Worth Wasting Money On Equipment?

I’ve seen questions from PA students who ask what equipment they need for PA school. Typically before you start your program they will give you a list of recommended equipment and to be honest I think it’s a little silly for them to do this. This typically applies to medical school students as well. Both my roommates during PA school were in medical school and they also had to buy the equipment.

I think the main reason they want you to have the equipment is so that you can practice doing the physical exam at home but long term you probably won’t use your own equipment. For any testing that was done during PA school including the OSCEs the equipment was always provided. When you’re done with school the clinic that you work at will most likely have everything you need. The clinics I’ve worked at have always had otoscopes, ophthamaloscopes, tuning forks, reflex hammers, stethescopes, and any other equipment I’ve needed; so it seems like a waste of money to buy all the equipment.

If you’re going to do missions work or something like that it might be nice to have your own stuff because you never know what you’ll need but other than that once you’re done with PA school you probably won’t use any of your own personal equipment that you buy for school. Some schools “provide” the equipment for you which means they force you into buying it and charge you in your student fees; which makes your decision on this easier but if you have the option of choosing your own stuff, choose wisely. If you’re not able to borrow stuff and can’t get by without getting your equipment here are some of the things I would recommend.

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3M Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope, Black Plated Chestpiece and Eartubes, Black Tube, 27 inch, 3131BE
The one piece of equipment I would recommend getting is a stethoscope. I personally still use the Littmann Cardiology III that I bought when I was in school. When I was working in the hospital I used it a lot and still continue to use my own in the clinic. There are a lot of other options out there but from the other ones I’ve used I still like this one the best.

Welch Allyn 3.5v Coaxial / Macroview Diagnostic Set- New in Original Green WA Box Sealed
For a good Otoscope and Opthalmoscope set by a reputable brand like Welch Allyn it is expensive. If you can get by without purchasing these, I would, once you’re in practice your clinic will most likely have these available as they are usually attached to the walls in the exam rooms. One word of advice is if you are going to purchase one, don’t get a cheap one. I made the mistake of getting a Riester Diagnostics set because it was way less than the Welch Allyn but I got what I paid for and it never worked well.

White Coat Deluxe Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Professional Blood Pressure Cuff Monitor with Adult Sized Black Cuff and Carrying Case Bonus LED Penlight with Pupil Gauge
Again, once you’re practicing you won’t ever use a BP cuff again but great to have for when Grandma asks you to take her blood pressure.

Opoway Nurse Penlight Medical White Led Pen Light with Pupil Gauge Measurements for Doctor Stethoscope Healthcare Nursing School Students Reusable Batteries Free
A pen light is actually nice to have for rotations but you can usually find these for free, as with the blood pressure cuff above it comes with a free penlight. Haven’t used a pen light since finishing PA school as I use the light from the ophthalmoscope.

Prestige Medical 3909 Snellen Pocket Eye Chart
I don’t ever use a pocket eye chart. Easier to use one that is on the wall if you’re going to use it and clinically makes more sense than carrying around a pocket eye chart. Maybe useful if you’re working in the hospital and doing rounds?

 

Prestige Taylor Percussion Hammer with Stealth Black Head
Nice to have a reflex hammer handy. We have these in the drawers in our exam rooms so I don’t use a personal reflex hammer. Maybe depending on what you’re working in and if you’re doing hospital rounds it might be nice to have your own.

ADC 256 Hz Medical-Grade Tuning Fork Instrument with Fixed Weights, Non-Magnetic Aluminum Alloy
Same thing with the tuning fork and measuring tape.

Mabis Retractable Tape Measure, Compact Flexibile Tape Measure, Blue
That is some of the equipment that you might be asked to get for PA school. Most of it you’re not ever going to need again once you’re out of PA school. The only thing I’d for sure buy is your own stethescope otherwise I’d talk to classmates about sharing or try to borrow things from previous graduates.

I always recommend shopping around and by using the link below to find anything else you might be looking for on amazon it helps us keep this website going.

Shop on Amazon.com for any of your PA needs

Any thoughts from practicing PAs? Does anyone else use the equipment they bought in PA school? Comment below for any other recommendations.