this CMAJ report is from December 2000 and was hilarious!
The generally recognized "hip" look is to drape the stethoscope around the back of the neck like a towel. Traditionalists hang it like a pendant. But does one style have an advantage over the other?
... The Canadian Medical Association Journal recently published "research" indicating that it takes the average heath care professional about 3.2 seconds to transfer a stethoscope from the cool position to his or her ears and listen; it takes just 1.9 seconds from the traditional position. Multiplying the extra time by 20 - about how many times a day a stethoscope is used - researchers factored in the predicted number of hip clinicians in Canada and their average hourly rate ($75). The cost of looking cool adds up to about $20.5 million per year.
(Hey, I'm a better person for knowing all this, ar! en't you? I guess stuffing the damn thing in your lab coat pocket is hopelessly wasteful of time and energy, not to mention not letting you show off your Littmann "L" that shows you know a good scope - better change my ways!)
Title: FW: "The Cost of Cool"
