Do you use a lot of microscopes in medical school and as a doctor? I am interested in internal medicine, and possibly cardiology.
Microscope use?
- Thread starter ukae
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I imagine it varies a lot depending on which school you attend. Many, if not most, schools these days use microscopic images through computers rather than physically using a microscope.
We had micro labs that used microscopes (about 7 sessions), but that was it.
In terms of practicing physicians, it depends on a lot on your specialty and your hospital. On medicine so far, I haven't seen anyone use microscopes at my academic institution and large hospital. And I can't think of a reason for cardio to use one but maybe there is one. However, I saw them used quite frequently in inpatient OB and clinic. I'm sure Heme people know how to do blood smears. So it is possible to use microscopes as a physician, but I don't think it's very common. Maybe smaller hospitals with smaller lab capabilities would have more opportunities.
In terms of practicing physicians, it depends on a lot on your specialty and your hospital. On medicine so far, I haven't seen anyone use microscopes at my academic institution and large hospital. And I can't think of a reason for cardio to use one but maybe there is one. However, I saw them used quite frequently in inpatient OB and clinic. I'm sure Heme people know how to do blood smears. So it is possible to use microscopes as a physician, but I don't think it's very common. Maybe smaller hospitals with smaller lab capabilities would have more opportunities.
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You probably won't use microscopes. Histology for me was computer images you could zoom in and out of and maybe a couple times we had to use a microscope that was already focused for us, just had to scan the slide to identify the tissue. As far as being a physician, outsides of pathology you probably will never use one. In the ED and on OB/GYN you'll useit to look at cervical swabs, but thats about it.
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not too much as a student. as something like a dermatologist or pathologist, sure. I routinely look at urine under the microscope in the clinic.
as a good internist you could always look at your own peripheral smears instead of asking pathology to do so.
as a good internist you could always look at your own peripheral smears instead of asking pathology to do so.
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It varies?
I've been in FM clinics where they look at urine samples under the scope. I'm sure there are general internists that do mainly outpatient that look at their own urine samples as well.
Pathologists obviously use it a ton.
I don't know about cards using it too much.
On my IM rotation--we'd go to the lab to look at interesting smears, but we didn't do it routinely. If you do general IM and
I've been in FM clinics where they look at urine samples under the scope. I'm sure there are general internists that do mainly outpatient that look at their own urine samples as well.
Pathologists obviously use it a ton.
I don't know about cards using it too much.
On my IM rotation--we'd go to the lab to look at interesting smears, but we didn't do it routinely. If you do general IM and
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We're all digital now, but in private practice, you still can do wet mounts for some sexually transmitted infections.
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and KOH preps of skin scrapings looking for fungal elements. Or you can check pinworm preps for eggs.
