Doctor? Poem by Patricia Denise Newman

Long ago, in days gone by, when I was very small
we had a family doctor, one I knew that I could call.
Today things are very different, when I feel very ill
the first thing that is required of me is a form I have to fill.

Medicine has progressed so far, beyond imagining
but I do miss our dear doctor who had time for everything.
I miss the old familiar things, like knowing who you'd see
that caring smile of welcome and their knowing it was me.

Our doctor knew our family, their ills and little quirks
nowadays we rarely see a doctor without computer perks.
Today we're lucky to see any doctor, or one that knows your name
they smile at you politely, then ask you why you came.

We rarely see the same doctor, so continuity is unknown
that reliance on their computer is often widely shown.
Sometimes we'd see a nurse instead whose speciality
is on their specific subject, not particularly on me.

It's a sad reflection on these doctors that they cannot spare their time
getting to know their patient, not just their history online.
The familiar family doctors have had to change their ways
but I do wish they were still here in these uncertain days.