DR. WAJEEHA ISSUES

In the not-so-distant past, my instinctive reaction to criticism or conflict was to raise defensive walls. Apologizing was a sign of weakness, an admission that I might be wrong. Little did I realize that this defensive strategy was not only isolating me but also hindering authentic connections. The transformation began when I started to view apologies not as surrender but as a means of fostering understanding. It's not about accepting blame for the sake of it; it's about acknowledging the impact of my words or actions on others. The shift from defense to apology wasn't instantaneous – it took conscious effort and self-reflection. Professionally, the apology reflex has become a valuable tool in my toolkit. Admitting mistakes doesn't diminish my credibility; it enhances it. Clients and colleagues appreciate authenticity. They can sense when an apology is genuine, and this authenticity builds trust – a currency more valuable than any professional facade . Sure, there were

Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of communication – a realm where I used to wade through murky waters of suppressed frustration. Not too long ago, my go-to move was expressing a vague discomfort, mumbling a half-hearted "this bothers me." It was like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded, stumbling over my words and hoping someone would decipher the hidden message. But oh boy, have things changed. The evolution from that mumbled mess to confidently asserting my needs has been nothing short of a revelation. It's not just about stringing words together; it's about finding my voice, loud and clear. Assertive communication is a skill I didn't even know I needed until I stumbled upon it. It's not about being confrontational or domineering; it's about standing up for myself, expressing my thoughts, and ensuring my needs are acknowledged. The power of this transformation is palpable, not just in my personal relationships but in every nook and cranny of my exi

In the grand scheme of life, we often find comfort in the familiar phrase, "That's just how I am." It's a shield we use to protect ourselves from the daunting prospect of change. But let me tell you, I've embarked on a transformative journey that shattered this shield, replacing it with an armor of self-awareness and an eagerness for growth. For the longest time, admitting to imperfections felt like peeling off layers of my identity. I clung to the notion that these quirks and idiosyncrasies were an inherent part of me. Little did I realize that this very resistance to change was hindering my personal and professional development. The revelation hit me like a lightning bolt - the power to evolve lies in acknowledging our shortcomings. Instead of brushing off feedback with a casual shrug and a nonchalant "That's just how I am," I started embracing the discomfort that comes with recognizing areas for improvement. It was like flipping a switch, illumina

Greetings from the Boot Camp Transformation Series!  Today, I want to share a candid moment that unfolded during my journey, reminding me that amidst the hustle, kindness can be the quiet hero. Picture this: the daily grind, the relentless march of tasks, and suddenly, a curveball—I wasn't feeling my best. In the spirit of prioritizing well-being, I took a day off. Now, in the corporate jungle, taking a sick day can sometimes feel like a complicated chess move, but this time was different. As I scrolled my phone with one eye open, I checked my messages and found a note from my line manager. No, it wasn't the standard message. Instead, a thoughtful message greeted me. She shared that she would postpone the meeting and expressed genuine concern for my well-being. "Glad you're taking your health seriously. Really hope you feel better soon," she wrote. In that moment, amidst sniffles and a box of tissues, I felt a warmth that had nothing to do with my well being. Some

Hello all In the boot camp of my Quality Improvement (QI) journey, a pivotal feedback session with my QI manager became a defining moment. She delved into the nuances of my progress, probing into the depths of my confidence. The question hung in the air: "How would you feel talking to executives?" I hesitated, admitting a certain consciousness when presenting to top-tier leadership. My QI manager, with a knack for unraveling barriers, probed further. "You've engaged with the CEO and Chief Medical Officer successfully. How did those interactions go?" In a moment of self-reflection, I acknowledged that I had articulated my ideas clearly in those high-stakes encounters. The revelation set the stage for a breakthrough. "Then who are these executives you are conscious about now?" she questioned, gently nudging me to confront the specter of self-doubt. As I took a moment to reflect, a realization unfolded—I had navigated the upper echelons of the organizatio

Good morning lovely people!  It's time to share a gem from the trenches—a tale of congratulations, handshakes, and a pregnant pause that left me questioning my Englishness. Picture this: a typical shift, the fluorescent lights humming, and excitement buzzing in the air, when suddenly, baby news dropped like confetti on a weekend. In the midst of the hustle, a staff member, realized she was expecting. Cue the joyous congratulations from colleagues, including yours truly. Now, I happened to overhear the baby banter and, like any good boot camper, joined the congratulations chorus. In the spirit of camaraderie, I strolled over to offer my hearty congratulations to the new mum. With a big grin, I extended my hand for a good ol' handshake. But wait for it—the unexpected twist came when she shot me a look that could rival a cat caught mid-sneak attack, ignored the outstretched hand, and thanked me with a nod before darting off. Well, slap my knee and call me befuddled! There I stood,

 Hello all, Here in UK , I realized cycling is a basic life skill that can save a lot of time, also a great exercise. I recently embarked on a journey that could rival Odysseus' epic tale—sans the sea monsters and sirens but with a fair share of wobbling. The quest? Cycling, a seemingly simple art I'd failed to master in seven different phases of my life. I'd tried it everything, to an extent of buying a cycle from a stipend back in India, each attempt as graceful as a giraffe on roller skates. Then came the revelation—the eureka moment that balance was not just a metaphor for life but a literal skill I needed to conquer. There I was, a grown adult, ready to confront my nemesis—my bicycle. My dad, who had come in here to visit me agreed to help me again. Yeah , a 30 year old woman going back to her dad to learn cycling. He went out of his way got the bicycle for me as I worked through my clinical shifts. He saw me wobble down on the first step a couple of times and offered

  I struggled to a complete my ALS bit more than ACLS. "ACLS was a cakewalk , why are you struggling here? "Voice in my head kept playing.My mind was a bit more confused . I wondered why my flow was not smooth. We were allotted mentors during the session , they took some time out to practice with me separately where I realised I was mixing subtle things from ACLS with ALS. The defibrillation steps, some of the management. The defibrillator we used back in India was different and the safety issues there were different. Despite having cleared MRCEM OSCE where you do ALS , this was different.Probably because it was appropriate in that setting and the machinery there was familiar. Reflecting from it I realised that my mind was UNLEARNING and RELEARNING. There were times where there was a shortcircuit and fireworks. There is no perfect way of doing things, its what works as per your situation and setting. So far so much!

Hello folks A few weeks ago, I received a special invitation that led me to the picturesque town of Bicester. Having never set foot in Bicester before, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to explore the town and learn something new. What added a unique twist to the experience was that the event was hosted at a charming resort – a rarity in the UK. With a sense of anticipation and excitement, I eagerly accepted the invitation, not entirely certain of what the day held in store for me. The day began with warm introductions and icebreakers, setting the stage for a day filled with collaboration and bonding. Our group was a diverse mix, consisting of administrators, nurses, physiotherapists, and more. The day's theme was inspired by the Honey Badger spirit, a suggestion from one of our Australian team members. The Honey Badger, an animal surprisingly found in India, served as a symbol for our team – a creature known for its resilience, adaptability to various environments, thick skin,

Hello As I stepped into the room filled with leaders in emergency medicine in London, a wave of nervousness washed over me. This was one of my first high-profile conferences in the UK, and I couldn't help but feel like a fish out of water. I had spent days meticulously planning every detail – from my outfit to my introduction – in an attempt to make a good impression. I settled on wearing a light pink and black outfit, thinking it would convey a sense of approachability, warm and friendliness. However, as I looked around the room, I couldn't help but notice that most attendees were clad in shades of black, blue, and grey. My initial confidence waned, and I suddenly felt conspicuous in my pastel attire.                                                  This is AI generated image As the conference kicked off, I introduced myself to a few attendees and quickly realized that my worries about wardrobe choices were a bit misplaced. The content of the conference was far more important

  Hello all Today was a bit of a rollercoaster. Someone made me feel less-than, like I wasn't worth much. I think more than others its the imposter syndrome from within that makes me question. But when I took a step back and looked at my day, I saw something pretty cool. I learned how to roast chicken, ( Youtube university) and I pulled off hosting a party for eight awesome people. It hit me – despite the rough start, I had an amazing day. If I met somebody who would pull this off and feel unworthy of themselves , I would pep them up. Life's boot camp taught me that even when someone tries to rain on your parade, there's always a silver lining waiting to shine through. Cheers to learning, growing, and turning the not-so-great moments into something amazing! 🌟 Here is a picture :) So far so much Cheers!

Hello everyone, In the middle of my busy night shift when I was working in the pediatric emergency department, a little dynamo named 'L' brightened up everything. This five-year-old with big blue eyes brought a daily dose of joy into the routine chaos of medical tasks. 'L' and I had our own special routine. We'd chat about superheroes, give each other high-fives like we were champions, and turn taking medicine into a playful adventure. Pills became magic potions, and inhalers were dragons to be conquered. It was a couple of hours they were in ED. He said he does not like the colors initially later after lot of 'talking' he gave in. It was finally to say goodbye to the lovely family with some medicines and advice. As I glanced at him, with a quick, excited shuffle, he handed me a crumpled paper from his coloring book. On it was a drawing of a blue elephant – his masterpiece. His eyes sparkled with innocence as he scampered away, leaving me with a heart full o

Hello all, Welcome back to the BCT Series, where life is an adventure, and the challenges are as diverse as the flavors in a well-cooked meal. In this edition, we delve into the world of "Code Kitchen," where my culinary journey evolved from disaster to delight, all thanks to a dash of homesickness and a sprinkle of Emergency Room (ED) magic.  Kitchen Catastrophes to Culinary Triumphs: Let's rewind the clock to a time when ordering takeout was my culinary specialty. I was a horrible cook, to put it mildly. However, fate took me to the UK, and homesickness became the unexpected sous chef in my kitchen. Yearning for the tastes of home, I decided to brave the world of pots, pans, and spices. My culinary experiments began with ambitious attempts to mimic my mum's cooking. Spoiler alert: it didn't go well initially. Burnt offerings and unidentifiable concoctions became my signature dishes. But, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention, or in my case, the mothe

Hello Welcome to the latest edition of the BCT Series - where getting from point A to point B feels like solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. If you've ever been accused of having a personal vendetta against maps, I'd be the undisputed gold medalist. Yes, dear reader, you are officially a member of the Directionally Challenged Club, and this is your time to shine. The Chronicles of Lost-and-Found: Remember that time you tried to catch a bus in Oxford but ended up on a magical mystery tour of the city's back alleys? Or the thrilling adventure of missing trains in London and Reading, as if they were playing hide-and-seek with you? If getting lost were a profession, you'd be the CEO of your very own 'Lost Enterprises.' My friends don't just call me "directionally challenged"; they've probably considered putting a GPS tracker on. But hey, who needs a sense of direction when you can turn every journey into an unexpected adventure, right? Google M

Hello Welcome back to my boot camp transformation series, where I'm sharing my journey of unlearning and relearning in a candid, humorous, and fun way. Let me take you through an eye-opening experience I had at a Quality Improvement (QI) conference, where mental health was a major topic of discussion. Trust me, this one's a rollercoaster! Mental Health Matters  I found myself at a QI conference, and let's just say it was a mental health extravaganza. Mental health was the star of the show, and I was about to get an education that I never expected. The highlight of the conference? A lived-in experience practitioner for mental health patients. This person was like a real-life superhero, helping not only those struggling with mental health but also their families understand why they behaved the way they did. It was a revelation, to say the least. Unconscious Bias and the Elephant in the Room One of the most fascinating takeaways from the conference was the discussion on uncons

Hey there, fellow explorers of life and self-improvement!  Buckle up because I'm about to take you on a hilarious ride through my boot camp transformation series.  Picture this: I'm on a quest to unlearn and relearn, and one of the first things I need to do is drop the massive baggage of my past perceptions. In particular, I've got some juicy stories about my experiences with doctors back in my homeland that I just have to share. Unlearning My Past Perceptions: So, in my old stomping grounds, doctors were like the wise sages of the medical world. The whole experience often felt like an episode of "Doctor Knows Best." Sure, they were experts, but I couldn't help but think they needed a dose of humility with their prescription pads especially with their junior colleagues! A Diametrically Opposite World: Fast forward to my new digs, and boy, have things taken a turn! Here, it's like doctors are the rock stars of the healthcare scene but they are not the only