Still, the most useful tool I have found by far is the free app that connects with the stethoscope via Bluetooth. The app can record heart and lung sounds and produce a visual representation of a heartbeat that is able to be accessed on a phone or tablet. It is a brilliant teaching aid and I have used it to great effect with other students for difficult murmurs or arrhythmias and even with owners, who seem to really appreciate having a higher level of understanding of their pet’s condition. Traditionally auscultation is performed solo and unlike other diagnostic modalities such as imaging where pathology can easily be pointed out by a clinician, auscultation can be frustrating to communicate. I have previously experienced difficulties in explaining what I am hearing or understanding clinicians’ explanations of heart sounds. The eKuore stethoscope and app can make this whole process much clearer and even an interactive group learning experience. I hope to continue to use the app in first opinion practice to build up a digital library of heart sounds which I am able to refer to for a range of species and compare to physiological and pathological conditions. These records can also be used when seeking a second opinion or to effectively communicate with colleagues. Overall, I would highly recommend the eKuore veterinary stethoscope especially to those working in teaching environments. | Still, the most useful tool I have found by far is the free app that connects with the stethoscope via Bluetooth. The app can record heart and lung sounds and produce a visual representation of a heartbeat that is able to be accessed on a phone or tablet. It is a brilliant teaching aid and I have used it to great effect with other students for difficult murmurs or arrhythmias and even with owners, who seem to really appreciate having a higher level of understanding of their pet’s condition. Traditionally auscultation is performed solo and unlike other diagnostic modalities such as imaging where pathology can easily be pointed out by a clinician, auscultation can be frustrating to communicate. I have previously experienced difficulties in explaining what I am hearing or understanding clinicians’ explanations of heart sounds. The eKuore stethoscope and app can make this whole process much clearer and even an interactive group learning experience. I hope to continue to use the app in first opinion practice to build up a digital library of heart sounds which I am able to refer to for a range of species and compare to physiological and pathological conditions. These records can also be used when seeking a second opinion or to effectively communicate with colleagues. Overall, I would highly recommend the eKuore veterinary stethoscope especially to those working in teaching environments. |