We were pleased that at least 2 people read our paper and we appreciate their comments. We were shocked by the unfortunate assault on David Leak by the medical student and certainly hope a few marks were docked from the student's next examination. Had the doctor's stethoscope been in the cool (circumcervical) position it is possible that strangulation might have ensued, with a less satisfactory outcome.
We agree with Leak that the P position is the safest and most practical but as John Campbell points out this would negate the visibility of the stethoscope as an icon of the physician's (and allied health care provider's) power.
We are confident that all this is just a passing fad and that the next generation of health care providers will become enlightened and wear their stethoscopes in the traditional manner (and their baseball caps forward).