GPs asking my occupation

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In the last 2 months I've visited the GP four times. I've had a different doctor each time and they have all asked what I do for a living.
AIBU for thinking that's a bit strange?

It's a standard question when taking a medical history-all doctors are taught to do this.

Depends what you're visiting them for, I suppose. If you have anxiety for example, asking what you do for a living is highly relavant. Likewise, if you have a condition that might be exacerbated by a sedentary office job then the GP would need to know that.

Perfectly standard Q. Different jobs have different potential health risks.

Standard question. It helps them diagnose and treat.

What you do for a living could impact your health, either now, or in the future, so they are right to do this.

Yeah, it's relevant. Mine asked me how I managed to pay for IVF, which really fucked me off.

Iv had this too. I don't think it's strange but I do find it annoying that they have all given me the same response of 'stressful job' and put all my symptoms down to that despite me saying I don't feel stressed and quite enjoy my job. Next time I might be tempted to lie to see if I get a different response.

Stress and possibly exposure to dangers of a job may have an affect on health.

Just yell back - 'FFS I'm a teacher, childminder, SAHP, lawyer, police officer etc. That's why I am here because I am stressed'. Or may be you could understand why the GP is asking you this?

Standard question, but as not very likely to change very often maybe they could have it on the first screen along with age, address so they don't have to ask. OTOH they are really busy so maybe quicker for them to ask again during the consultation.

I got asked my religion at my last appointment with my spinal surgeon I didn't get that either.

I'm relieved it's a standard question. I was starting to feel paranoid.

I recall writing it on the form when I signed up. It would only irk me in the context of their failure to read my notes. "sweetly patient smile - oh dear didn't I write that on the registration form? Would you mind awfully checking to see for me - of course I did, there you go - litigation lawyer" . I'm not but my dh was once asked the question and told the pedantic truth. He was then admitted very very quickly and under the knife at high speed.

Religion is important in terms of making sure you're not a Jehovah's Witness. Blood transfusions could be very relevant in spinal surgery.

Yes it's standard. I always get asked this when my dc have appointments too.

What annoys me is when they ask simply 'What do you do?'. I accept the reason why they ask about occupation, but the half-question leaves scope for a cheeky answer! Once I was there with bad eczema on my hands and was asked 'What do you do?' and I replied 'I wash a lot of dishes'. Which was highly relevant in fact. If I'd still been a nurse that would have been relevant too as I had big trouble with the hand-wash gels and soaps.

Religion is important in terms of making sure you're not a Jehovah's Witness. Blood transfusions could be very relevant in spinal surgery.

I see never thought about that makes sense now.

If you are a solicitor or journalist they get really worried.

Tell them you're a Saggar maker's Bottom Knocker

It's a standard relevant question because some occupations can be risk factors for medical conditions. Don't worry about it.

It's part of taking a clinical history - social history is relevant to your health. What you do, who you live with, hobbies etc.

It comes under the umbrella of assessing and treating a patient holistically.

I noticed that had my occupation and place of work on my medical notes on the screen when I went for my smear last week. She used it to make small talk

ohtheroses people change jobs so the registration form may not be relevant. If people are ill they often change job too.

Of course YABU.
Do people not know how to think for themselves any longer?

It's relevant for all the reason listed and occupation is actually a whole speciality in medicine, which is the area I work in, it's fascinating there are so many things in work that can cause Health conditions.