Olav Rutle in Memoriam

Abstract

Olav Rutle died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 51 on August 23, 1996. His family has lost a very dear husband and father, his patients have lost an outstanding and empathic general practitioner, his medical students have lost a highly respected and esteemed teacher, the Institute of General Practice has lost a most valuable co-worker, Norwegian and Nordic general practice have lost an exceptional colleague, and I have lost a very close friend. I have known Olav for more than 20 years and worked closely with him most of those years. He had a unique position in Norwegian general practice, working part-time as an associate professor and part-time in general practice. He worked hard, never neglecting his patients or his commitments at the Institute. He was a pioneer in medical education, introducing new ideas and new teaching methods. His experience from his own practice was always the basis for his teaching. As one of the first, and certainly as the best, he told the students how difficult it is to live with one’s doubts to treat or not to treat, to admit to hospital or not and how hard it is to admit one’s failures. How does one live with one’s serious mistakes? The students listened with open ears and tears in their eyes when Olav told them about this aspect of a physician’s life, an aspect very few, if any, had made part of their teaching. Olav Rutle graduated from Medical School in Oslo in 1970. After internship and four years of general practice, he became a research fellow in the Department of Health Services Research. In 1986 he defended his medical thesis, an in-depth study of Norwegian general practice. One year later he joined the Department of General Practice at the University of Oslo, where he worked part-time until his death. It is impressive what Olav accomplished in his relatively short academic life. As a member of numerous committees and subcommittees related to medical education, organization of general practice, quality assurance and health service for physicans, he influenced many aspects of general practice through his knowledge, sound judgement and his wisdom. He had a quiet, humorous way of expressing his opinions. When Olav spoke, we others listened. We seldom went wrong when we followed his advice. It is incomprehensible that Olav is no longer with us: he had so much more to give. Life is unfair in not giving him time to implement his undone deeds. We who remain will try to carry on his work and his ideas. The memory of Olav will always be with us. In the future many of us will ask What would Olav have said? What would Olav have done? The answers will be our guidance.