Which Medical instruments should a family practitioner purchase in preparing a private practice?.
- Author:
Yoo Seock CHEONG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
private practice;
family physician;
medical instrument
- MeSH:
Defibrillators;
Electrocardiography;
Humans;
Laser Therapy;
Otoscopes;
Physicians, Family;
Private Practice*;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
1998;19(12):1410-1418
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate medical instrument purchases by Korean family practitianers in private practice. We then proposed guidelines for purchasing equipment for new physicians who are just beginning their private practice. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 646 family practitioners managing their private clinics. The questiannaire assessed current medical equipment purchases. They were then asked which instruments they would recommend or discourage others from purchasing. We analysed 123 returned questionnaires (19%). RESULTS: The number of instruments they have was between 4 to 26, and the average was 13. The most frequently owned items included in descending order: otoscope (89.9%), electrocardiograph(82.5 %), ophthahnoscope(78.9%), ultrasound(78%), ultraviolet sterihzer(73.2%) and microscope(69.9%). The instruments they recommended avoiding were sigmoidoscope(27.3%), cryo-therapy kit(25%), laser therapy kit(21.1%), thermo-hemorrhoidectomy instrument(20%), and defibrillator (20%). Instruments they recornmended purchasing were otoscope(87.0%), electrocardiograph (83.0%), ultrasound(74.8%), gastrofiberscope(65.9%), ultraviolet sterilizer(63.4%), microscope(57.7%), and plain radiographic unit(<100mA, 56.1%). The most frequent advice given in purchasing medical instruments was "Avoid over (purchasing) at the beginning". Some instruments were different in possession rate according to sex, age, and practice patterns. CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated medical instrument purchases of Korean family practitianers in private practice. This compiled list may be of benefit to new physicians who are just opening their own clinic.
