My thoughts have crystalized on the amount of medical information you need to know to compently underwrite life mortality risk. Consider what follows to be totally unscientific and strong personal opinion based on experience. I developed this opinion from reading way too many APS’s in my lifetime and some recent observations from #1, the pre-Med student. After shadowing some doctors and observing a few colonoscopies, an EGD and knee arthroscopy up close and personal, #1 made this comment:

“Wow, specialists need to know a lot more than a family medicine doctor.”

Classic Duh, what do you think? But his comment got me thinking about what we do for fun and money. I have always thought I would make a good GP/Family Medicine type of doctor. Aside from the real world reasons why I didn’t pick that path, I understood intuitively why I have felt that way. I am the ultimate generalist. I like to do something intensely for a few years and then do something else. This drives my wife crazy. It’s not a real good strategy either for building up a nice pension. I also don’t recommend this strategy for career development. But hey, it’s what I am.

I’m drifting here. My thoughts have crystallized. We are underwriters. We don’t need nor will ever use the knowledge a specialist in medicine requires. All we need to be are halfway decent family medicine practitioners with an emphasis on preventative care. We need to understand what diseases and what behaviors will kill you. So how do you become a quasi-family practice person without the medical school training? I have to think about this some more. As always, comments and input are appreciated.