Necessary to buy these things for entering student?

[basupran]

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It is cheaper to buy as a package, but I am questioning the utility of some of these items. Should I buy at once, or buy as I go (requesting advice of older students, 2nd-4th year) 🙂

Halogen diagnostic kit
bp kit
steth-lit card 3
reflex hammer
tuning forks
guides

 

[Winged Scapula]

Some schools have some insane requirements that you have all of these but frankly I think you get by without a sphygmomanometer or even a diagnostic kit (every clinic I've been in has one, and its generally not a problem to find one on the wards or ICU). Of course this makes it harder to practice at home with your roommate, but if you're so inclined maybe you can do so at the hospital before you go home (or other exams with a classmate if you're so inclined 😍 )

You'll need a stethoscope and the Neuro stuff aren't too expensive so I'd get those, but try and find them used from an upper classman unless you think you might realistically ever use them again and want something shiny.

 

[basupran]

Of course this makes it harder to practice at home with your roommate, but if you're so inclined maybe you can do so at the hospital before you go home (or other exams with a classmate if you're so inclined 😍 )

LOL, thanks for the input.

 

[alliemac]

Yeah, I agree with the above poster. Definitely get a stethoscope. Reflex hammers have gradually become important, but sometimes you can score one of those at equipment fairs every now and then. But before you buy anything else, wait til school starts and ask an MS2.

 

[Winged Scapula]

On a related note, if you buy a sturdy/heavy enough stethoscope (ie, those "nurse's" scopes won't work) you can use that to test tendon reflexes. Or even your own stubby little fingers or hands will work.

 

[dara678]

it all depends on your school ... different schools have different requirements. heck, different TEACHERS have different requirements. for instance, our intro to clinical medicine prof is making us buy oto-opthalmoscopes, whereas some of my classmates do not have to. 🙁

regardless of your school's requirements though, a stethoscope is absolutely essential, and you'll use it from your first year to your last (and even beyond -- i saw an anesthesiology resident with a cardio III). The littman cardio III i think is the best you can get for its price, so don't hesitate on that one.

 

[Dr.Evil1]

Buy a stethoscope and wait for everything else.

That being said if you want to buy equipment then here are my recomendations:

Sthethoscopes - you need this forever...even if it is just to make your patients believe you are a real doc. I own a Lit Cardio 3. It is OK but not the best. If I was doing it over I would get something with a seperate diaphragm and bell rather than intergrated toghether like in the Cardio 3. I wouldn't buy the top of the line $500 one though until you make sure you aren't going to be a psychiatrist and only use it for show.

Neuro - If want to buy a reflex hammer then get a good one or wait until you can get one from a drug rep. Your neuro residents/attendings will have these giant reflex hammers and make fun of your little hatchet shaped hammer. As previous posters have said you can use a sthethoscope or your hand but your neuro attending is going to laugh at you. As for tunning forks just buy the big one...don't worry about the little one.

BP kit - should be cheap (like $10) so if you want to get good at BPs then buy it so you can practice at home. Not necessary at all during clinical rotations, available in any medical setting.

Oto/opthalmoscopes are a trickey subject. My understanding is that the Pan-optic scopes make things REALLY easy but they aren't cheap. I would say that if you are going to buy something then get the pan-optic. If you don't want to buy the pan-optic then don't buy anything because you can then use what is on the wall. I don't own either piece of equipment.

Guides - I carry a Maxwell and a pharmacopoeia. Maxwell is great and a good percentage of residents carry it too. Not necessary until you start clinical rotations. You will pick up all sorts of crap in your pockets during rotations so make sure your coat has deep big pockets.

PDA - you will most likely carry a PDA during your clinical years. This can be a great reference tool or an amazing pain in the ass. Don't buy this until you find out your own schools requirements. You dont want to get stuck with a Palm if your school supports a Windows based platform. This was a huge deal with my class.

Hope I didn't forget anything. You will have alot better idea of what to buy once you get to school and you meet some MS2 and above. Good luck.

 

[shellfish]

i wouldn't buy anything before starting medical school. many times you can get discounted instruments at a school instrument fair, as well as a bunch of freebies like reflex hammers, tuning forks, and pen lights. things i wish i never bought: blood pressure cuff, doctor's bag, ophthalmoscope. my otoscope actually came quite handy on a peds rotation at a ghetto hospital that didn't have them in every room.

 

[Discobolus]

You must have a Master Cardiology because the Cardiology III does have a separate diaphragm and bell, although it comes with a pediatric diaphragm that you have to take off and put on the bell "converter"

I own a Lit Cardio 3. It is OK but not the best. If I was doing it over I would get something with a seperate diaphragm and bell rather than intergrated toghether like in the Cardio 3.

 

[pistol.pete]

i wouldn't buy anything before starting medical school. many times you can get discounted instruments at a school instrument fair, as well as a bunch of freebies like reflex hammers, tuning forks, and pen lights. things i wish i never bought: blood pressure cuff, doctor's bag, ophthalmoscope. my otoscope actually came quite handy on a peds rotation at a ghetto hospital that didn't have them in every room.

i don't know about this. i got a great deal on a steth + diagnostic kit for under $2000.

gotta strike when the iron is hot.

 

[bigfrank]

It is cheaper to buy as a package, but I am questioning the utility of some of these items. Should I buy at once, or buy as I go (requesting advice of older students, 2nd-4th year) 🙂

Halogen diagnostic kit NO
bp kit NO
steth-lit card 3 NO
reflex hammer NO
tuning forks NO
guides ??

see above