How To Write a Case Report: Intro

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines a case report as "a formal summary of a unique patient and his or her illness, including the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic studies, treatment course, and outcome".1

Case reports are one of the earliest models of disseminated scientific knowledge and continue to play an important role in medical communication by presenting novel evidence quickly.

While case reports are a low level of evidence for clinical decision making, they have been known to be the first reports of major medical events. Case reports are also an invaluable experience for those new to scholarly communication.

Before you get started, know that it will probably take you more time to manage the administrative aspects (submitting to IRB and obtaining patient consent) and to manage the publishing aspects (finding the right journal and the lengthy process of peer review and edits) than actually writing up the case report. This guide and the checklist will help you through the process so you know what to expect.

1. Venes D, ed. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 23rd ed. F. A. Davis Company; 2017.

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