By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    tips for getting drugs from an online pharmacy
    How to Get Prescriptions Online Reliably and Cost-Effectively
    November 9, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Congresswoman’s Staff Renews Call for Funding of Care for Complex Head Injuries
    April 22, 2011
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Squandering Medicare’s Money
    June 9, 2011
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Has the iPad Replaced the Stethoscope?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Education > Has the iPad Replaced the Stethoscope?
Medical Education

Has the iPad Replaced the Stethoscope?

KatherineMalbon
Last updated: September 1, 2011 9:26 am
KatherineMalbon
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

 

 
‘Thirty years ago, we depended on 2,000-page texts such as Robbins Basic Pathology and Gray’s Anatomy. We lugged these around and juggled them as we did our anatomical dissections.’ Dr Micael Collins.http://bit.ly/r6b8Hy

 

 

 
‘Thirty years ago, we depended on 2,000-page texts such as Robbins Basic Pathology and Gray’s Anatomy. We lugged these around and juggled them as we did our anatomical dissections.’ Dr Micael Collins.http://bit.ly/r6b8Hy

 

More Read

Vaping Health Risks Raise Alarm About Educating Younger Generations
Important Tips For Positive Mental Health At Work
When 35,000 Healthcare Professionals “Learn” in 35,000 Different Ways…
Advanced Care Planning: What to Do Now
Four Life-Changing Ways To Keep Medical Costs Down
Dr Michael Collins has written a thought provoking article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette today (see above) regarding technology and the next generation of medical students. It really got me thinking about the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ effects of the multitude of on-line resources available to us as Physicians.

 

Having trained in the UK and worked in India for a short while, clinical examination has always been the number one all important aspect of being a great doctor. As a medical student nothing excited me more than finding a patient with positive clinical signs (just like the text books said). I was somewhat dismayed when I came to the USA and had to go through the Licensing exams (USMLE) to find that the clinical examination was with a group of actors who had no ‘real’ clinical signs. The onus of the examination was on communication with the patient. Although equally important, I couldn’t help feeling that this exam could be passed by any socially amiable individual.

 

This morning I arrived early at work to teach the Residents about male genital pathology. During the first 15 minutes we talked about the examination; how to make ourselves feel more comfortable with the examination; how to put the patient at ease; how to feel confident in what we are looking for; how to approach the examination with a system; how to use the examination as a learning situation for the patient (self-testicular examination is important in preventative health care).

 

As I continued to teach about male genital pathology, we kept coming back to ‘clinical examination’ and the importance of the examination in leading to a diagnosis.

 

Today we are so fortunate as Physicians to have instant access to the most current up-to-date information on line. We can access amazing 3D anatomical visuals on-line. We can instantly find out the dose, side effects and interactions of medications. Most physicians have access to the Internet during a consult and many have an iPhone or iPad at hand for instant reference. We no longer depend on our memory.

 

One thing does concern me though. I worry that our clinical skills will be lost among the ‘downloads’ and ‘uploads’. I worry that medical students will be so directed towards accessing information that they will not focus on the clinical examination. Photographs of clinical signs can be found so easily in one quick google search; but there is nothing so thrilling as finding them yourself.

 

I will always believe that the difference between a ‘good’ doctor and a ‘great’ doctor lies in the ability to do a thorough clinical examination and put together the clinical signs to come up with a diagnosis. I then might reach for my iPhone to find out which medication to use….

 

As Physicians and educators we need to ensure that clinical examination skills are not lost and that medical students feel confident in their ability to examine. There should never be an excuse for leaving the stethoscope behind; listening to heart sounds is one thing an iPad can not do.

 


TAGGED:medical education
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

10 YouTube Videos Every Senior Caregiver Should Watch

June 7, 2012
radiologists inattentional blindness
DiagnosticsMedical EducationRadiologySpecialties

Inattentional Blindness and the Invisible Gorilla Study: Are Radiologists at Risk?

March 28, 2013

Career Searching? Don’t Forget Nursing!

December 17, 2015

Applying to Medical School – Do You Know What Your Digital Footprint Looks Like?

April 22, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?