title: The role of the surgeon in the care of the critically ill or injured patient.
abstract: The role of the surgeon in the ICU has the potential to move in two different directions. Inattention or a lack of commitment by surgery as a discipline will lead to withdrawal from the critical care setting. This would be a significant loss for surgery as well as for future generations of surgeons. Surgery instead may commit to a greater interest and involvement in ICUs, which would help to continue the surgeon's active role in all aspects of medical progress.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D016638:Critical Illness; D005544:Forecasting; D013502:General Surgery; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010819:Physician's Role; D013663:Teaching