Seeing a patient is of some value...but a hands on examination provides info mere visual exam cannot, such as the relative size of the liver/spleen....feeling the musculature for spasm....assessing Deep Tendon Reflexes (very important in prescribing narcotics for back pain)...see if you have severe back pain, and you have no DTR's....a physician who prescribes a narcotic to treat the pain without addressing the emergent need for you to correct the root problem, will lead to permanent nerve damage...so there are reasons why a physical exam is a requirment.