Yesterday I had a routine yearly cardiology exam. At the end, my doctor sat back and asked if I had any questions. I looked at him and asked, “Do you know what I do professionally?”

He looked a little surprised and sat back in his chair and said I guess we have never talked about that. I suppose he simply thought I am retired, but he has been my doctor for 24 years and had never asked what I do or did for work.

After I told him what I still do after a lifetime of woodwork and construction, as well as being a manufacturing engineer, he seemed even more surprised. I then handed him my card and told him to check out my website.

Five minutes later, while I was waiting for the scheduler to assign a date for my next visit, the doctor came back and said he had visited my website and was impressed by what I do.

On the way home I thought about this interaction and realized that over at least the past forty years I have had five primary care doctors, one cardiologist, one surgeon, and four ophthalmologists. And to this point this was only the second time that any of them had any idea of what I do or did for work. Sadly, this was only because I told them since they had never asked.

Wouldn’t you think this should be important for a doctor who is treating you to know?

Ken Kaiyala
2-22-2024