2019 Holiday Gift Guide: 8 great gifts for physicians

For you—the consummate physician—a top-quality lab coat will appeal to both your innate sense of practicality, as well as your sense of style. To this end, Medelita presents its line of ultimate white coats, made of cutting-edge performance fabrics, with the tailoring and fit of a high-end suit. These lab coats are designed to give you optimal range of motion, as well as a slimming, ergonomic fit. The durable fabric is fluid-repellant on the outside, while the inside is designed to wick away moisture and keep you cool even through the most difficult patient visits or hospital rounds. We’re sure that after you tried the Medelita, you won’t be able to go back to just any old white coat. If you’re not sure which style to go with, stick to the classic men’s and women’s white coat looks. 

According to an Amazon customer review from Dr. Shopper, “This lab coat is gorgeous right out of the bag. It's so white it is blue. The material is very thick, built like a blazer not a normal lab coat. So many pockets, very deep. Inside pocket for your cellphone or wallet. I love this lab coat.”

Just recently available in the United States, the ERKA stethoscope may just be the Mercedes of stethoscopes. This sleek, chrome-plated device is truly a German-engineered masterpiece and features a patented dual-membrane sound chamber geometry for unmatched sound precision. Exclusively sold in the United States by Medelita, ERKA stethoscopes boast a pore-free, chrome brass surface that is more resistant to bacteria, and ergonomically shaped, super-soft ear tips with superior noise canceling capabilities. 

 If you’re looking for another classy alternative that’s easier on the pocket, look no further than the Björn Hall Stainless Steel Clinical Stethoscope, which promises to bring “fashion and function to healthcare,” with clinical-grade stainless steel and aluminum binaurals to ensure pure tones. This Scandinavian stethoscope comes ready in a gift box and includes a spare kit, and carrying case. True luxury at an affordable price. For a little more oomph, add a leather carrying case to the gift set, now available in five colors.

One user reviewing the Björn Hall stethoscope wrote, “This stethoscope is phenomenal! Amazing acoustics and clarity. Way better than the Littmann Cardiology II and for a fraction of the cost.”

Despite the extensive reach of electronic medical records, it is still true that doctors can never have too many pens. Enter the Fisher Bullet Space Pen. Completely made of brass with a chrome finish, this pen will write in extreme temps, underwater, and over wet surfaces, at any angle—even upside down. Oft cited as an example of industrial art, the Fisher Bullet Pen has been exhibited at the New York Museum of Modern Art for years. A work of art that has all your note-taking needs covered, even if they’re upside down? A great gift for any physician, don’t you think?

A reviewer wrote, “I LOVE this product! It is fantastic and writes amazing. My only initial concern was it didn't have the best grip, but got used to it after a couple of days! I highly recommend this to anyone contemplating it! It also makes for a GREAT conversation piece!”

For the doctor who loves gadgets—and takes a lot of notes—the new Scanmarker Air Pen Scanner may just be the perfect gift. If this sounds like you, we’ll have you know that the Scanmarker Air is a Bluetooth-enabled device that uses Text Recognition technology to send scanned text directly onto your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Compatible with all Windows, Mac, Apple iOS, and Android devices, this highlighter lets you take notes and annotate, and can even translate from 40 different languages. Whether you’re scanning your own notes, or studying for the boards, this highlighter will definitely come in handy! 

One law student lamented the long study hours which required painstaking, zero-distraction note-taking. Sound familiar, doctor? “I'm studying law, so I often have to read several hundred pages of dense text every week - this really helps to create notes without taking too much extra time or distracting you from following what you're reading (which in law, is often very complicated decisions that relied on earlier decisions, so distraction = disaster!) I've only been using this a short time but it's already invaluable in my opinion. Less time note-taking, more organized notes... it's a win-win!”

PRESSE by Bobble is a French coffee press and insulated stainless steel travel tumbler designed for on-the-go, anytime coffee and tea brewing. For those working the graveyard shift or answering an emergency on-call situation on the go, this coffee press/mug is the ideal gadget because it’s not only portable, but will keep your coffee or tea warm for hours with three-wall insulation in case things get out of hand. Made of high-quality, food-grade stainless steel, the PRESSE is dishwasher safe, and features a built-in micro-filter for brewing coffee or even steeping loose tea leaves. 

“Best press of this design. I like the almost all-metal construction. The lid has a slightly plastic odor at first, but it has gone away with cleaning,” wrote one reviewer.

Weighted blankets are all the rage this year, but did you know there was such a thing as a weighted eye pillow? NodPod has just such a thing, and it may just help you catch a quick nap during the day, especially if you’re an ER physician. Its outer shell is made of 50% cotton on one side (for cooling) and 50% polyester (for warmth) on the other. Its long enough to use in any position (including upright), and its weight provides a constant pressure that is said to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as promote restful sleep. You know what they say, a well-rested doctor is a better doctor.

Try this hack for your mid-day head pains, from an Amazon reviewer, “Absolutely perfect. Loved it so much I bought another one for my friend!! Cannot recommend this product enough for troubled sleepers. The cool side is also excellent for headaches.”

And for the physician looking to upgrade their travel brigade, nothing beats a brand new set of Murtisol Expandable ABS spinner suitcases. The set includes four pieces—all of which are expandable, hard bodied, and come with TSA-approved locks. Lightweight and durable, the set includes one of each of the following: 16” case, 20” case, 24” case, and 28” case. They’re like the Russian nesting dolls of luggage, making for easy storage. Other great features include 360° double silent wheels and a hard-wearing, waterproof, lightweight, durable ABS outer construction. This set will see you through many medical conferences and vacations to come. 

Several reviews boast the size and quality of this durable set. One reviewer wrote, “I recently went on a 2-week trip to Europe. I packed for a 3-week stay. Using just the large luggage, I was able to pack EVERYTHING I needed and still had lots of space to spare. The wheels are so fluid and I love how easy it is to handle. I love how durable the outside material is, it made it back home to the US with no damage.”

For busy doctors, taking a break or vacation is always a welcome reprieve from difficult patients, long hours, EHR demands, and just daily practice in general. A subscription to Condé Nast Travelermay be just what you need to help plan your next vacation. And if that’s too far away on the horizon, just paging through this beautiful magazine can be a vacation in itself. Traveler helps you keep up with the latest and greatest travel destinations, with articles from seasoned travel writers and incredible photos. Of course, you would expect nothing less from a magazine that’s won 25 National Magazine Awards. Check out their great holiday deals for 1- and 2-year print and digital subscriptions.