Foreword

Article Outline

• Copyright

When I was asked to write a forward about “MODS,” the acronym did not initially stir up a wealth of enthusiasm. In fact, I was not entirely sure what MODS stood for. So I looked at the manuscript and saw the title “Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome” and I was at least savvy enough to connect the title to the acronym. While I intend this to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, I have to admit that I was uncertain of the level of interest that this subject would generate among our readers. Was this Disease-a-Month issue going to be of relevance to a large primary care audience?

After reading Dr. Mizock's detailed description of MODS, I think it does indeed have relevance to a broad spectrum of primary care providers. For those practitioners who still do inpatient work, particularly in the ICU, Mizock gives a detailed explanation of the pathophysiology of MODS, details its risk factors, describes steps to identify and intervene early, and details how to treat those individuals who progress. For physicians who medically manage acutely ill surgical patients, this monograph will undoubtedly help identify and reinforce strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these critically ill patients.

However, I believe that those providers who may not manage ICU patients or only do outpatient work will also benefit from the material. A key role for the primary care physician is to support and educate the families of critically ill patients even if they do not provide care directly. This monograph gives a wealth of current information that will greatly enhance the ability to provide detailed information and to bridge the gap between a specialist who may have only met the patient and family and the doctor who has known the family and patient for years. So even if you do not go to the hospital, I strongly encourage you to pay careful attention to Mizock's monograph. Undoubtedly you will be surprised at many of the changes in approach and management developed in the past few years to the patient experiencing multiple organ dysfunction.