Stethoscope for residency

[zeppelinpage4]

A family member wants to gift me a stethoscope for the start of my residency in peds. I wasn't initially planning on getting a new stethoscope (mine has been more than adequate so far), but I figured this is my chance to get something really nice which I can hopefully use for many years to come.

This is my current stethoscope, an ADC 601 cardiology (Basically a Littmann cardio iii replica, but heavier and MUCH cheaper) over the last 4 years. It's served me well, and I reccomend this to any MS1's looking for a budget friendly alternative to the Littmann cardiology iii.
American Diagnostic Corporation - Core Medical Device Manufacturer. Stethoscopes, Blood Pressure, Thermometry, and EENT

I am debating between the Littmann Classic III and the new Cardiology IV.

Cardiology IV: Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope: Turquoise & Smoke 6171
Pros:
-Best of the best. Won't feel the need to upgrade in the foreseeable future.
-I'm used to using a cardiology stethoscope, since my ADC is one
-Great sound quality (yes I realize it's probably more than I'll need, but I'd rather get something better than I need, so I never need to worry about upgrading).

Cons:
-All the current colors are boring and pretty standard :| It's stupid, but I wanted one of those pretty rainbow/purple/gold stethoscopes for years...don't judge me.
-Almost $200.
-Double lumen stethoscopes are heavy

Littmann Classic III: Littmann Classic III Stethoscope: Caribbean Blue Rainbow 5807
Pros:
-Looks much lighter than the cardiology iv (single lumen, smaller chest piece)
-Comes in pink/gold/rainbow (I wanted something colorful, and it's less likely to get stolen or mixed up with other stethoscopes on the floor)
-$100. Almost half the price of the cardiology IV.

Cons:
-Sound quality isn't as good as the cardiology IV, I may feel the need to upgrade down the line depending on what I do
-It may be a downgrade from my current ADC cardiology stethoscope.

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[OnePunchBiopsy]

I know from experience that the classic III fits more easily in your pocket.

I'd pick whichever one is colorful enough to get kids to stop crying.

 

[LilKangaroo]

So, there is a Cardiology IV with a rainbow bell and black tubing. You can always buy replacement tubing.

Otherwise, if your med school stethoscope is doing you well, why don't you ask your family member to buy you an infant stethoscope? They come in fun colors and it might suit you well in your future. One of my pediatric preceptors still listened to teenagers with an infant stethoscope.

Personally, I would go with Cardiology IV.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

So, there is a Cardiology IV with a rainbow bell and black tubing. You can always buy replacement tubing.

Otherwise, if your med school stethoscope is doing you well, why don't you ask your family member to buy you an infant stethoscope? They come in fun colors and it might suit you well in your future. One of my pediatric preceptors still listened to teenagers with an infant stethoscope.

Personally, I would go with Cardiology IV.

Thanks! I totally forgot Littmann parts are interchangeable.
And one of my attendings recommended a pediatric stethoscope, but I was worried I wouldn't be able to use it on adolescents and obese patients. If they still work well on teens, and come in colors, I'm going to reconsider them. I imagine the pediatric stethoscopes are light weight as well.

 

[Foot Fetish]

Why not get an electronic one? I know they're not as fashionable for some reason, but you can hear a lot clearer with them.

 

[Ismet]

Why not get an electronic one? I know they're not as fashionable for some reason, but you can hear a lot clearer with them.

Because they're $400 and unnecessary when you should just learn how to listen with a regular scope. I've heard I/VI murmurs with my piece of crap $60 scope.

 

[W19]

Because they're $400 and unnecessary when you should just learn how to listen with a regular scope. I've heard I/VI murmurs with my piece of crap $60 scope.

I don't know if it is something that comes with A LOT OF practice or some people (myself included) are bad in hearing these extra heart sounds. I have a Littmann Cardiology III and still yet to hear a murmur on an actual patient.

If a $400 stethoscope can magnify these sounds like the ones you hear using the dummies at your school clinical department, go for it. I don't know what to make of my $80 Littmann Cardiology III.

 

[FlameBroiledDoc]

It depends on how you wear a stethoscope. If you see yourself draping it around your neck, get the Classic line with the longer tube. It's far less expensive than the Cardiology line anyway.

After a few months of experience, the state of your ears (plus or minus wax) will matter much more than the model of stethoscope.

 

[Azete]

Because they're $400 and unnecessary when you should just learn how to listen with a regular scope. I've heard I/VI murmurs with my piece of crap $60 scope.

I agree everyone should know how to use a regular scope, but the newer electric ones are pretty amazing. My brother (a cardiologist) recently switched over and raves about how much more accurately he can predict things like LVOT pressure gradients without an echo.

 

[mimelim]

My Cardiology III was taken out of my white coat during a trauma code my MS4 year and disappeared. Since then I've had two Cardiology II Classics. Can't imagine buying a more expensive one.

 

[Ismet]

I don't know if it is something that comes with A LOT OF practice or some people (myself included) are bad in hearing these extra heart sounds. I have a Littmann Cardiology III and still yet to hear a murmur on an actual patient.

If a $400 stethoscope can magnify these sounds like the ones you hear using the dummies at your school clinical department, go for it. I don't know what to make of my $80 Littmann Cardiology III.

All the more reason to practice and not just cop out and rely on the electric one. You're not always going to be able to use your own stethoscope. I have 3 rotations in intern year where we have to use the provided scopes. 1 rotation where we have to use the crappy disposable ones. Yeah I'm definitely not skilled enough to hear a faint murmur with those things, but I've heard plenty of murmurs with them.

Have you tried listening for a murmur in a patient with a known murmur? That's a great way to learn, and I was lucky enough to have a preceptor for 4 weeks in med school who was quite enthusiastic about murmurs. Don't let anyone tell you what kind of murmur it is, go listen to it, take your time. It has little to do with the stethoscope (Cardiology III vs IV vs Classic vs WA etc) and more to do with the operator's experience in listening to and identifying murmurs. When there's a patient with a murmur, always go listen to it.

I agree everyone should know how to use a regular scope, but the newer electric ones are pretty amazing. My brother (a cardiologist) recently switched over and raves about how much more accurately he can predict things like LVOT pressure gradients without an echo.

When you're an attending cardiologist you can have whatever stethoscope strikes your fancy. I still maintain that it's ridiculous for a resident to have an electronic stethoscope.

 

[cbrons]

Honestly I wouldnt invest in a stethoscope. Just keep the one you have.

I would invest in learning basic bedside cardiac ultrasound though, if you have the available equipment at hand in your program.

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[WheezyBaby]

It's true what they say, it's what's between the ears that matters. But frankly, what's "between the ears" is experience, and with how relatively cheap stethoscopes are so long as you're not constantly losing them, there's no reason, imo, not to have a good one and make your learning a little easier. That said, I've used a WA dlx / elite and pretty much the litany of decent littmanns. They're all good