Two hundred professional stethoscope-wearing subjects (from both the ‘cool’ camp and of the ‘traditional’ persuasion) were monitored by stopwatch in order to measure the time required for effective deployment of their instruments. There were stark differences. “The cool group was much slower than the traditional group, despite their younger years. This wasted time could translate into a substantial financial burden on Canada’s health care system.” – say the authors.
The efficacy of stethoscope placement when not in use: traditional versus “cool”. is published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal 2000 December 12; 163(12): 1562–1563.
Coming soon : Stethoscopic investigations (part 3 of 3)