FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Stryker — From Gallup Test to Wheelchair vs Scooter

You're probably here because you've got specific questions about Stryker products—maybe you're a new clinical specialist prepping for an assessment, or a patient trying to weigh your options between a wheelchair and a scooter. Or maybe you just saw the word "Gallup test" and panicked. I get it. Let me cut through the noise.

In my role as a clinical support specialist in a Level I trauma center, I've fielded hundreds of calls from OR teams, procurement managers, and even patients' families about these exact questions. So here's what I've learned—laid out in the order you'd probably ask them.

1. Why does everyone keep talking about Stryker? What makes them stand out?

Fair question. It's not just hype. Stryker has one of the broadest portfolios in medical devices—hospital beds, stretchers, surgical instruments, endoscopy, imaging, robotics (like the Mako system), and infection control products. That breadth matters because it means one vendor can solve multiple workflow problems. When your hospital standardizes on Stryker, you get consistent equipment interfaces, training, and service. That's huge in a busy OR.

2. What is the Gallup test for Stryker, and do I need to prepare for it?

You're referring to the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment used during recruitment. It's not a pass/fail test—it's a tool Stryker uses to understand how you naturally work. When I first applied, I assumed it was some kind of personality test with trick questions. It's not. It's about identifying your top five strengths (like Achiever, Learner, Strategic). My advice? Don't overthink the answers. Be honest. Stryker's culture values transparency and practical problem-solving. If you try to game it, you'll just end up in a role that doesn't fit.

3. So what does a clinical specialist at Stryker actually do day-to-day?

I'm not a Stryker employee myself, but I've worked alongside dozens of their clinical specialists. Think of them as the bridge between the company and the OR. They train surgical teams on new equipment (like the Mako robotic arm), troubleshoot during procedures, and provide feedback to R&D. It's not a 9-to-5 role. I've seen them scrub in for 12-hour surgeries on back-to-back days. The best ones know the anatomy cold and can anticipate what a surgeon needs before they ask. It's demanding but rewarding.

4. Does Stryker make pacemakers? I keep seeing that keyword.

Short answer: No, Stryker doesn't manufacture pacemakers. They're primarily known for orthopedics (hips, knees, robotics), surgical equipment, and hospital beds. Pacemakers are a core product for companies like Medtronic, Abbott, and Boston Scientific. It's an easy confusion to make—both fields involve implantable devices. But if you're looking specifically for cardiac rhythm management, you'd want to look elsewhere. To be fair, Stryker does have strong monitoring products in critical care, just not implants for pacing.

5. What about electric wheelchairs? Stryker makes hospital beds, right?

Right again—Stryker doesn't produce consumer electric wheelchairs. Their mobility products focus on hospital stretchers (like the Stryker Prime), bariatric beds, and ambulance cots. If you're a patient or caregiver looking for a power wheelchair, you'd be looking at brands like Invacare, Permobil, or Pride Mobility. That said, Stryker does make powered stretchers that share some technology with wheelchairs (like battery systems and maneuverability), but they're designed for clinical transport, not daily independent use.

6. Wheelchair vs mobility scooter—how do I know which one I actually need?

I've seen patients make the wrong choice here, and it's costly. Here's the honest breakdown: Wheelchairs (manual or power) are for people who need to sit all day and navigate tight indoor spaces—doorways, bathrooms, kitchen corners. Mobility scooters are better for outdoor use (sidewalks, parks, malls) and longer distances, but they're big. You can't take a scooter into a narrow bathroom. If you live in an apartment or need to transfer to a car often, a power wheelchair is usually more practical. If you have good upper body strength and just need a boost for errands, a scooter might work. No one-size-fits-all, and I won't pretend there is.

7. I'm choosing between an electric wheelchair and a scooter for my parent. What do you wish you'd known sooner?

Don't hold me to every detail, but after helping several families through this decision, the biggest surprise is always the turning radius. Scooters need 5–6 feet to turn around. Most homes don't have that. Also, check door width—standard is 32 inches. Most scooters are 24–28 inches wide, which seems fine until you add hand grips. I once saw a $3,000 scooter delivered to a house where it couldn't pass through the bedroom door. They had to return it. A compact power wheelchair (like a Pride Jazzy Air) would have worked. Measure first, buy second.

8. One last thing—Stryker and surgical robots. Is that just hype or real?

It's real, but not magic. Stryker's Mako system is widely used for joint replacements (knee, hip, shoulder). I've seen it in action: the surgeon uses a 3D model from a CT scan, then the robotic arm guides cuts within millimeters. It doesn't replace the surgeon—it gives them more precision. Recovery time seems faster, and there's less blood loss in some cases. But it's also expensive and requires training. If you're a hospital considering it, think about case volume. For low-volume centers, the ROI is tough. For high-volume ortho practices, it's a different story.

This was accurate as of early 2025. The medical device industry changes fast—especially in reimbursement codes and new product launches—so always verify current specs and pricing. But these are the questions I've answered most often, and I hope this saves you some time.