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Littman Cardiology IV - Stethoscope Review

2019-03-18 · Long video (solo, talking head or whiteboard) · Ali · recording, 5:15 · watch on YouTube

Topic: Medicine and his doctor years · mode: Review and recommendation

In a Medical Mondays episode, junior doctor Ali unboxes the Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope sent by MediSave and compares it with the Littmann Classic II he has used for six years: it is clearly louder but heavier, and he thinks upgrading is probably not worth it, except to listen through clothing on wards such as elderly medicine.

What is said

The parts of the video and what is said in each (★ — how much it matters to the video).

00:00:00 — Intro: a Medical Mondays review of the Littmann Cardiology IV, sent by MediSave

  • ★ MediSave sent Ali the Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope for free. — 00:00:05
  • ★★ Ali has used the Littmann Classic II, the standard stethoscope, for the last six years. — 00:00:05

00:00:33 — Unboxing: the stethoscope, a pen torch, the manual and a carry case

  • ★★ The Littmann Cardiology IV is much fatter than the Classic II, and supposedly the fatter a stethoscope, the more easily sound travels through it. (hedged) — 00:00:33

00:01:50 — Listening to his own heart and chest with the Cardiology IV and the Classic II

  • ★★★ Sounds are definitely louder through the Littmann Cardiology IV than the Classic II, which Ali thinks will help, since he often does not trust his ears with a stethoscope. — 00:01:50
  • ★★ Ali expected the louder sound: the Cardiology IV is an expensive stethoscope for cardiology consultants, while the Classic II is the standard one all medical students and junior doctors use. — 00:02:38

00:03:01 — Finishes and weight; should you upgrade from the Classic II: probably not, except to listen through clothing

  • ★ The Littmann Cardiology IV comes in several colours and finishes; Ali chose the shiny finish over matte black because it looked cool. — 00:03:01
  • ★★ The Littmann Cardiology IV is quite a lot heavier than the Classic II, and Ali imagines it would hurt your shoulders after a while if you are not used to it. (hedged) — 00:03:01
  • ★★★ Asked whether to upgrade from the Littmann Classic II to the Cardiology IV, Ali says probably not. (hedged) — 00:03:01
  • ★★ Ali knows consultants who still use their original Classic II or older stethoscopes, holding that what you cannot hear with a normal stethoscope does not matter enough to care about. — 00:03:01
  • ★★ A cardiology consultant who needs to hear murmurs might care about a fancy stethoscope, but Ali notes that if you suspect a murmur you would probably order an echo anyway, so what you hear matters little. (hedged) — 00:03:42
  • ★★ Ali has been on the elderly medicine ward for about two months, where consultants often listen to patients through their clothing instead of having them undress. — 00:03:42
  • ★★★ For patients who struggle to sit forward or undress, Ali sees a louder stethoscope such as the Cardiology IV as useful for listening through clothing; apart from that he sees few benefits in upgrading. — 00:04:24
  • ★ Asked whether the Littmann Cardiology IV will make him a better doctor, Ali says probably not, but he needs all the help he can get. (playful) — 00:04:24

00:04:45 — Sign-off

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Mentioned

Central: Littmann Cardiology IV

Also: Cardiology · Geriatric medicine · Medical Mondays

Only in the description or credits: Littmann Classic II · MediSave

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