Category Archives: Phd

Teaching pelvic floor muscle exercise is like, really tricky

As a Women’s Health Physiotherapist I understand the challenge of teaching a woman to correctly contract and relax her pelvic floor muscles (PFMs).  The concern is not necessarily how strong the muscles are but how well they coordinate especially under high pressure situations.  Previous studies have confirmed the difficulty in teaching the correct technique andContinue reading “Teaching pelvic floor muscle exercise is like, really tricky”

Judging a book by it’s cover

In research, we know not to form assumptions, be swayed by your own biases or to make unfounded judgements.  This often creates a natural instinct to critically appraise everything that crosses your path.  This has trickled into my real life as now my eyes are drawn to typos and I have become quite skeptical ofContinue reading “Judging a book by it’s cover”

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Month – a Nepali perspective

June is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) awareness month and a time for increased engagement and conversation around this common condition. There are many many websites and blog posts on the risk factors, symptoms, treatment options and preventative measures so I think I’ll jump straight to my expertise – POP in Nepal. There is a highContinue reading “Pelvic Organ Prolapse Month – a Nepali perspective”

Hindsight is not always everything

It was not until I started writing up the results for a manuscript that I was suddenly and dramatically struck with most certain clarity! Upon reflection of my research study I found myself starting to question every decision made. This microscopic scrutinisation effortlessly highlighted every flaw, leaving me with a heavy sinking feeling. In hindsightContinue reading “Hindsight is not always everything”

Communicating in an Academic world: 101

It’s taken me almost two years to finally figure out how to respond to emails from those in the Academic world.  During the first year of my PhD, email correspondence was fraught with misunderstandings, bruised egos and then meetings to clear up the misunderstandings.  Email communication is tricky especially when you don’t know each otherContinue reading “Communicating in an Academic world: 101”

We have ALL experienced racism

With all this media hoopla lately on discrimination, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own situation. Upon deep self-reflection, I know for a fact that I’ve been treated differently because of who I am and how I look.   So who, may you ask, am I? I would say that I am a smallish whiteContinue reading “We have ALL experienced racism”

The second year slump: keeping motivated mid PhD

The first 14 months of my PhD were like a crazy rollercoaster that amazingly left me standing solidly at the end of the ride.  There were so many ups and down with moments of pure joy and immense concern.  Within this first year I was able to see two ethics applications approved, conducted four research projects,Continue reading “The second year slump: keeping motivated mid PhD”