Dan Kemp Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hi, I just started the professional phase of my 5-year entry level program and need to purchase medical equipment. I've been told by several practicing PAs (and read the same thing once or twice on here) that the only thing worth spending extra money on is the stethoscope. I plan to get a Littmann Cardio III for this. A blood pressure cuff I figure I can get for pretty cheap (less than the 100 bucks WelchAllyn wants anyway). The main issue is the Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope Diagnostic Set. These things from WelchAllyn cost upwards of 500 bucks. I'm not sure, but I don't think there's any way this is worth it. Unlike the majority of my class, my parents do not pay for everything I need, and I can't afford such an expense unless it's truly necessary. So, would people agree that it's not necessary to spend so much on a set when a cheaper one can be gotten for ~150? I figure wherever I end up working will probably have them. And even if I were to eventually need a pricy model, it'd be much easier to spend 600 bucks as a working PA than it is now. If you do agree, can you recommend a brand or model for a better price? I'd appreciate all advice. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailordeac Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Personally, I looked on ebay and put together a Welch Allyn kit for about $150-170 (got all the various pieces in separate auctions). It isn't a fancy panoptic, but it works fine. I know some people in my class are using the "no-name" cheaper sets and have gotten by just fine (a lot of practices have the wall mounted models now anyway, so you might not even need them for rotations). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason09 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Yeah don't bother with the fancy Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope. Go with what is in your price range. I am about to graduate and can honestly say the only advantage is early on it can be a little easier to view the various structures with the newer heads. However once you get the hang out it and see enough anything will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHAD Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 The welch allyn mini set is great. don't spend more than 200 on it, and i got my blood pressure cuff on amazon for 7 dollars shipped. Riestar also has a good mini set as seen here: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&q=riester+mini&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=494848635081925022&sa=X&ei=qtjdTZXbBI76sAPBpty0Bw&ved=0CEMQ8wIwAw#ps-sellers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstarkwe Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 I went cheap on the Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope... reason being.. you'll use the ones in the office and not your handheld. I think I've used mine like 3 times while in class...I got the ADC Complete 2.5v Otoscope Ophthalmoscope Diagnostic Instrument Set for 135. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelseff Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 DX sets: I got the 48 dollar ebay special. I still have it and don't get to use it much in physiatry. I used it in school during my inpatient rotation and my whole year in Peds (The peds office I trained at didnt have them on the walls) I upgraded the bulb to a welch allyn (yup they fit) and it works pretty well. I say save your money. As far as the stethoscope goes, I like my Welch Allyn Harvey Elite. it really shuts out ambient sound/noise and really picks up those hard to hear murmurs with screaming kids and parents in the exam room. I tried the littman cardio and wasn't really impressed. But i have colleagues and classmates who swear by it. To each his own i guess. If you get the Harvey, get the accessory kit with the peds diaphragm and other ear tips. Mine was a gift so double bonus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Go with something around the 200 range ... if you go cheaper, like I did initially, you might end up as sorry as I was when my scope stopped working while I was in my clinical exam ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyBoy Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 If you MUST buy a Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope, try to split it with a close classmate. I've only used mine 10 times max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewtonsApple Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I would go as long as you can if at all before putting down all that money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Just wanted to add....craigslist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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