Buying equipment before starting

[el_duderino]

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Does it make sense to buy any gear like a stethoscope or reflex hammer before classes start? I see you can get the Littmann scopes engraved if you buy them online, which seems like a good way to tag your own so it doesn't get swiped or mixed up. I don't want to show up the first class and find out I'll be needing it that week or something and not have time to order one online.

Edit: Doh, meant to put this in the med student forum..

 

[EMDO2018]

I would wait until school starts before you buy anything.

 

[justAstudent]

You should probably ask MS2s or current MS1s at the school you're going to attend. Some schools give you those things as part of tuition. Other schools require you to buy them yourself.

 

[cyberchicken001]

Does it make sense to buy any gear like a stethoscope or reflex hammer before classes start? I see you can get the Littmann scopes engraved if you buy them online, which seems like a good way to tag your own so it doesn't get swiped or mixed up. I don't want to show up the first class and find out I'll be needing it that week or something and not have time to order one online.

Edit: Doh, meant to put this in the med student forum..

I'm also super excited to start... But this is just too much

 

[chillaxbro]

Also at some schools, students buy things in bulk as a class so it's cheaper

 

[ventulus18]

In the first week of class, a rep was given the opportunity to speak to the entire med school class after lecture about purchasing panoptic ophthalmoscopes, super high end stethoscopes etc. Some people got the impression it was required and ending up dropping hundreds of dollars for dust collectors. Advice = use the powerful combination of common sense & eBay.

 

[el_duderino]

Roger. Thanks!

 

[Mad Jack]

I've also heard a lot of students sell their kits after MS2, so you might be able to snag a deal from someone trying to get rid of theirs.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Your local AMSA chapter might also have equipment sales. But I would wait to see what your school actually requires before dropping any cash.

 

[NickNaylor]

Definitely worth waiting just to see how your school handles it, but at a minimum you'll need to buy a steth. I would recommend not buying a total garbage steth if that's what your school offers you. I've used the "kit steth" offered here a few times and it's total crap. You can get a new Littman Cardiology III - arguably one of the best steths available - for less than $200 new. It's well worth the investment IMO.

I agree that the opthalmoscope is useless, but I think it's good having a portable otosope available. Some clinics won't have the wall-mounted units, sometimes they won't work, etc. etc. and having your own available is nice. My opinion is somewhat jaded, though, since we didn't have a choice of whether to buy equipment or not.

IIRC you're starting in the next couple of months, so I imagine your school has already or will shortly provide you with info about equipment. At a minimum wait until you get that; it'd probably be better just to wait until school starts, though, since there really is no rush and you likely won't need anything for at least a couple of months.

 

[UlahSnackbar]

Does it make sense to buy any gear like a stethoscope or reflex hammer before classes start? I see you can get the Littmann scopes engraved if you buy them online, which seems like a good way to tag your own so it doesn't get swiped or mixed up. I don't want to show up the first class and find out I'll be needing it that week or something and not have time to order one online.

Edit: Doh, meant to put this in the med student forum..

I don't think you need that stuff for PA school, but I could be wrong

 

[el_duderino]

Well that's a relief.