Equipped with documents, a plastic bag and his own computer, the former municipal supervisor took his place in the witness box in Trøndelag District Court. For the judge, the 55-year-old confirmed that he wanted to give his opinion on the extensive accusation of abuse that is directed against him.
– I feel I have been creative in many contexts. To save money for the public sector, Bye said.
He presented himself as someone who sacrificed leisure time, health and his own finances to take care of the deed as a GP in Frosta municipality when he explained himself in court.
He told the court how he had been available to the patients in Frosta at all hours of the day and for all years.
– Smart
In a rather unusual session over several hours, an increasingly confident Bye explained in detail to the court common ailments in the lower abdomen, and how he chose to go about examining his female patients.
Throughout the 23-page indictment is that the doctor has carried out actions that are not medically adequate.
During the prosecution’s introduction on Tuesday, it became known that the municipal superintendent had repeatedly used non-medical equipment such as bottles, a vibrator, a side inhaler and a deodorant-like object during gynecological examinations.
– I think it was, I’m not going to use the term brilliant, but it was clever, said Bye about his own use of an oblong stainless steel inhaler for asthma medicine to inspect women’s cervixes.
Referred to himself as “village doctor”
When the four-month trial began on Tuesday, Bye pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 35 counts of abuse of position as a doctor. He is accused of 87 rapes and 94 cases of abuse of his position.
– This will be a bit from a village doctor’s point of view, but I think it should make it clear how I have seen things. Focus on using alternative equipment, which I have used. Why have I used video documentation, he said further.
Over 47,000 hours of filmed footage from a number of cameras hidden inside the doctor’s office were found. The films showed 219 different women who had visited their GP. Common to all of them was that they had been secretly filmed while they were fully or partially undressed.
Bye has referred to the filming as part of the documentation he has undertaken of his work.
No continuing education
After 25 years as a GP in Frosta, he was suspended and deprived of the right to work as a doctor after reports of rape came. In court, Bye gave the impression that he, almost single-handedly, had made up the stable health service in the municipality after many years with doctors on duty and foreign visiting doctors with poor Norwegian skills.
Even when he broke his neck in 2012, he was away from work for more than a few days.
– I would like to wish that I could be on sick leave sometime, but I have not had the experience of that being possible for me, said Bye.
Bye explained that after he had first come to the municipality of Trønder as a newly qualified doctor, he had never applied for further specialization or courses in gynaecology. He described himself as self-taught in gynecology.
Guarantor
Bye explained to the court that he had had problems releasing the patients, that he requested extra tests, X-rays and thorough examinations in order to be able to appear as a guarantor of their state of health.
– My role as guarantor has led to me doing a lot of research to be sure, said Bye.
He maintained that he could be distracted when meeting the patients, and that this was probably the reason why he had often asked them to take off all their clothes.
– I have been careless here. But I have never received any feedback on this, but when I look at the video, I see that it is strange and inappropriate, Bøe said in court.
Notified compensation
– The extent of this case is both demanding and comforting. It is a comfort not to be alone. It is tough to be alone in a morality case, said co-ordinating assistant lawyer Tove Røddesnes when she commented on the prosecution.
The public prosecutor announced the extent of the damages that will be paid for the total of 94 victims in the case. Røddesnes pointed out that the standard amount for rape victims was about NOK 250,000.
She said that approximately 34 of the victims had experienced rape alongside sexual intercourse while meeting with the doctor, and 53 had been subjected to abuse equivalent to rape without intercourse. Seven women are said to have experienced abuse in relationships of superior power, but without having experienced rape.
#Frosta #doctor #creative
**Interview with Dr. Mads Gilbert on Ethical Practices in Medicine**
**Editor:** Good day, Dr. Gilbert. Thank you for joining us. Given recent events in Trøndelag District Court involving Dr. Bye’s controversial practices, what are your thoughts on ethical medical conduct?
**Dr. Mads Gilbert:** Thank you for having me. The situation with Dr. Bye is indeed alarming and highlights the critical importance of maintaining ethical standards in medicine. Healthcare professionals have a profound responsibility to uphold the trust placed in them by their patients.
**Editor:** Dr. Bye has been accused of grave misconduct, including using non-medical equipment during examinations. How can such lapses occur in a medical environment?
**Dr. Mads Gilbert:** Such lapses often stem from a combination of personal failings and a systemic lack of oversight. It’s crucial for healthcare providers to engage in continuous education and supervision. When doctors operate in isolation—especially in smaller communities—the risk of ethical breaches increases significantly.
**Editor:** It’s been reported that he filmed numerous patients without their consent. What are your views on patient consent and privacy?
**Dr. Mads Gilbert:** Patient consent is the cornerstone of medical ethics. Every patient has the right to privacy and to be fully informed about any procedure they’re undergoing. Violating this trust not only does harm to individuals but also undermines the integrity of the entire medical profession.
**Editor:** Dr. Bye referred to his methods as “clever” for his documentation. What is your stance on the use of documentation in medical practice?
**Dr. Mads Gilbert:** While documentation is essential for maintaining accurate medical records and improving patient care, it must always be done transparently and ethically. Any form of covert filming or lack of informed consent is not only unethical but criminal.
**Editor:** what message would you like to send to the medical community regarding this case?
**Dr. Mads Gilbert:** My message is clear—ethics and compassion must remain at the forefront of our practice. We must learn from these troubling incidents and reinforce the systems of accountability and support that protect both patients and honest healthcare providers. It’s essential to foster an environment where ethical challenges can be discussed openly and addressed collectively.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Gilbert, for sharing your insights with us. Your emphasis on ethics is a vital reminder of the responsibilities that come with the privilege of being a healthcare provider.
