This contraption is a reinforcement of the medieval conception of a doctor’s authority to OVERSEE a proceeding. There must be four or five medically competent individuals in attendance just to roll this thing in. It’s sole purpose is the reinforcement of the elevated status of the physician, IMHO. I saw this on TV, and from my point of view as a prospective patient, I’d just as soon go ahead and die as subject myself to this absurd humiliation.
Yeah, why not just show the doctor’s face on the TV that’s already in the patient room, and discreetly wheel up (or pull out from the wall) a small camera? A whole robot would weird me out and I am no tech ignoramus.
Not that I would mind a cyber-look by the physician, if he could not actually come in and be there in person.