find your world , your balance. Seeking Independence on All Fronts As I approached a certain stage of my...

Dear all! There was no better time to write down my favorite blog. I would wonder how I would react to turning 30. I saw a lot of friends catching cold feet while they hit the milestone, some remained in denial. Honestly, I am having fun. Alhamdulillah. As I look at my previous years, I find myself reflecting on the myriad lessons life has graciously taught me. Along this journey, I've collected wisdom from various experiences, each shaping my understanding of self, relationships, and the world around me. As always I have some 'gyaan' to share. 1. Patience Is Key "What is meant for you will find its way." 'What you seek is seeking you.' This mantra has been a constant companion through the transitions—moving to a new country, navigating a different workplace, and diving into a new job. Waiting for the right moments has been a pivotal lesson. 2. Water: Nature's Elixir Amidst the whirlwind of changes, I discovered the unparalleled refreshment water offer...

Hello people Since I have cleared my OSCE in one go, I feel it's my duty to journal what all I have done to make it work.(humble brag).Thanks to ChatGPT for helping me pile up some humble generic sentence to make this blog wholesome.(Just kidding). The MRCEM OSCE exam is an integral part of the qualification which tests the clinical and communication skills of candidates. For Indian students pursuing this qualification, preparing for the MRCEM OSCE exam may seem daunting. However, with a few tips that helped me sail through fine. The thing that helped me the most is acclimatizing myself to the UK Clinical Setting Before appearing for the MRCEM OSCE exam, it is imperative for Indian students to understand the clinical setting in the UK. Sometimes , all they want to see is how you behave , your body language, your tone , and your organising skills. Diagnosis is not a critical thing here. You will not fail if you get a wrong diagnosis provided that you have done it systematically. So ...

Hey all This mandatory post was due. As someone who has taken part in life saver courses, I have always been fascinated by the idea of emergency preparedness and the importance of knowing how to react in life-threatening situations. However, there is another aspect of the emergency response field that is just as crucial to saving lives: simulation and quality improvement. The annual World Emergency Day provides us with the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the efforts of emergency responders around the globe. It also serves as a reminder to continue to improve the systems and strategies in place for efficient and effective emergency response. Simulation training is an effective tool that can be used to enhance and refine the skills of emergency responders. It provides an opportunity for real-life scenarios to be replicated in a safe, controlled environment. This enables responders to hone their skills and practice their responses to various emergencies, ensuring that ...

Hey all,  This is the only page where I think I can flex the fact that my parents endeavour to send me to English medium school was successful. Why IELTS? It's required to register your MRCEM qualification with British Medical Council. Why IELTS over OET? Doctors are paid peanuts in India. I didn't want to spend money over an English Exam.  My Result? I got 8 overal . So , I qualify to give you 2 cents on what and how to study. Online or offline? I recommend taking online exam, its smoother and less stressful. Coaching? No. Longlive YouTube. How long did I take to prepare? 1 month lazing around. Focussed 8 days. What all did I read?  Read the article. Understanding Ielts pattern.  1)This is a great video where the speaker in her Indian accent explains about the exam pattern and how to get through.  https://youtu.be/2bthz0jYges 2) E2 is all about English exams. They speak British English accent. Their videos are to the point. In fact, sometimes overboard. They ha...

Hello everyone, I'm excited to share with you all that 2023 is a reap year! It feels great to see all the hard work and effort I've put in over the past couple of years starting to take shape (Alhamdulillah!). As a resident, I was always curious and would ask numerous questions that would sometimes irritate my seniors around me. However, not much has changed except for the fact that I'm no longer a junior resident and my audience has changed. But to get to the point, I used to conduct several audits to validate my arguments, but unfortunately, none of them were published. I was only able to pull off two of them till the poster presentation stage, but that was it. Publishing my work always seemed daunting and intimidating, and I would procrastinate so much that my mentors eventually gave up on me and my research endeavors. A month after my residency, I was left feeling clueless about what to do next. However, I tapped into my potential in YouTube, podcasts and re...

Hello people,  Let's compensate for the  three months sabbatical!  My first touch to the concept of leadership was in 2020 as a team leader of 6 doctors in final year of my residency , I clearly remember me getting overwhelmed, taking a time out to let it settle. There has not been any looking back after that. Overtime, I came across the LEAD-ER course by society of emergency medicine India in 2021 which discussed subtle changes in thought process to look at the problems through a different perspective. The course was extensive where concepts were given in bits and pieces over 1 month with online interaction followed by offline face to face workshop that extended over 2 days.  My curiosity towards thinking of a leader never ceased and I continued my research on how leaders think by following podcasts of world and business leaders to broaden my horizon. One day, I stumbled upon this course by NHS Leadership academy that spoke about subtle biases we carry and face ever...

Hey all ,  Winters make you overthink and act lazy. So here I am making a comeback before summer strikes. Professional setbacks are points where you either redirection or pivot your goals or come back stronger.  The exam that really tested my persistence and grit was MRCEM Intermediate. I failed thrice .The pattern of the exam changed after my second attempt with alot of additions and subtraction . A person who was always above average had to fail to get a perspective on life and explore her personality and get a reality check.  So , I call myself an exam veteran now after having appeared for exam sitting four times. For all those enthusiastic emergency physicians who want to get over this milestone, I have some 10 cents that might help you achieve your targets. I am the best person to give you an insight on the roadblocks , I saw them all. 1. Books to avoid : Moussa Issa text book.  Reason: It's a copy of RCEM learning. The text is totally picked up line...