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Robot doctors turn screens on patients
'He had an awfully mechanically bedside manner...'

By Reuters

Published: Thursday 19 May 2005

A pair of robots have started work at a London hospital.

The 5-foot high robots, nicknamed "Sister Mary" and "Doctor Robbie", are controlled remotely by a doctor via a joystick - allowing doctors to visually examine and communicate with patients, whether they are in another part of the hospital or even another part of the world.

Dr Ara Darzi, head of surgery, anesthetics and intensive care at London's prestigious Imperial College and also a practicing surgeon at St Mary's hospital in Paddington, west London, said in a statement: "This is a revolutionary concept which opens new avenues in telemedicine research and integrates technology with health care."

Doctors can look at patients thanks to a camera mounted on top of the robot while patients can see their doctors via a screen on each robot's "face".

Patients can be asked questions and medical records - such as X-rays and test results - can be read.

As part of a pilot study, patients will be assessed as to how they respond to the robots' metallic ministrations.