Podcast
Confessions of a Doctoholic
Hosted by Hafsa Slaiman · ENGLISH
Hi, I'm Hafsa Slaiman, a surgical resident, wanderluster and extrovert. The problem though is that I hit more speed bumps than a formula one racer. Med school has proven to be far from Grey's Anatomy and my future has become more convoluted than the nephron. I’ve been away for a while but I’m back and ready to confess, but are you ready to hear it all?
This podcast reveals it all: my breakdowns, my fails, my first times, my solutions and fun medical stuff, so whether you’re a med student, premed, doc or even someone who just wants to get inspired come along and join me on my journey.
192episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Patient Who Waited for a Call That Never Came
1w ago00:10:09Tap to summarizeAn elderly patient spoke often about his son — how proud he was, how much he meant to him. But when it mattered most, the call never came. In this episode, Hafsa shares a story about expectation, family, and the moments that stay with you long after a shift ends.Have you ever realized that a relationship meant more to you… than it did to the other person?
Transcribe →The Leech That Went Missing on the Ward
2w ago00:05:08Tap to summarizeA patient recovering from complex reconstructive surgery needed an unexpected treatment: medicinal leeches. But when one of them suddenly disappeared, the entire team found themselves in a situation no one expects during residency. In this episode, Hafsa shares one of the strangest — and funniest — moments from the hospital, and why medicine is sometimes far weirder than people imagine.If your doctor told you that leeches would help your recovery… would you agree?Yes, if it worksI’d need a minute to process thatAbsolutely notI’m leaving immediately
Transcribe →The Patient Who Left… and Came Back Worse
2w ago00:12:13Tap to summarizeA patient with serious illness refuses treatment and leaves the hospital — only to return days later in a much worse condition. In this episode, Hafsa shares a real case about medical decision-making, patient autonomy, and what happens when people walk away from care.
Transcribe →The Girl Who Ran Into the Snow After a Car Crash
3w ago00:04:20Tap to summarizeAfter a car crash, a young patient does something completely unexpected — she runs into the snow and collapses in a stranger’s home. What follows is a trauma case involving major injuries, emergency surgery, and a recovery that raises more questions than answers. A story about how unpredictable trauma can be.Have you ever done something in a moment of shock or panic that didn’t make sense afterwards?
Transcribe →The Resident Who Got Fired
3w ago00:11:44Tap to summarizeNot every doctor makes it through residency. In this episode, Hafsa shares the story of a trainee who struggled, resisted help, and ultimately didn’t continue in the program. A grounded look at accountability, mental health, and the stakes of residency.
Transcribe →The Patient Who Was Bleeding… and We Couldn’t Stop It
4w ago00:07:11Tap to summarizeA patient with advanced cancer develops sudden, severe bleeding in one of the most dangerous places possible. In this episode, Hafsa shares a case that highlights the complexity of modern medicine — where every option carries risk, and stopping the bleed could mean losing something else entirely.
Transcribe →The Frostbite Case That Ended in Amputation
May 500:06:12Tap to summarizeA trauma patient with multiple injuries develops what initially looks like a simple hand issue — until it rapidly worsens. In this episode, Hafsa shares a case that started subtly but ended in a major decision: amputation. A story about recognizing patterns, trusting your instincts, and the reality of waiting in medicine.
Transcribe →The Patient Who Reminded Me of My Mum
May 100:07:22Tap to summarizeSometimes the patients who stay with you aren’t the most critical — they’re the ones you connect with. In this episode, Hafsa shares the story of a patient who spoke her language, reminded her of home, and changed how she thinks about care, presence, and compassion in medicine.Have you ever met someone who instantly reminded you of someone you love? Did it affect how you interacted with them?
Transcribe →The Night I Saw My First Emergency Thoracotomy
Apr 2800:06:48Tap to summarizeA 30-year-old patient arrives after a stab wound — no pulse, ongoing CPR, and seconds to act. In this episode, Hafsa shares her first experience witnessing an emergency thoracotomy, one of the most extreme procedures in trauma care. A raw, real-time story of chaos, teamwork, and the limits of medicine.
Transcribe →The 10-Minute Massage That Saved My Night Shift
Apr 2400:07:14Tap to summarizeIn the middle of a long and exhausting night shift, something completely unexpected happened — a massage therapist walked onto the unit. In this episode, Hafsa shares a lighter story about burnout, small resets, and how even 10 minutes can change your entire mindset.When was the last time you took a real break without feeling guilty and what did you do?
Transcribe →