DOC HEAL THYSELF

HUMAN TOUCH  

He looked relaxed .

He smiled at me

 He listened to me ,

Without  interrupting  me,

He asked questions politely.

I was examined  carefully and gently ,

Starting with a warm touch on my hand ,

Followed by a thorough  physical examination,

He  observed , palpated , percussed ,

 Last was auscultation,

We conversed  and discussed ,

Before  being advised ,

Of investigations and management

My fears I expressed 

My thoughts I shared 

I felt satisfied  and half cured 

NO HUMAN TOUCH  

TECHNOLOGY   TOUCH 

He looked occupied and  busy.

As if I was making him dizzy,

He was on his mobile,
He   cut  short my talk ,

His questioning was curt ,

His look was noncommittal

He examined a little ,

Just  a momentary auscultation,

No other examination ,

Wrote a list of investigations,

Cut short my queries ,

No time for discussion 

Just possibilities listed
He said  follow the note written ,

I  was fearfully smitten ,

Did not know what to deduce,

I was  confused.

MEDICAL TEACHING THEN

Standing at the  patients bedside 

Talking to him with smiles ,

All good intentions implied 

Consultant  expert by our side.

The patient was the focus of teaching,

Positive physical findings ,

Examination methods guided 

Were shown and highlighted,
At a little distance we  shifted ,

Clinical possibilities discussed,

Investigations needed  questioned ,

Investigations done analyzed,

Further discussions  encouraged

Self study inspired .

MEDICAL TEACHING NOW 

Sitting in the conference room,

Only students   and  consultant,

No patient in  movement ,

History and findings presented,

Clinical skills discarded ,

X-rays and scans projected,

Other reports  scrutinized , 

Investigative  technology advanced ,

Investigations form the focus of teaching,

Hardly   any scope for grey areas,

Diagnosis  tech made ,

Discussions hence shortened

No doubts entertained.

No self study inspired  .