A GP trailblazer farewelled

Hundreds gathered for the funeral of GP trailblazer Emeritus Professor John Murtagh on Thursday to farewell a man known as ‘the guiding light of general practice’.
 
One of the most recognisable GP names in the world, Professor Murtagh passed away on 18 October at the age of 89, prompting a flow of heart-felt condolences and tributes.
 
Professor Murtagh taught, mentored and inspired generations of GPs, including several RACGP presidents, and is best known for his work on the book John Murtagh’s General Practice, which was first published in 1994 and soon became known as a ‘bible’ for medical students and professionals.
 
He was farewelled by wife Dr Jill Murtagh and their five children – two of which followed their father’s footsteps into a career in medicine – alongside friends and prominent GP leaders.
 
In attendance were Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright and CEO Georgina van de Water.
 
Professor Murtagh’s family spoke of a kind, generous and compassionate man, with a brilliant mind and work ethic that saw him rise to the heights of his profession. He was known for his ‘great sense of fun’ and ability to connect with everyone.
 
His son Luke described three characteristics that created ‘a recipe for greatness’ at whatever Professor Murtagh applied himself to: ‘an extreme passion for learning, an obsessive-like focus and a tireless work ethic’.
 
‘He was one of the most consequential contributors to medical education, general practice and healthcare nationally and arguably globally, a pioneer and visionary whose services were given with humility and selflessness to help and serve the medical and wider communities,’ he told the gathering.
 
Speaking of Professor Murtagh’s work educating the next generation of doctors, Luke described the ‘powerful and unique combination’ his father had of extensive clinical knowledge and qualifications alongside experience in teaching and education.
 
‘I was lucky enough about 25 years ago to listen in on one of his lectures as a medical student. His lectures were clear, concise, entertaining and memorable. He had a great, quirky sense of humour – he loved to include a joke wherever he could,’ he said.
 
‘In the days before PowerPoint presentations, he conveyed wisdom and had a clear vision of what skilled clinicians and general practitioners required for competent practice.
 
‘He was also passionate about accurate diagnosis, developing the famous Murtagh Diagnostic Model, and also the importance of communication skills in general practice.’
 
Luke also paid tribute to his father’s ‘magnum opus, his great work’ – the John Murtagh’s General Practice book – which he said was known within the family household ‘simply as the book’.
 
‘He was very proud of this. I remember him holding it, declaring that 22 years of work went into it ... It was groundbreaking,’ Luke said.
 
‘Someone around the world right now is consulting this book to aid in providing medical care to a patient in need, and we’re so proud of how he continues to live on through his book.’
 
Another son of Professor Murtagh, Paul, spoke of his father’s genuine care for people and his love of helping others.
 
He also spoke of Professor Murtagh’s other great loves – cricket and watching Don Bradman play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the AFL and his role as a Hawthorn Football Club doctor, horseracing, playing tennis, and enjoying a cup of tea and a biscuit.
 
‘He had faith in himself and faith in his family, his loved ones, all his children, his grandchildren, he had faith in the medical profession, he had faith in his work,’ Paul said.
 
‘He was an incredible father to all five of us, always there for a guiding hand.
 
‘To Dad, on behalf of all our family, all your friends and colleagues, thank you for all that you did and for all that you were, a remarkable life in which you loved your family and in which you educated, helped, cared for and inspired the lives of so, so many.’
 
Past Prime Minister and Health Minister Tony Abbott, who worked alongside Professor Murtagh to improve the delivery of medical training across the country described Professor Murtagh as ‘a shining example’.
 
‘One of the privileges of being Health Minister was coming into contact with Professor John Murtagh, a wonderful man and a giant of medicine,’ he wrote in the service program.
 
‘He could easily have become a high-end city specialist but realised that the heart of good medicine is general practice.
 
‘Hence, he and his wife were country GPs for a decade before he turned to the academy and became a legendary teacher and inspiration to two generations of doctors.
 
‘His influence will live on through his famous textbook, now in its ninth edition, that has become the bible for GPs around the world, including in China. One of the best features of medicine is the idealism which still marks the profession in which John Murtagh was a shining example.’
 
Hosting the service, church leaders described Professor Murtagh as ‘one of Australia’s finest men’.
 
‘In his youth, he was a pretty good footballer, that might surprise people,’ the service heard.
 
‘He and his cousin Les Kaine were invited to train at Hawthorn. He went with his late cousin Les and they went down to Hawthorn, and we know Les Kaine went on to play more than a hundred games for Hawthorn.
 
‘John didn’t continue with his football because his medical studies took first place.
 
‘If it wasn’t for becoming a great specialist, as a professor of medicine, he may have been a great VFL footballer.’
 
Australia’s medical community is fortunate because of the path he chose to walk.
 
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