Stethoscope

We still see the stethoscope. How do they listen to your heart and lungs, otherwise? I really seldom go to the doctor. When I give blood they use the stethoscope to read my blood pressure as well. It does seem that doctor's hardly have time to do their job well anymore. In the US many are leaving the profession due to high costs of insurance for themselves and then also becoause of the upcoming change called "Obamacare", that will put too much government into our medical care.

My doctor uses hers all the time on me listening to my heart and lungs. She also uses a digital blood pressure machine and also sometimes the older BP machine. Every time I went to the ER this year, the doctors, etc., always checked with a stethoscope along with the other machines, so I can't really agree that they're history. My daughter manages two uniform stores and sells stethoscopes all the time to the doctors, interns, nurses, etc. As far as coming to the house, no, I don't know off-hand of any doctors that do this but maybe more in the country you might find them still coming to the houses or cabins. Not sure.

I remember how cold they were against the skin! You're right though; I think some doctors don't even know what they are and what they're for.

Hi allknowing, My view is that the stethoscope is not history. I think it's an important basic tool which all doctors used to examine patients. By using the stethoscope the doctor is able to listen to the heart pulse and lungs for abnormalities. Although there may be other electronic devices that can help the doctor achieve this I think the stethoscope is the least expensive and reliable device for this application. That's why I think the stetoscope will be here for a long time.

I thought doctors still used stethoscopes until now.. The last time i went to the doctor, she used one on me..

Thanks a ton for posting this discussion. Yes u are right, i too miss those days when doctors used to have stethoscope with them. We always used to associate a doctor with wearing a white apron and having a stethoscope in his hand and it is very bad to know that it has become a history now. I used to enjoy the way he used to use his stethoscope to gauge the heart beat and other phenomenons inside my body. What say?

I'm not sure I remember exactly the last time I had a stethoscope used on Me..but I'm fairly sure they're still standard equipment,I don't think electronics have taken over the consulting room to that extent just yet.. Housecalls by the doctor may be possibly one thing that have been cut down on,where District Nurses and Paramedics may be taking up more patient time..

Doctors here still use stethoscopes and those that work in hospitals all wear one as a badge if office. Frankly when I visit the Dr I go to be made better. If they have something better than a stethoscope then I am happy for them to use it. I think that what you mean is what we call 'bedside manner'. Doctors are human and their empathy skills vary. Most are still very good and appear to be interested in the patient - after all we are the reason why they trained and are employed. The main problem is that they often don't get enough time with the patient and as a result can appear remote and disinterested.

Hmmm. Any time I have seen a doctor or a PA, they have a stethoscope lol. They don't always USE it, I know before I see the doctor I see a nurse who takes vitals and bp and such. I know when I had to go to urgent care when I got sick once and knew I needed a prescription for something, the PA used the stethoscope. I've never had a house call visit from a doctor but I don't feel like they are impersonal.

I think that most all of my experiences with doctors have been impersonal. There has never been one visit my house. I can remember times when it would have been nice to have had one do that though. We have a Teledoc service where I work at..lol...even more impersonal than before. You just call them. Now it is for stuff like sinus infections and stuff like that...not the real serious stuff.

I can still see doctors using Stethoscope. I have 2 at home as well so I don't miss it that much . Yes, if one is hospitalized, machines always are used since there is nothing a Stethoscope can do other than to heart your heat beat and the rhythm of your breathing. It doesn't do anything to see beyond that.

I have two stethoscope here at home, i used them when i am still working in the hospital and home as a private duty nurse. Stethoscope is very important for doctors and nurses especially when they conducting physical assessment to the patient. When i was a kid I remembered my pediatrician always reminding me that her stethoscope was quite cold and she need to use it listen my heart beat and breathing pattern, at first i am afraid but when she allows me to hold it and used it to listened to my heart beats i started to like it and my fear was gone. I am glad that pediatrician was very kind and allowed me to used it.

The last time I go to a doctor, they still use the same old fashion stethoscope. How I wish I could bear witness the time when a doctor using medical tricorder become reality.

i've just come back from a short hospital stay and several times i've experienced 2 residents each using their stethoscopes on me at the same time. just as i was breathing out, the other would say "breathe in." hahaha! they issued a digital thermometer with the hospital kit and it reminded me of the cold glass thermometer with the mercury in it. i remember when i was young how thrilled i was when i finally learned how to read one. for blood pressure, they still wrapped my arm and pumped it while watching the arrow and numbers on this instrument on wheels that they're dragging behind them. for pulse, they still touched my wrist while looking at their wristwatch, but there was one nurse who clipped a small gadget on my finger. she said it helps speed things up when there are many patients to attend to. what was uncomfortable for me was the needles. they pricked me to get blood samples, then to do an allergy test, then to start the dextrose. i have "difficult" veins so with the last procedure, they only managed to succeed on the fourth try. :(

allknowing the world can never just stand still. change is always going on.and for your information when I go to my doctor the nurse always takes my glood pressure and she uses a stethoscope of course.those days are bye gone so live for today and enjoy so me of t he changes.

For me, I may say I don't. I used the stethoscope since I graduated from college.

Yes they use types of computers for everything now. Nurses seem to do more than the dr. does. But we still get charged and arm and a leg by drs.