Do I need a diagnostic set?

[Bleakee]

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Hello! Fellow MD student here. At my university there is no accessible clinical skills lab of the sort, the only place where I can practice (so to speak) physical examination and physical maneuvers are with classmates. I recently had clinical rotations through ophtalmology and otorhinolaryngology (ENT), and even during those, I had very limited time to actually use both an otoscope as well as an ophtalmoscope. I will probably not have them accessible ever again, as they are limited to the areas of those specific services.

Now, I do want to master using both an ophtalmoscope as well as an otoscope, because I don't want to become inept at using them, if I ever needed to. I really, really just want to learn as much as I can and be a well-rounded physician. The ONLY way I can get to practice with them is to buy them... and that's the issue. My question branches out into three points, then:

1. Is it worth it for a medical student that is not aspiring towards ENT/ophtalmo/neuro to buy a regular diagnostic set?
2. Is it necessary for a regular physician to be good at using an ophtalmoscope/otoscope?
3. What do you think I should do, given the situation?

TL;DR: Last year medical student, have limited knowledge of otoscope/ophtalmoscope due to extremely low accessibility. Should I buy one for myself to practice and have for the future?

 

[7331poas]

is this a US MD school?

 

[Bleakee]

is this a US MD school?

It is not 🙁

 

[MSTPlease]

1. Is it worth it for a medical student that is not aspiring towards ENT/ophtalmo/neuro to buy a regular diagnostic set?
2. Is it necessary for a regular physician to be good at using an ophtalmoscope/otoscope?
3. What do you think I should do, given the situation?

TL;DR: Last year medical student, have limited knowledge of otoscope/ophtalmoscope due to extremely low accessibility. Should I buy one for myself to practice and have for the future?

1. No
2. Define good
3. If you really won't have access and want to practice, buy one, but I wouldn't.

 

[mrbreakfast]

I don't think there's a need to purchase an otoscope for any reason. Do ENT residents carry them?

Ophtalmoscopes can be bought, usually with "house money," during residency in a field that needs them (neuro, ophtho).

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Depends on what you're going into. If you're going to be a general practitioner/primary care physician who wants to be well-rounded, I think it's worth it.

If you're okay with just referring out to specialists, don't bother.

With that said, as a diagnostic radiology resident, I take pride in my physical exam skills in the rare instances I do use them.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Basic Otoscopes can be bought for 20-40 on amazon and get the job done just fine for the basics. I think if you want to do any kind of generalist practice it’s good to be able to use one. I got a ton of experience with otoscopes on outpt peds since many parents thinks fever = ear infection if kid has been in the pool in the last 2 months lol. I’m not surprised you didn’t get a ton of time on otoscopes for ENT - after all it’s a largely surgical speciality.

Personally I think ophthalmoscopes are useless. You’ll never get a very good exam unless you have a very high quality scope, pitch black exam room, and probably a dilated eyeball. Unless you plan to go into neuro/optho it’s just not worth it IMO.

 

[deleted87051]

Every time I go to the eye doctor, they do digital retinal imaging. Do people still use ophthalmoscopes? It’s a waste of money.

 

[21Rush12]

Every time I go to the eye doctor, they do digital retinal imaging. Do people still use ophthalmoscopes? It’s a waste of money.

I thought it said digital rectal and I was very concerned for you.