Re: Stethoscope technology and use

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 68, No. 7, September 2026, Page 231 Letters
By: Anthony Walter, MB BCh

In his letter about chest auscultation [BCMJ 2026;68:159], Dr Murray Trusler poses two questions: Why are doctors not applying stethoscopes to bare skin, and why are they not using electronic stethoscopes?

René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec is said to have placed his ear directly to the bare chest of his patients. Then he transitioned to a tube of rolled paper for the sake of modesty, particularly with female patients (others say he did it to avoid the fleas).

While I occasionally experienced the latter when examining patients, perhaps modesty, medicolegal concerns, speed, and laziness are to be considered as the reasons for the current practice of auscultation through clothing.

As regards electronic stethoscopes, the cost (close to $2000 for some models) is undoubtedly a major prohibiting factor for medical students. That is when most of us make the investment in our first instrument, which we then continue with into office practice.

But Dr Trusler is correct that we seniors need all the help we can get when auscultating. As an intern in 1966, I recall eagerly presenting my findings of a faint diastolic murmur to the patient’s older attending physician. When I asked for his opinion about it, he replied, “I tell you, Walter . . . I don’t hear so good.”
—Anthony Walter, MB BCh
Coldstream

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Anthony Walter, MB BCh. Re: Stethoscope technology and use. BCMJ, Vol. 68, No. 7, September, 2026, Page(s) 231 - Letters.


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