Things to buy before starting PA school

[AshleyAlleen]

Hey everyone! I'm starting PA school in May 2018 and would like to ask for equipment I will need for school for Christmas this year! I'm looking for recommendations on stethoscopes, otoscope/opthalmascope sets, etc. Please include any info you can including brands/where to buy them!!

[jmj11]

The panoptic is worth its weight in gold, if you work in a field where a good fundoscopic exam is important. It profoundly see the fundi better than the old welch allyn. I have diagnosed several pseudo-tumor patients, not to mention other things, that I would have otherwise missed. https://www.allheart.com/product.aspx?p=waset21

[UGoLong]

Talk to your program. Some do bulk buys of stethoscopes and some issue equipment or have recommendations.


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[SHU-CH]

Absolutely check with your school first - as noted above they might have a deal, or special requirements. 

A lot of folks on here will tell you to get the cheapest stuff you can off of Ebay. I have more of a "buy once, cry once" mentality. I bought an expensive Littmann stethoscope and an expensive Welch Allyn diagnostic set. Both will outlast me. The scope is still going strong and you could drive nails with the otoscope handle. It seems like a lot of students also sell their stuff after they graduate, but I still use mine quite a bit. Look at it as the long term investment it is.

[GetMeOuttaThisMess]

Benzodiazepines and antidepressants for some.

[MedicinePower]

On 11/25/2017 at 8:52 AM, UGoLong said:

Talk to your program. Some do bulk buys of stethoscopes and some issue equipment or have recommendations.


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This is a good idea in theory but the students in my class found the quality of the bulk items to be seriously deficient.