worth it to buy a oto/opthal diagnostic kit?

[moomix906]

I'm supposed to buy a welch allyn otoscope/opthalmoscope and a Sphygmomanometer but I've heard from a couple of people that you use it like 3 times and then never again. Do most people feel that way? I can see how you wouldn't use it during the first 2 years but I figured it would be useful during the 3rd/4th years?

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[Twitch]

I'm supposed to buy a welch allyn otoscope/opthalmoscope and a Sphygmomanometer but I've heard from a couple of people that you use it like 3 times and then never again. Do most people feel that way? I can see how you wouldn't use it during the first 2 years but I figured it would be useful during the 3rd/4th years?

Most on here will say no. I had the same question as I start next semester as well. You can also do a search as this is has been asked quite a bit. The best source however, is to ask MS2's at your school.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm supposed to buy a welch allyn otoscope/opthalmoscope and a Sphygmomanometer but I've heard from a couple of people that you use it like 3 times and then never again. Do most people feel that way? I can see how you wouldn't use it during the first 2 years but I figured it would be useful during the 3rd/4th years?

You can probably get through life borrowing an otoscope/opthalmoscope or using the one hanging on the wall of most hospital rooms. But if you are the type who actually might want to practice your skills at home, you might want to have one. Also if you think you are going into neuro, ENT or optho it pays to get good on them. The spygmomanometer is something there is no real reason to own -- you will never be expected to carry something like that on you. If you are going to buy one, get a cheapo one from the local drugstore, not a fancy one.

 

[MadameLULU]

I don't think it's really worth it b/c there should be access to one on every floor of the hospital and in most clinic rooms (at least primary care ones). I paid 400+ for mine and I've only used it about 6 times However, if you must buy one, I would see if you can find a deal on Ebay.

 

[njbmd]

I'm supposed to buy a welch allyn otoscope/opthalmoscope and a Sphygmomanometer but I've heard from a couple of people that you use it like 3 times and then never again. Do most people feel that way? I can see how you wouldn't use it during the first 2 years but I figured it would be useful during the 3rd/4th years?

Put an ad out at your school and I am sure that several upperclassmen will want to unload their diagnostic tools. You could also find many sets out there on E-Bay much cheaper than outright purchase.

Even as a surgeon, I use my diagnostic set regularly. I don't think that I ever saw any of my colleagues using an ophthalmoscope ever though during my entire residency. Most hospitals have this equipment around but having your own set (or a borrowed set) gives you plenty of time to practice with these tools. Without practice, the ophthalmoscope becomes useless.

 

[LaDoctorFutura]

we were also required to have oto/ophthalmoscopes. Lots of people bought Welch Allyns, but I just got a cheapo on ebay. And feel great about it. Like everyone says, when it really matters, good ones will be available for you, but to shell out 500 bucks is crazy so early on. If you decide to go into ENT or oph, then you can invest in your future, but right now...I'd say minimally invest.

 

[OncoCaP]

we were also required to have oto/ophthalmoscopes. Lots of people bought Welch Allyns, but I just got a cheapo on ebay. And feel great about it. Like everyone says, when it really matters, good ones will be available for you, but to shell out 500 bucks is crazy so early on. If you decide to go into ENT or oph, then you can invest in your future, but right now...I'd say minimally invest.

When did you have to get the oto/opth?

 

[SoCuteMD]

I'm supposed to buy a welch allyn otoscope/opthalmoscope and a Sphygmomanometer but I've heard from a couple of people that you use it like 3 times and then never again. Do most people feel that way? I can see how you wouldn't use it during the first 2 years but I figured it would be useful during the 3rd/4th years?

I highly recommend the pocket set - it's cheaper AND it fits in your pocket. You'll never want to carry around the full size set!

Without practice, the ophthalmoscope becomes useless.

This is why every single one of my patients gets light shined into their eyes UNTIL I GET IT RIGHT DARNIT!

PS - (to my patients) sorry, I'm a little slow I know!

 

[Generic Member]

As to whether you want to own a Sphygmomanometer, they come in handy for non-medical purposes. When I locked myself out of my car one time the service guys used the inflating cuff to pry the door open enough to get a wedge in there to finish the job. You could be Dr. MacGyver with one of those.

 

[njbmd]

I highly recommend the pocket set - it's cheaper AND it fits in your pocket. You'll never want to carry around the full size set!



This is why every single one of my patients gets light shined into their eyes UNTIL I GET IT RIGHT DARNIT!

PS - (to my patients) sorry, I'm a little slow I know!

Dim the room lights (If you can't darken the room, go to another room) and start out with the intensity of the light low. The lower the intensity, the more time you have until the patient complains. You can practice with different intensities until you find the lowest intensity where you can still see. The first thing you find is a vessel; then you learn to focus on that vessel and follow it back to the disk. Then you learn to examine the disk slowly then quickly. As you faster, you can increase the intensity of the light, examine the disk and the macula and get out before the patient gets blinded. This is why practice is crucial. Have fun!

 

[silas2642]

I'm supposed to buy a welch allyn otoscope/opthalmoscope and a Sphygmomanometer but I've heard from a couple of people that you use it like 3 times and then never again. Do most people feel that way? I can see how you wouldn't use it during the first 2 years but I figured it would be useful during the 3rd/4th years?

Oh yeah, with the sphygmomanometer-- you don't have to spend $150 on one. You can spend $20- $30 bucks and get a perfectly decent one; they won't have the trigger valve, but they'll save you a ton of money and you won't feel as bad if someone "accidentally" walks off with it.

 

[psipsina]

I bought one and I don't regret it at all. The eye exam is really hard at first and the only way to become proficient is to practice on your own. Considering all the money I have shelled out in this process and will continue to shell out the cost of a scope seemed minimal. I also live in the third world nation called New Orleans where we don't have them in every exam room in every hospital and clinic so it can actually be useful to have your own set. I do recommend that you talk with your upperclassmen and see what they think and also to try and find a fourth year who might want to unload one for cheap.

 

[MeowMix]

I have my own oto/ophtho and use them regularly in the hospital on MS3/MS4 rotations; there is usually only one portable set per floor/ward and they are always either missing or have flat batteries. Hospital rooms rarely have these instruments available (except ED). Oto was essential on peds since there were five of us trying to pre-round simultaneously with only one scope. Ophtho is extremely useful on neuro and medicine. And the pan-optic is golden, and my residents appreciated it immensely on medicine. I actually use it a lot more than I ever expected.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hospital rooms rarely have these instruments available (except ED).

I guess it depends on the hospital and its funding. I see them everywhere.