The one tool that every doctor and nurse uses and has wrapped around their neck is a stethoscope. The stethoscope is an amazing medical device that allows us to listen to the heart, diagnose murmur and other cardiovascular diseases.
The stethoscope also enables us to listen to the patient’s respiratory system to see if they have wheezing or other breathing problems, like bronchitis or asthma. Whatever the case is, the stethoscope is always the first medical tool for most first-year healthcare students, which is why it's a very special and meaningful piece of equipment.
As the stethoscope often represents a healthcare provider's passion and heart in their specialty, many may often want to personalize it. This is where we often ask ourselves, "should I have my brand new stethoscope engraved?" Fortunately, we are here to give you some insights on engraving stethoscopes. If you're looking for a new bling stethoscope, we've got you covered!
How Are Stethoscopes Engraved?
Before we dive deep into the topic of whether or not to engrave your stethoscope, let us explore how stethoscopes are engraved. These special devices are engraved through a process called etching. Etching entails burning the metal surface to give it a painting appearance. Usually, the engraver will burn the side of the bell to incorporate the provider's name, design, or any information. Fortunately, etching does not change the way anyone hears through the stethoscope.
Why Should You Engrave Your Stethoscope?
There are a variety of reasons why you should engrave your stethoscope. With that in mind, here are some common reasons to consider:
Easy to Find
If you are constantly losing your stuff, like your stethoscope, then it’s a good idea to get it engraved. Just imagine losing a Littmann stethoscope; that is like hundreds of dollars falling out of your pocket. If you engrave your name and phone number on the stethoscope, someone will most likely call you if they find your it lying around. Unfortunately, if someone finds a stethoscope without any contact information or identification, they are most likely going to take it and wrap it around their neck or put it in their pocket. After all, it’s a free stethoscope; who would be so stupid to deny such a gift.
Enhance Branding
If you own a private practice, then branding is very important to you. Having the proper branding for your outpatient clinic can set you apart from the competitors and help you connect with your patient. That is why engraving your clinic logo and name on the stethoscope can set you apart and give you a professional and creative vibe. It will give your overall practice a unique persona and character. When your patient comes in to visit your clinic and see that you are in your scrub and stethoscope with the engraved logo and name, they know that they are in good hands.
Meaningful Gift for The Next Generation
If you are a successful practicing physician, nurse, or any type of healthcare provider, and would like to pass on your passion to the next generation, then it’s highly recommended that you engrave your stethoscope. Once you retire, you can give your engraved stethoscope to your kids or grandkids. This serves as a meaningful present that symbolizes your passion and skill set being passed down from one generation to another in hopes that the individual receiving this gift may think about pursuing healthcare.
Receive Compliments
If you are the type of individual who likes decorating your scrubs and white coat, then an engraved stethoscope is a must-have. The best part is engraving the stethoscope with your favorite design and style that complements your uniform. This will definitely give you a lot of compliments that can lead to a great conversation and networking opportunities.
More Professional
Engraving your name, title, and department can really help you instill confidence within your patient. In fact, it makes you look a little more professional and prestigious. Keep in mind that whenever patients visit a hospital, they always want to know who the doctors are and what specialty they are in. Seeing an engraved stethoscope with all that information gives them peace of mind that they are in the right place. Another thing is that hospitals are always busy, and various individuals are working in different specialties If your stethoscope is engraved, people will immediately know who you are and what you specialize in, so they can confidently ask you for help or advice.
More Personalized
Since the stethoscope is a meaningful device in the medical community, it would make sense to engrave it to make it more personalized. Since this is the tool that you will have in your coat, scrubs, and around your neck, why not add a personal touch to it to show that it belongs to you and no one else. The great part about personalizing an item is knowing that it is designed for you and not someone else. It’s almost like being in a committed relationship. The most special part about that is your significant other cannot date or be in a relationship with another person because they are with you. Therefore, engraving your stethoscope is equivalent to being in a committed relationship with this medical device.
Less Likely to Get Stolen
People are most likely to steal things without any identification or contact on them. For example, if your stethoscope is not engraved with your name or any information, anyone can steal it. Another healthcare provider can take it or just about anyone on the street. Plus, people can sell your stethoscope because there’s no information to prevent them from doing it.
However, if you engrave your name and contact information on the stethoscope, people are less likely to steal it. It makes sense because why would anyone want to sell a stethoscope with the name David Richardson engraved on it. The buyer wouldn’t even take it because, most likely, his or her name is not David Richardson. Plus, any healthcare provider that takes the stethoscope and uses it would feel kind of stupid because that’s not their name. The patient would even feel uncomfortable with that as well. Once the stethoscope is engraved, it loses value in other people's eyes, but its value increases significantly in your eyes.
Excellent Gifts
If you have a friend or family member graduating from medical school, nursing school, PA school, or any healthcare provider school, then getting an engraved stethoscope with their name and title on it is an excellent gift. This shows that you value their hard work and are extremely proud of their accomplishment that you want to give them something meaningful and personalize.
When Should You Not Engrave Your Stethoscope?
The main reason for not engrave your stethoscope is if you plan to sell it in the future. Keep in mind that when you engrave your stethoscope, people are less likely to make a purchase. They don’t see the item as valuable anymore because it has been personalized to fit another person’s style and personality.
However, if your stethoscope is left pure and without any engravings, then it’s more valuable, and people are more likely to purchase it even though it’s secondhand. The fact that it hasn’t been personalized means there is an opportunity for the buyer to make adjustments or changes. Plus, a secondhand stethoscope without engraving or any customization is often more affordable than the ones at the store, which is why people who are on a budget are more likely to take their wallets out to make a purchase.
Does Engraving a Stethoscope Damage It?
Engraving the side of the bell will not damage your stethoscope. However, if you engrave the tube of the stethoscope, then that can interrupt the sound as the engraving can crack or fracture it. This is why it’s highly recommended to engrave the side of the bell instead of the tube.
Bottom Line
Whether or not you should engrave your stethoscope depends on your preference. If you plan to stick with this specific device for a long time without it leaving your side to another person, then definitely engrave it. Engraving your stethoscope will prevent it from getting stolen, makes you look more professional, makes an excellent branding tool, makes you look good, help you personalize it, and much more.
However, if you do plan to sell your stethoscope, then it is not a good idea to engrave it. Overall, it depends on what you plan to do with it that determines whether you should engrave it.
