Pediatric Stethoscope

[4thCoast]

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I'm anxiously looking forward to Match Day in two weeks (good luck everyone!) and the end of adult medicine forever. Like most medical students, I currently have the standard sized stethoscope. Do most pediatricians purchase the pediatric stethoscope? Or is is it just good to change the bell into a pediatric diaphragm. I can see advantages to both sides. It's not like I won't ever treat an adult-sized kid, but on the other hand, I'm sure the smaller steth would work just fine on a teen anyways.

Asking now because I'd probably try to resell my current stethoscope to an incoming medical student at a discount if I plan on getting a pediatric model.

Thanks

 

[NightSwim]

You're right, there are positives and negatives. Some residents carry around the pedi-sized scope and some have the adult-sized one. Don't know the exact percentages. The pro to the adult-sized one (at least the littman III) is that you can hear the heart sounds a little better... which is a big pro. As for myself, I bought the pedi-sized one (it's only $85) and kept the adult one. On different occasions I bring each one.

 

[mvenus929]

I find the infant one is really useful in newborns (the adult ones are way to big to distinguish where sounds are coming from), but I carry around my adult one and use the Peds diaphragm for my smaller patients. It works well most of the time.

 

[jonb12997]

I carry the littman Peds stethoscope at work. I find its big enough for the big teens and small enough for the newborns. (I'm a pedi hospitalist).