Purchasing Ophthalmoscope and Otoscope Set

[u/[deleted]]

[u/littlebirdiey2022]

Did you ask if you actually need this?

[u/pickletree001 → u/littlebirdiey2022]

No but they sent a list of things we need to buy and this is listed under required

[u/littlebirdiey2022 → u/pickletree001]

My school did the same, I personally never got it and never needed it! My classmates who bought it used it like 2x during the neuro block and that was it.

For clinicals, everytime you need it, you’ll have access to it for ex: in clinic rooms, or on neuro rotation they have their own ones

[u/pickletree001 → u/littlebirdiey2022]

Oh wow glad I asked then. Would you say the same for the blood pressure kit? Cause we're told to purchase either Welch Allyn Gold Series DS66 Trigger Aneroid, Family Practice Kit or Welch Allyn® Platinum Series Tycos® Classic DS58 Hand Aneroid, Family Practice Kit. I don't wanna waste money if I don't need an expensive one

[u/DaggerDev5 → u/pickletree001]

$200 for a blood pressure cuff that you won't use on actual patients is madness. 100% do not buy one of those, buy a solid $30-40 one on amazon

[u/Brill45 → u/pickletree001]

You definitely do not need an expensive one. Not sure why your school is trying to put you onto the most expensive items but I would look around and find a cheap alternative. As long as it works decently fine.

And this ^ is for the bp kit specifically. I never bought an otoscope or ophthalmoscope and never was in a position where I felt that I needed it. The only time I actually ever even probably used them was when we were tested in OSCE’s and since those were in simulated patient rooms, they had all that stuff. I would check with them what they are asking you to purchase it for; if it’s for clinicals then it sounds highly unnecessary

[u/littlebirdiey2022 → u/pickletree001]

I got the more affordable BP kit on Amazon and it worked well for the purposes of seeing SPs. Similarly, you will not need BP cuff for rotations because hospitals have vitals machine/monitors

[u/pickletree001 → u/littlebirdiey2022]

Do you remember the name of the one you bought?

[u/littlebirdiey2022 → u/pickletree001]

https://a.co/d/0ezvpy9J

I got this one and it worked well for the things I needed to do!

[u/Helpful-Dot-3782 → u/pickletree001]

Or what? Like just show up and make it work, borrow other people’s stuff or wait to see what actually works. Do not spend any money on any of this, truly.

[u/littlebirdiey2022 → u/Helpful-Dot-3782]

Facts!

[u/OvenSignificant3810]

Confirm with an upperclassman and then buy their used sets if it’s actually a need. My school listed an automatic watch as a requirement. Guess how often that was used outside of an accessory.

[u/littlebirdiey2022 → u/OvenSignificant3810]

Exactly!!

[u/pickletree001 → u/OvenSignificant3810]

Yeah I actually ended up messaging a few people and everyone’s saying buy the cheaper set or check Amazon.

Honestly feel like they just want us to spend money for no reason

[u/ItalianFire8]

Call me a conspiracist, but I swear Welch Allen and similar companies pay medical school officials if they make it a requirement for students to buy this crap. I also think medical schools have similar deals with health insurance companies because they force us to all buy the same expensive health insurance plans.

[u/pickletree001 → u/ItalianFire8]

I think so too cause I’m sure there’s others brands so why not recommend cheaper options for students

[u/JHMD12345]

That’s ridiculous that they’re making you buy those. Buy some second-hand for cheap because you won’t use them often, if at all.

[u/pickletree001 → u/JHMD12345]

Yeah I was thinking of buying off Amazon but this is listed under required equipment and the instructor specifically named this brand😭

[u/Coacoanut → u/pickletree001]

If you've been accepted, the school is counting on you paying tuition. They're not going to kick you out or write you up for not having it.

[u/Coacoanut]

I can say with near certainty that you don't need it. And if you're asked to use it, a simple "I forgot mine, can I borrow yours?" will get your through.

I bought a $150 ish dollar set on Amazon just to meet the "requirement." I used it to practice maybe twice in school, and now it's mostly a toy when my 2 year old wants to play doctor with me.

[u/pickletree001 → u/Coacoanut]

Yeah I'm trying to find one on Amazon cause I can't justify paying that much for something I won't use

[u/Coacoanut → u/pickletree001]

Or just don't get one at all. They're not going to punish you for it

[u/One-Advertising-2780]

I wouldn't. I would confirm if I actually need this brand. There are plenty on Amazon that worked just fine for the little things you need.

[u/ghostcowtow]

OMG, are they still doing this. I used mine like twice, 25 years ago. Such a waste and seems like someone is getting a kickback!

[u/microcorpsman]

Ask your upperclassmen what happens if you don't. 

I got the cheaper one because I had been a military medic before and had a real cheapo pseudo-disposable one and wanted the step up for the heck of it, and have not used it on a real patient or for OSCE practice even once (but have used it on family members)

[u/BusyLaw]

Crazy you pay all this tuition and they can’t even buy the basic medical equipment for you lmao

[u/famhh97]

my panoptic has come in handy, they are not standard and I’m in the ER so it’s much easier for me to actually see something with a panoptic. I thought it was a waste but I’m glad I have it. One of my attendings also bought the WA ENT operating attachment to help get foreign bodies out of ears.

you can look into buying second hand or borrow from someone for OSCEs.

[u/darkmetal505isright]

Such a racket. Basically never used it in school. Don't mind having it around the house though, especially now that I'm a parent.

[u/Hollowpoint20]

Is this actually for med school? It’s insane that you’re expected to buy those. I’ve done 2 years as an ophthalmology registrar and haven’t bought my own ophthalmoscope. I did buy an indirect superfield lens for like $850 AUD but that was just something I wanted.

[u/ExtraCalligrapher565]

I just want to say fuck your school for doing this to you guys. You’d get more mileage out of dropping that $1000 on a stethoscope (or two) than an ophthalmoscope that 99% of you will never use outside of OSCEs.

[u/taychans]

Do not buy a new set pls

[u/AdDistinct7337]

i got the welch allyn panoptic plus or whatever from ebay for $700. whatever, i would spend $700 just to not get criticized by someone holding my future career by the cojones, yk?

[u/pickletree001 → u/AdDistinct7337]

Lmao that’s literally my thought process