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Research and Liaison Librarian
What is a Case Report?
A case report:
- Contributes new concepts to medical knowledge
- Presents novel understanding of a diagnosis, or management of a disease or procedure
- Presents unique, unusual or previously undocumented medical occurrences
What a case report is NOT:
- Case reports are based upon a single patient, and NOT considered rigorous evidence
- A case report may lead to future research studies
Topics for a Case Report
- Previously unreported observations, unique procedures, complications or diagnoses
- Unexpected associations between disease, symptoms or treatments
- New knowledge regarding pathogens or adverse effects
- Unique features of a disease or therapeutic intervention
- Novel disease, interventions or procedures
- Medical challenges in diagnoses or treatments
- Therapeutic enhancements
- Diagnosis, intervention or medication failures or adverse effects
Where to start?
- Always obtain patient consent
- Familiarize yourself with the CARE Guidelines
- Perform a literature search about the condition
- Gather background information regarding the diagnosis
- Review previous clinical and research findings
- Gather all relevant clinical information
- Write the report according to the CARE guidelines
- Review journal publication requirements specific to that journal
- More information is found here
Research and Liaison Librarian