elements of a medical case study

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How to Write a Medical Case Study Report

Last Updated: April 18, 2024 Approved

This article was medically reviewed by Mark Ziats, MD, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Dr. Mark Ziats is an Internal Medicine Physician, Scientist, Entrepreneur, and the Medical Director of xBiotech. With over five years of experience, he specializes in biotechnology, genomics, and medical devices. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Baylor College of Medicine, a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, and a BS in Biochemistry and Chemistry from Clemson University. He also completed the INNoVATE Program in Biotechnology Entrepreneurship at The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School. Dr. Ziats is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 190,500 times.

You've encountered an interesting and unusual case on your rounds, and a colleague or supervising physician says, "Why don't you write up a case study report?" If you've never written one before, that might sound intimidating, but it's a great way to get started in medical writing. Case studies always follow a standard structure and format, so the writing is very formulaic once you get the hang of it. Read on for a step-by-step guide to writing your first case study report.

What is a case study report?

• Medical students or residents typically do the bulk of the writing of the report. If you're just starting your medical career, a case study report is a great way to get a publication under your belt. [2] X Research source

• If the patient is a minor or is incapable of giving informed consent, get consent from their parents or closest relative. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
• Your hospital likely has specific consent forms to use. Ask your supervising physician if you're not sure where to get one.
• Some journals also have their own consent form. Check your target journal's author or submission information to make sure. [5] X Research source

How is a case study report structured?

• Even though the introduction is the first part of a case study report, doctors typically write it last. You'll have a better idea of how to introduce your case study to readers after you've written it.
• Your abstract comes at the top, before the introduction, and provides a brief summary of the entire report. Unless your case study is published in an open-access journal, the abstract is the only part of the article many readers will see.

• Many journals offer templates and checklists you can use to make sure your case study includes everything necessary and is formatted properly—take advantage of these! Some journals, such as BMJ Case Reports , require all case studies submitted to use their templates.

Drafting Your Medical Case Study Report

• Patient description
• Chronological case history
• Physical exam results
• Results of any pathological tests, imaging, or other investigations
• Treatment plan
• Expected outcome of treatment
• Actual outcome of treatment

• Why the patient sought medical help (you can even use their own words)
• Important information that helped you settle on your diagnosis
• The results of your clinical examination, including diagnostic tests and their results, along with any helpful images
• A description of the treatment plan
• The outcome, including how and why treatment ended and how long the patient was under your care [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

• You will need references to back up symptoms of the condition, common treatment, and the expected outcome of that common treatment.
• Use your research to paint a picture of the usual case of a patient with a similar condition—it'll help you show how unusual and different your patient's case is.
• Generally, aim for around 20 references—no fewer than 15, but no more than 25. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

• Close your discussion section with a summary of the lessons learned from the case and why it's significant to consider when treating similar cases in the future.
• Outline any open questions that remain. You might also provide suggestions for future research.

• In your conclusion, you might also give suggestions or recommendations to readers based on what you learned as a result of the case.
• Some journals don't want a separate conclusion section. If that's the case for one of your target journals, just move this paragraph to the end of your discussion section.

Polishing Your Report for Submission to Publishers

• Most titles are fewer than 10 words long and include the name of the disease or condition treated.
• You might also include the treatment used and whether the outcome was successful. When deciding what to include, think about the reason you wrote the case study in the first place and why you think it's important for other clinicians to read.

• Made a significant intellectual contribution to the case study report
• Was involved in the medical care of the patient reported
• Can explain and defend the data presented in the report
• Has approved the final manuscript before submission for publication

• Keep in mind that the abstract is not just going to be the first thing people read—it will often be the only thing people read. Make sure that if someone is going to walk away having only read the abstract, they'll still get the same message they would have if they read the whole thing.
• There are 2 basic types of abstract: narrative and structured. A narrative abstract is a single paragraph written in narrative prose. A structured abstract includes headings that correspond with the sections of the paper, then a brief summary of each section. Use the format preferred by your target journal.

• Look for keywords that are relevant to your field or sub-field and directly related to the content of your article, such as the name of the condition or specific treatments you used.
• Most journals allow 4-8 keywords but check the submission guidelines of your target journal to make sure.

• Blur out the patient's face as well as any tattoos, birthmarks, or unrelated scars that are visible in diagnostic images.

• It's common to thank the patient, but that's up to you. Even if you don't, include a statement indicating that you have the patient's written, informed consent to publish the information.
• Read the journal's submission guidelines for a definition of what that journal considers a conflict of interest. They're generally the same, but some might be stricter than others. [22] X Research source

• If you're not familiar with the citation style used by your target journal, check online for a guide. There might also be one available at your hospital or medical school library.
• Medical librarians can also help with citation style and references if you run into something tricky—don't just wing it! Correct citation style insures that readers can access the materials you cite.

• It's also a good idea to get a beta reader who isn't a medical professional. Their comments can help you figure out where you need to clarify your points.
• Read a lot of case studies published in your target journals—it will help you internalize the tone and style that journal is looking for.

Submitting Your Report to Publishers

• Look into the background and reputation of journals before you decide to submit to them. Only seek publication from reputable journals in which articles go through a peer-review process.
• Find out what publishing fees the journals charge. Keep in mind that open-access journals tend to charge higher publishing fees. [26] X Research source
• Read each journal's submission and editorial guidelines carefully. They'll tell you exactly how to format your case study, how long each section should be, and what citation style to use. [27] X Research source
• For electronic journals that only publish case reports, try BMJ Case Reports , Journal of Medical Case Reports , or Radiology Case Reports .

• If your manuscript isn't suitable for the journal you submitted to, the journal might offer to forward it to an associated journal where it would be a better fit.
• When your manuscript is provisionally accepted, the journal will send it to other doctors for evaluation under the peer-review process.
• Most medical journals don't accept simultaneous submissions, meaning you'll have to submit to your first choice, wait for their decision, then move to the next journal on the list if they don't bite.

• Along with your revised manuscript, include a letter with your response to each of the reviewer's comments. Where you made revisions, add page numbers to indicate where the revisions are that address that reviewer's comments.
• Sometimes, doctors involved in the peer review process will indicate that the journal should reject the manuscript. If that's the case, you'll get a letter explaining why your case study report won't be published and you're free to submit it elsewhere.

• Some journals require you to have your article professionally copy-edited at your own cost while others do this in-house. The editors will let you know what you're responsible for.

• With your acceptance letter, you'll get instructions on how to make payment and how much you owe. Take note of the deadline and make sure you pay it as soon as possible to avoid publication delays.
• Some journals will publish for free, with an "open-access option" that allows you to pay a fee only if you want open access to your article. [32] X Research source

• Through the publishing agreement, you assign your copyright in the article to the journal. This allows the journal to legally publish your work. That assignment can be exclusive or non-exclusive and may only last for a specific term. Read these details carefully!
• If you published an open-access article, you don't assign the copyright to the publisher. The publishing agreement merely gives the journal the right to publish the "Version of Record." [33] X Research source

How do I find a suitable case for a report?

• A rare disease, or unusual presentation of any disease
• An unusual combination of diseases or conditions
• A difficult or inconclusive diagnosis
• Unexpected developments or responses to treatment
• Personal impact
• Observations that shed new light on the patient's disease or condition

• There might be other members of your medical team that want to help with writing. If so, use one of these brainstorming sessions to divvy up writing responsibilities in a way that makes the most sense given your relative skills and experience.
• Senior doctors might also be able to name some journals that would potentially publish your case study. [36] X Research source

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.elsevier.com/connect/authors-update/the-dos-and-donts-of-writing-and-publishing-case-reports
• ↑ https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h2693
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5686928/
• ↑ https://health.usf.edu/medicine/internalmedicine/im-impact/~/media/B3A3421F4C144FA090AE965C21791A3C.ashx
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597880/
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6476221/
• ↑ https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/authorandreviewertutorials/writing-a-journal-manuscript/title-abstract-and-keywords/10285522
• ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597880/
• ↑ https://thelancet.com/pb/assets/raw/Lancet/authors/tl-info-for-authors.pdf
• ↑ https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13256-017-1351-y
• ↑ https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/casereports
• ↑ https://casereports.bmj.com/pages/authors/
• ↑ https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1947-7-239
• ↑ https://research.chm.msu.edu/students-residents/writing-a-case-report
• ↑ https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/moving-through-production/copyright-for-journal-authors/#

About This Article

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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To start a medical case study report, first choose a title that clearly reflects the contents of the report. You’ll also need to list any participating authors and develop a list of keywords, as well as an abstract summarizing the report. Your report will need to include an introduction summarizing the context of the report, as well as a detailed presentation of the case. Don’t forget to include a thorough citation list and acknowledgements of anyone else who participated in the study. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to get your case study report published, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to write a medical case report

• Related content
• Peer review
• Seema Biswas , editor-in-chief, BMJ Case Reports, London, UK ,
• Oliver Jones , student editor, BMJ Case Reports, London, UK

Two BMJ Case Reports journal editors take you through the process

This article contains...

- Choosing the right patient

- Choosing the right message

- Before you begin - patient consent

- How to write your case report

- How to get published

During medical school, students often come across patients with a unique presentation, an unfamiliar response to treatment, or even an obscure disease. Writing a case report is an excellent way of documenting these findings for the wider medical community—sharing new knowledge that will lead to better and safer patient care.

For many medical students and junior doctors, a case report may be their first attempt at medical writing. A published case report will look impressive on your curriculum vitae, particularly if it is on a topic of your chosen specialty. Publication will be an advantage when applying for foundation year posts and specialty training, and many job applications have points allocated exclusively for publications in peer reviewed journals, including case reports.

The writing of a case report rests on skills that medical students acquire in their medical training, which they use throughout their postgraduate careers: these include history taking, interpretation of clinical signs and symptoms, interpretation of laboratory and imaging results, researching disease aetiology, reviewing medical evidence, and writing in a manner that clearly and effectively communicates with the reader.

If you are considering writing a case report, try to find a senior doctor who can be a supervising coauthor and help you decide whether you have a message worth writing about, that you have chosen the correct journal to submit to (considering the format that the journal requires), that the process is transparent and ethical at all times, and that your patient is not compromised in your writing. Indeed, try to include your patient in the process from the outset, and always gain consent.

A case report is the first line of medical evidence, and over time has become an important medium for sharing new findings (box 1). High quality case reports successfully bring together the various domains of medicine such as physiology, pathology, and anatomy. Using the patient as the focus, case reports provide a clinical “coat peg” on which to hang this knowledge.

Box 1: Notable case reports through the ages

Many case reports have changed the way clinicians view health and disease. For example, in 1861 the French surgeon Pierre Paul Broca reported the case of a dysphasic patient nicknamed “Tan”—owing to his inability to say any other words. After Tan’s death, Broca did an autopsy and discovered a syphilitic lesion in the frontal lobe of the brain, leading to the hypothesis of a speech centre in the brain—later known as Broca’s area. 1 Other notable case reports have documented the discovery of the Bence-Jones protein, 2 the first descriptions of Parkinson’s disease, 3 and AIDS. 4

Choosing the right patient

We can learn from all patients, but choose a patient from whom there is something new to learn. Search the literature and decide whether the topic you want to discuss, whether clinical or non-clinical (a radiological or microbiological finding, for example), has already been well discussed.

Your patient should ideally be someone who is not simply a willing participant in this process but someone who wants their story to be told to educate students, doctors, and other patients. Many journals have an option for patients to contribute to the manuscript.

Choosing the right message

Rare diseases are not in themselves a reason to write up a case, but unusual presentations of a common disease are important to communicate to the medical community. Early or subtle signs and symptoms that are easily missed are important for us to learn from. Indeed, the learning value of your case is the single most important factor in determining whether it is likely to be published.

Have in mind the journal that you want to submit your manuscript to before you begin to write. Your case and the message should fit with the style of the journal, whether a specialist journal, a case reports journal, or a journal that publishes case presentations in different formats. This may include question and answer formats, quizzes, or even interactive online educational formats useful for exam revision—for example, Endgames ( The BMJ ), Epilogue ( Archives of Disease in Childhood ), or Images ( New England Journal of Medicine ). These adapted formats are important, as most of these journals no longer accept case reports written in their traditional format.

Also, be careful in your claims about new diseases and new treatments. Case reports cannot make claims about the efficacy of novel treatments on the basis of individual cases and limited follow-up time. The most important message is a new or novel learning point—that is, the educational message.

Before you begin

Once you have chosen your patient and discussed with them what you would like to write, show them the case report so that they may give informed consent to your manuscript submission and familiarise themselves with the website.

It is important that a patient understands how their case will appear online or in print and that they truly give informed consent. You should do this under the supervision of the senior doctor who is the supervising coauthor of your manuscript; ideally, the senior doctor would obtain consent.

Writing the case report

Case presentation.

Begin with the case presentation (box 2): describe your encounter with the patient, their symptoms, and their signs. You should already have an idea what your take home messages will be. If the journal presentation of the case report allows, you can write these take home messages as bullet points (box 3).

Box 2: Case presentation

Acute pancreatitis and severe hypertriglyceridaemia masking unsuspected underlying diabetic ketoacidosis.

After 48 hours of anorexia, nausea, and non-bloody vomiting at home, the patient presented to her local hospital, where the diagnosis of moderate acute pancreatitis was made, based on an abdominal computed tomogram and ultrasound and serum chemistry. Ongoing symptoms, including left upper quadrant, 7/10 stabbing pain with generalised abdominal cramps, led to her transfer to the closest tertiary hospital for further management.

On admission to the tertiary hospital, the patient was treated as having uncomplicated pancreatitis. Immediate management included intravenous rehydration therapy, antiemetics, and narcotics for pain control with further orders for nothing to be ingested until the patient was re-evaluated. Initial assessment of the patient showed a temperature of 37.3ºC, heart rate 110 beats/min, blood pressure 126/68 mm Hg, respiratory rate 14 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation 98% on room air. She had a normal body habitus and was not in distress; however, she had a moderate amount of abdominal discomfort. Her physical examination showed no xanthalasmas or skin eruptions, nor was a fruity odour detected. Her gastrointestinal examination showed diffuse tenderness, with a soft, non-distended abdomen. Also, no organomegally was noted. Other than tachycardia, her cardiorespiratory examination was unremarkable with the notable absence of tachypnoea.

The patient was previously healthy without any medical history or surgical history. Her medication list was limited to the oral contraceptive pill (ethinyl oestradiol, norgestimate). The patient described only occasional social alcohol consumption (none within the last week) and no binge drinking or recreational drug use in the past. There were no recent surgeries, gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, or abdominal trauma. She denied fever, chills, rigors, or recent unintended weight loss. There was no history of polyuria or polydipsia.

She did not have any prodromal abdominal symptoms There had been no similar episodes previously. There was no family history of dyslipidaemias, pancreatitis, or gallstones. Her family history was relevant for rectal carcinoma in her paternal grandfather and type 2 diabetes in her maternal grandmother. Six hours after her arrival at the tertiary hospital, and 12 hours from her first presentation and assessment at the local rural hospital, the patient began to decompensate with rapid progression of hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnoea. The acute decompensation to hypotension and shock was assumed to be due to progression of the pancreatitis with potential infection complicating the pancreatitis. The patient was aggressively rehydrated and started on broad spectrum antibiotics. However, the hypotension failed to respond to fluid resuscitation and there was increased patient distress. She was urgently referred to the intensive care unit for supportive measures and management.

Aboulhosn K, Arnason T. Acute pancreatitis and severe hypertriglyceridaemia masking unsuspected underlying diabetic ketoacidosis. BMJ Case Rep 2013;2013, doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-200431 .

Box 3: Learning points

Postpartum hellp syndrome and subcapsular liver haematoma.

Subcapsular liver haematoma is a potentially life threatening complication of severe pre-eclampsia and haemolysis, the breakdown of red blood cells; elevated liver enzymes; low platelet count syndrome.

The complication is rare but should be considered with severe upper abdominal pain in obstetric patients, especially in the presence of pre-eclampsia.

Real time ultrasound imaging of the liver is often diagnostic.

Messerschmidt L, Andersen LL, Sorensen MB. Postpartum HELLP syndrome and subcapsular liver haematoma. BMJ Case Rep 2014, doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202503 .

You should separate your case presentation section from the investigations and differential diagnoses. The key points to remember to include are your choice of investigations and how they helped you establish a working diagnosis (box 4).

Box 4: Investigations

Unilateral presentation of postpartum cardiomyopathy misdiagnosed as pneumonia.

On arriving at the emergency department, the patient had severe shortness of breath at rest 10 days after delivery. Her vital signs included an oral temperature of 36.7ºC, blood pressure 163/102 mmHg, pulse rate 146 beats/min, and oxygen saturation 88% in room air. Treatment with supplemental oxygen by mask yielded an increase in oxygen saturation to 95%. Her physical examination revealed no jugular venous distension, hepatic enlargement, or pedal oedema; heart sounds were fast and regular, with no evidence of murmurs or additional sounds. On lung auscultation bilateral crackles were present. Her laboratory analysis showed mild non-specific indicators of stress with a leucocyte count of 9.3×10 3 cells/mm 3 , haemoglobin value of 10.6 g/dL, and a platelet count of 791×10 3 cells/mm 3 . Her electrocardiogram was similar to the one obtained a day earlier showing T wave inversion in leads V4–V6; however, chest radiography showed a more bilateral presentation compared with the previous one showing both heart enlargement and pulmonary oedema. A chest computed tomography angiography performed to exclude pulmonary artery embolisation confirmed the presence of cardiomegaly and pulmonary oedema with bilateral effusions (fig 1). ⇓ An echocardiogram showed a diminished ejection fraction of 15-20% confirming the diagnosis of postpartum cardiomyopathy.

Amit BH, Marmor A, Hussein A. Unilateral presentation of postpartum cardiomyopathy misdiagnosed as pneumonia. BMJ Case Rep 2010, doi: 10.1136/bcr.05.2010.3039 .

Fig 1 Chest computed tomogram performed after deterioration showing heart enlargement, pulmonary oedema, and bilateral pleural effusions mainly on the right. From Amit BH et al. BMJ Case Rep 2010, doi: 10.1136/bcr.05.2010.3039 .

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Imagine that you are presenting at a grand round and have to explain your choices to your colleagues—this is essentially what you are doing as you write your case report. Do not simply list your differential diagnoses; describe how you worked through your list of differentials and how you established a final diagnosis.

Also, make sure you collect and include high quality and well annotated images that not only explain radiological findings but also show their importance in establishing your diagnosis.

Good quality annotated images

Fig 2 Craniocervical x ray film showing fusion of the posterior arch of C1 to the occiput. A fracture was not evident, but clinical suspicion prompted a computed tomography scan

Fig 3 Axial, left, and sagittal, right, computed tomography scans of the craniocervical junction at presentation showing fusion of the left occipital condyle with the lateral mass of C1 and a fracture involving both elements. The fracture is indicated by the arrowheads

Outcome and follow-up

The outcome and your follow-up of the patient are important. In both your case presentation and the section on patient outcome, you should describe what happened to your patient in terms of their specific symptoms, their general wellbeing, and their lifestyle and activity.

Some journals require you to write a summary of your case report. This usually has a word limit and appears in medical search engines, such as Pubmed/MEDLINE. It is the equivalent of the abstract of a research paper.

Ensure that your title is scientific and clinical. Cryptic and humorous titles translate poorly across a global audience and do not always accurately reflect the content of your case report. You may find that the word limit does not permit you to write all the detail you would want to include in the summary, but the background section allows you to do this. Try to make sure that the background section does not repeat the summary.

Publication process

Clinical videos and images are important alternatives or potential additions to clinical case reports which many journals encourage authors to submit. Again, prepare these in collaboration with clinical teachers or coauthors, who will help you annotate these images and point out important learning messages, and do this from the outset in the format of the journal that you have researched well and decided to submit your manuscript to.

All submitted case reports are usually sent for peer review. Reviewers are chosen according to their specialty and clinical or academic interests. Your choice of key words is therefore important as these are the basis for the assignment of reviewers. Keywords are also important for other authors doing literature searches who discover your case report and cite this in their own writing.

Decisions to accept, revise, or reject are based on editors’ and reviewers’ opinions together, and every attempt is made to ensure that criticism is constructive and useful.

Dependent on how quickly your manuscript is reviewed, you should receive a decision on your manuscript within three to six weeks of submission. Outright rejections for reasons such as the unsuitability of your manuscript for the particular journal and its audience, manuscripts in the wrong format, incomplete sections (especially the case presentation and differential diagnosis sections), and plagiarism tend to be prompt, and they would be easily avoided by following the steps above and choosing your patient, your topic, your journal, and your particular manuscript format well.

Rejections on the basis of the content of the case report tend to be at the peer review stage and may be a few weeks after submission. They could include reasons such as the lack of novelty or educational message, a poor literature search, or inconsistent clinical management. Again, this is avoidable by preparing well. It is unusual for a well thought out and well prepared manuscript to be rejected.

Autoformatting software, especially with references, may produce errors, so do double check these. Syntax errors, spelling mistakes, and poor grammar create a poor impression of an otherwise good case report. As always, first impressions matter, so be meticulous as you proofread your manuscript before you submit.

The entire process of publication depends on the number of revisions necessary and how quickly you submit a revised manuscript. For those of you aiming to submit in time to prepare for job applications, do take into account the time taken in the process of publication.

Further reading

1. BMJ Case Reports has produced a ‘‘How to’’ guide for completing case report submission: http://casereports.bmj.com/site/about/How_to_complete_full_cases_template.pdf .

2. BMJ Case Reports has produced a clinical case reports template which illustrates the important points in a manuscript and should help you in your writing: http://casereports.bmj.com/site/about/guidelines.xhtml .

3. Some journals recommend patient perspectives in the write up of a case report. An example is at http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2015/bcr-2014-208529.full?sid=bb53a333-2c59-453a-a9bf-5775edc0e5d7 .

Originally published as: Student BMJ 2016;24:h3731

Competing interests: SB and OJ are editors of BMJ Case Reports.

Provenance and peer review: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.

• ↵ Broca P. Remarks on the seat of the faculty of articulated language, following an observation of aphemia (loss of speech). Bulletin de la Société Anatomique . 1861 ; 6 : 330 -57. OpenUrl
• ↵ Jones HB. On a new substance occurring in the urine of a patient with mollities ossium. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London . 1848 ; 138 : 55 -62. OpenUrl CrossRef
• ↵ Parkinson J. An essay on the shaking palsy, 1817. J Neuropsych Clin Neurosci 2002 ; 14 : 223 -6. OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed Web of Science
• ↵ Gottlieb GJ, Ragaz A, Vogel JV, et al. A preliminary communication on extensively disseminated kaposige sarcoma in a young homosexual man. Am J Dermatopath 1981 ; 3 : 111 . OpenUrl CrossRef PubMed Web of Science

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Fundamentals of case study research in family medicine and community health

Sergi fàbregues, michael d fetters.

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Correspondence to Dr Sergi Fàbregues, Department of Psychology and Education, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018, Barcelona, Spain; [email protected]

Corresponding author.

Received 2018 Nov 30; Revised 2018 Dec 7; Accepted 2019 Jan 23; Collection date 2019.

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

The aim of this article is to introduce family medicine researchers to case study research, a rigorous research methodology commonly used in the social and health sciences and only distantly related to clinical case reports. The article begins with an overview of case study in the social and health sciences, including its definition, potential applications, historical background and core features. This is followed by a 10-step description of the process of conducting a case study project illustrated using a case study conducted about a teaching programme executed to teach international family medicine resident learners sensitive examination skills. Steps for conducting a case study include (1) conducting a literature review; (2) formulating the research questions; (3) ensuring that a case study is appropriate; (4) determining the type of case study design; (5) defining boundaries of the case(s) and selecting the case(s); (6) preparing for data collection; (7) collecting and organising the data; (8) analysing the data; (9) writing the case study report; and (10) appraising the quality. Case study research is a highly flexible and powerful research tool available to family medicine researchers for a variety of applications.

Keywords: Case study research, research design, mixed methods, family practice, primary care, general practice

Significance statement

Given their potential for answering ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about complex issues in their natural setting, case study designs are being increasingly used in the health sciences. Conducting a case study can, however, be a complex task because of the possibility of combining multiple methods and the need to choose between different types of case study designs. In order to introduce family medicine and community health researchers to the fundamentals of case study research, this article reviews its definition, potential applications, historical background and main characteristics. It follows on with a practical, step-by-step description of the case study process that will be useful to researchers interested in implementing this research design in their own practice.

Introduction

This article provides family medicine and community health researchers a concise resource to conduct case study research. The article opens with an overview of case study in the social and health sciences, including its definition, potential applications, historical background and core features. This is followed by a 10-step description of the process of conducting a case study project, as described in the literature. These steps are illustrated using a case study about a teaching programme executed to teach international medical learners sensitive examination skills. The article ends with recommendations of useful articles and textbooks on case study research.

Origins of case study research

Case study is a research design that involves an intensive and holistic examination of a contemporary phenomenon in a real-life setting. 1–3 It uses a variety of methods and multiple data sources to explore, describe or explain a single case bounded in time and place (ie, an event, individual, group, organisation or programme). A distinctive feature of case study is its focus on the particular characteristics of the case being studied and the contextual aspects, relationships and processes influencing it. 4 Here we do not include clinical case reports as these are beyond the scope of this article. While distantly related to clinical case reports commonly used to report unusual clinical case presentations or findings, case study is a research approach that is frequently used in the social sciences and health sciences. In contrast to other research designs, such as surveys or experiments, a key strength of case study is that it allows the researcher to adopt a holistic approach—rather than an isolated approach—to the study of social phenomena. As argued by Yin, 3 case studies are particularly suitable for answering ‘how’ research questions (ie, how a treatment was received) as well as ‘why’ research questions (ie, why the treatment produced the observed outcomes).

Given its potential for understanding complex processes as they occur in their natural setting, case study increasingly is used in a wide range of health-related disciplines and fields, including medicine, 5 nursing, 6 health services research 1 and health communication. 7 With regard to clinical practice and research, a number of authors 1 5 8 have highlighted how insights gained from case study designs can be used to describe patients’ experiences regarding care, explore health professionals’ perceptions regarding a policy change, and understand why medical treatments and complex interventions succeed or fail.

In anthropology and sociology, case study as a research design was introduced as a response to the prevailing view of quantitative research as the primary way of undertaking research. 9 From its beginnings, social scientists saw case study as a method to obtain comprehensive accounts of social phenomena from participants. In addition, it could complement the findings of survey research. Between the 1920s and 1960s, case study became the predominant research approach among the members of the Department of Sociology of the University of Chicago, widely known as ‘The Chicago School’. 10 11 During this period, prominent sociologists, such as Florian Znaniecki, William Thomas, Everett C Hughes and Howard S Becker, undertook a series of innovative case studies (including classical works such as The Polish peasant in Europe and America or Boys in White ), which laid the foundations of case study designs as implemented today.

In the 1970s, case study increasingly was adopted in the USA and UK in applied disciplines and fields, such as education, programme evaluation and public policy research. 12 As a response to the limitations of quasi-experimental designs for undertaking comprehensive programme evaluations, researchers in these disciplines saw in case studies—either alone or in combination with experimental designs—an opportunity to gain additional insights into the outcomes of programme implementation. In the mid-1980s and early 1990s, the case study approach became recognised as having its own ‘logic of design’ (p46). 13 This period coincides with the publication of a considerable number of influential articles 14–16 and textbooks 4 17 18 on case study research.

These publications were instrumental in shaping contemporary case study practice, yet they reflected divergent views about the nature of case study, including how it should be defined, designed and implemented (see Yazan 19 for a comparison of the perspectives of Yin, Merriam and Stake, three leading case study methodologists). What these publications have in common is that case study revolves around four key features.

First, case study examines a specific phenomenon in detail by performing an indepth and intensive analysis of the selected case. The rationale for case study designs, rather than more expansive designs such as surveys, is that the researcher is interested in investigating the particularity of a case, that is, the unique attributes that define an event, individual, group, organisation or programme. 2 Second, case study is conducted in natural settings where people meet, interact and change their perceptions over time. The use of the case study design is a choice in favour of ‘maintaining the naturalness of the research situation and the natural course of events’ (p177). 20

Third, case study assumes that a case under investigation is entangled with the context in which it is embedded. This context entails a number of interconnected processes that cannot be disassociated from the case, but rather are part of the study. The case study researcher is interested in understanding how and why such processes take place and, consequently, uncovering the interactions between a case and its context. Research questions concerning how and why phenomena occur are particularly appropriate in case study research. 3

Fourth, case study encourages the researcher to use a variety of methods and data types in a single study. 20 21 These can be solely qualitative, solely quantitative or a mixture of both. The latter option allows the researcher to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the case and improve the accuracy of the findings. The four above-mentioned key features of case study are shown in table 1 , using the example of a mixed methods case study evaluation. 22

Key features of case study as presented by Shultz et al 22

There are many potential applications for case study research. While often misconstrued as having only an exploratory role, case study research can be used for descriptive and explanatory research (p7–9). 3 Family medicine and community health researchers can use case study research for evaluating a variety of educational programmes, clinical programmes or community programmes.

Case study illustration from family medicine

In the featured study, Japanese family medicine residents received standardised patient instructor-based training in female breast, pelvic, male genital and prostate examinations as part of an international training collaboration to launch a new family medicine residency programme. 22 From family medicine residents, trainers and staff, the authors collected and analysed data from post-training feedback, semistructured interviews and a web-based questionnaire. While the programme was perceived favourably, they noted barriers to reinforcement in their home training programme, and taboos regarding gender-specific healthcare appear as barriers to implementing a similar programme in the home institution.

A step-by-step description of the process of carrying out a case study

As shown in table 2 and illustrated using the article by Shultz et al , 22 case study research generally includes 10 steps. While commonly conducted in this order, the steps do not always occur linearly as data collection and analysis may occur over several iterations or implemented with a slightly different order.

Ten steps for conducting a case study

SPI, standardised patient instructor.

Step 1. Conduct a literature review

During the literature review, researchers systematically search for publications, select those most relevant to the study’s purpose, critically appraise them and summarise the major themes. The literature review helps researchers ascertain what is and is not known about the phenomenon under study, delineate the scope and research questions of the study, and develop an academic or practical justification for the study. 23

Step 2. Formulate the research questions

Research questions critically define in operational terms what will be researched and how. They focus the study and play a key role in guiding design decisions. Key decisions include the case selection and choice of a case study design most suitable for the study. According to Fraenkel et al , 24 the key attributes of good research questions are (1) feasibility, (2) clarity, (3) significance, (4) connection to previous research identified in the literature and (5) compliance with ethical research standards.

Step 3. Ensure that a case study is appropriate

Before commencing the study, researchers should ensure that case study design embodies the most appropriate strategy for answering the study questions. The above-noted four key features—in depth examination of phenomena, naturalness, a focus on context and the use of a combination of methods—should be reflected in the research questions as well as subsequent design decisions.

Step 4. Determine the type of case study design

Researchers need to choose a specific case study design. Sometimes, researchers may define the case first (step 5), for example, in a programme evaluation, and the case may need to be defined before determining the type. Yin’s 3 typology is based on two dimensions, whether the study will examine a single case or multiple cases, and whether the study will focus on a single or multiple units of analysis. Figure 1 illustrates these four types of design using a hypothetical example of a programme evaluation. Table 3 shows an example of each type from the literature.

Types of case study designs. 3 21

Examples of published studies using the four types of case study designs suggested by Yin 3

In type 1 holistic single case design , researchers examine a single programme as the sole unit of analysis. In type 2 embedded single case design , the interest is not exclusively in the programme, but also in its different subunits, including sites, staff and participants. These subunits constitute the range of units of analysis. In type 3 holistic multiple case design , researchers conduct a within and cross-case comparison of two or more programmes, each of which constitutes a single unit of analysis. A major strength of multiple case designs is that they enable researchers to develop an in depth description of each case and to identify patterns of variation and similarity between the cases. Multiple case designs are likely to have stronger internal validity and generate more insightful findings than single case designs. They do this by allowing ‘examination of processes and outcomes across many cases, identification of how individual cases might be affected by different environments, and the specific conditions under which a finding may occur’ (p583). 25 In type 4 embedded multiple case design , a variant of the holistic multiple case design, researchers perform a detailed examination of the subunits of each programme, rather than just examining each case as a whole.

Step 5. Define the boundaries of the case(s) and select the case(s)

Miles et al 26 define a case as ‘a phenomenon of some sort occurring in a bounded context’ (p28). What is and is not the case and how the case fits within its broader context should be explicitly defined. As noted in step 4, this step may occur before choice of the case study type, and the process may actually occur in a back-and-forth fashion. A case can entail an individual, a group, an organisation, an institution or a programme. In this step, researchers delineate the spatial and temporal boundaries of the case, that is, ‘when and where it occurred, and when and what was of interest’ (p390). 9 Aside from ensuring the coherence and consistency of the study, bounding the case ensures that the planned research project is feasible in terms of time and resources. Having access to the case and ensuring ethical research practice are two central considerations in case selection. 1

Step 6. Prepare to collect data

Before beginning the data collection, researchers need a study protocol that describes in detail the methods of data collection. The protocol should emphasise the coherence between the data collection methods and the research questions. According to Yin, 3 a case study protocol should include (1) an overview of the case study, (2) data collection procedures, (3) data collection questions and (4) a guide for the case study report. The protocol should be sufficiently flexible to allow researchers to make changes depending on the context and specific circumstances surrounding each data collection method.

Step 7. Collect and organise the data

While case study is often portrayed as a qualitative approach to research (eg, interviews, focus groups or observations), case study designs frequently rely on multiple data sources, including quantitative data (eg, surveys or statistical databases). A growing number of authors highlight the ways in which the use of mixed methods within case study designs might contribute to developing ‘a more complete understanding of the case’ (p902), 21 shedding light on ‘the complexity of a case’ (p118) 27 or increasing ‘the internal validity of a study’ (p6). 1 Guetterman and Fetters 21 explain how a qualitative case study can also be nested within a mixed methods design (ie, be considered the qualitative component of the design). An interesting strategy for organising multiple data sources is suggested by Yin. 3 He recommends using a case study database in which different data sources (eg, audio files, notes, documents or photographs) are stored for later retrieval or inspection. See guidance from Creswell and Hirose 28 for conducting a survey and qualitative data collection in mixed methods and DeJonckheere 29 on semistructured interviewing.

Step 8. Analyse the data

Bernard and Ryan 30 define data analysis as ‘the search for patterns in data and for ideas that help explain why these patterns are there in the first place’ (p109). Depending on the case study design, analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data can be done concurrently or sequentially. For the qualitative data, the first step of the analysis involves segmenting the data into coding units, ascribing codes to data segments and organising the codes in a coding scheme. 31 Depending on the role of theory in the study, an inductive, data-driven approach can be used where meaning is found in the data, or a deductive, concept-driven approach can be adopted where predefined concepts derived from the literature, or previous research, are used to code the data. 32 The second step involves searching for patterns across codes and subsets of respondents, so major themes are identified to describe, explain or predict the phenomenon under study. Babchuk 33 provides a step-by-step guidance for qualitative analysis in this issue. When conducting a single case study, the within-case analysis yields an in depth, thick description of the case. When the study involves multiple cases, the cross-comparison analysis elicits a description of similarities and divergence between cases and may generate explanations and theoretical predictions regarding other cases. 26

For the quantitative part of the case study, data are entered in statistical software packages for conducting descriptive or inferential analysis. Guetterman 34 provides a step-by-step guidance on basic statistics. In case study designs where both data strands are analysed simultaneously, analytical techniques include pattern matching, explanation building, time-series analysis and creating logic models (p142–167). 3

Step 9. Write the case study report

The case study report should have the following three characteristics. First, the description of the case and its context should be sufficiently comprehensive to allow the reader to understand the complexity of the phenomena under study. 35 Second, the data should be presented in a concise and transparent manner to enable the reader to question, or to re-examine, the findings. 36 Third, the report should be adapted to the interests and needs of its primary audience or audiences (eg, academics, practitioners, policy-makers or funders of research). Yin 3 suggests six formats for organising case study reports, namely linear-analytic, comparative, chronological, theory building, suspense and unsequenced structures. To facilitate case transferability and applicability to other similar contexts, the case study report must include a detailed description of the case.

Step 10. Appraise quality

Although presented as the final step of the case study process, quality appraisal should be considered throughout the study. Multiple criteria and frameworks for appraising the quality of case study research have been suggested in the literature. Yin 3 suggests the following four criteria: construct validity (ie, the extent to which a study accurately measures the concepts that it claims to investigate), internal validity (ie, the strength of the relationship between variables and findings), external validity (ie, the extent to which the findings can be generalised) and reliability (ie, the extent to which the findings can be replicated by other researchers conducting the same study). Yin 37 also suggests using two separate sets of guidelines for conducting case study research and for appraising the quality of case study proposals. Stake 4 presents a 20-item checklist for critiquing case study reports, and Creswell and Poth 38 and Denscombe 39 outline a number of questions to consider. Since these quality frameworks have evolved from different disciplinary and philosophical backgrounds, the researcher’s approach should be coherent with the epistemology of the study. Figure 2 provides a quality appraisal checklist adapted from Creswell and Poth 38 and Denscombe. 39

Checklist for evaluating the quality of a case study. 38 39

The challenges to conducting case study research include rationalising the literature based on literature review, writing the research questions, determining how to bound the case, and choosing among various case study purposes and designs. Factors held in common with other methods include analysing and presenting the findings, particularly with multiple data sources.

Other resources

Resources with more in depth guidance on case study research include Merriam, 17 Stake 4 and Yin. 3 While each reflects a different perspective on case study research, they all provide useful guidance for designing and conducting case studies. Other resources include Creswell and Poth, 38 Swanborn 2 and Tight. 40 For mixed methods case study designs, Creswell and Plano Clark, 27 Guetterman and Fetters, 21 Luck et al , 6 and Plano Clark et al 41 provide guidance. Byrne and Ragin’s 42 The SAGE Handbook of Case-Based Methods and Mills et al ’s 43 Encyclopedia of case study research provide guidance for experienced case study researchers.

Conclusions

Family medicine and community health researchers engage in a wide variety of clinical, educational, research and administrative programmes. Case study research provides a highly flexible and powerful research tool to evaluate rigorously many of these endeavours and disseminate this information.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the help of Dick Edelstein and Marie-Hélène Paré in editing the final manuscript.

Correction notice: This article has been corrected. Reference details have been updated.

Contributors: SF and MDF conceived and drafted the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Funding: The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Competing interests: None declared.

Patient consent for publication: Not required.

Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

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Writing a Patient Case Study: A Comprehensive Guide

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Key Learnings contained in this article:

Writing a patient case study is a crucial aspect of medical research and analysis. A well-written and comprehensive case study provides valuable insights into patient conditions and contributes to the advancement of healthcare practices. In this guide, we will explore the importance of patient case studies, the ethical considerations involved, and the essential steps to take when preparing, conducting, and writing a patient case study.

Understanding the Importance of Patient Case Studies

Patient case studies play a vital role in medical research, helping researchers and healthcare professionals gain a deeper understanding of various medical conditions, treatment outcomes , and patient experiences. They serve as real-life examples that highlight different aspects of a medical case, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment plans, and outcomes. By analyzing case studies, researchers can identify patterns, compare treatment methods, and ultimately improve patient care. Moreover, case studies are instrumental in medical education, offering students practical scenarios to apply theoretical knowledge.

The Role of Case Studies in Medical Research

In medical research, case studies serve as valuable evidence that contributes to the overall body of scientific knowledge. They allow researchers to examine rare conditions or unusual presentations, providing important insights that are not easily obtainable through other research methods. Case studies offer an opportunity to explore the complexities and nuances of medical diagnoses, treatments, and patient experiences in detail, ultimately leading to the development of evidence-based guidelines and improved clinical practices .

Ethical Considerations in Patient Case Studies

When conducting patient case studies, it is crucial to adhere to strict ethical standards. Patient confidentiality and informed consent are paramount. Researchers must ensure that patients' personal information remains confidential and that they have given informed consent to participate in the study. Additionally, the study design and methods must prioritize patient safety and well-being. Ethical considerations should guide every step of the case study process to ensure the protection of patients' rights and dignity.

Furthermore, patient case studies provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration within the medical field. In complex cases, healthcare professionals from different specialties come together to analyze the data and contribute their expertise. This collaborative approach enhances the quality of research and fosters a holistic understanding of the medical condition being studied.

Moreover, patient case studies can also shed light on the social and psychological impacts of healthcare. By examining the patient's experiences, researchers can gain insights into the impact of a medical condition on the individual's quality of life, mental well-being, and social support systems. This broader perspective helps healthcare professionals develop patient-centered approaches that address not only the physical aspects of the condition but also the emotional and social needs of the patient.

Preparing for Your Patient Case Study

Before embarking on a patient case study, careful preparation is necessary. This involves identifying a suitable patient and obtaining informed consent.

Undertaking a patient case study is a meticulous process that requires attention to detail and ethical considerations. To ensure the study's success and validity, it is crucial to delve deep into the selection process and consent acquisition.

Identifying a Suitable Patient

The selection of an appropriate patient for a case study is crucial. Ideally, the patient should have a condition that is relevant to the research topic and that showcases specific aspects of interest. It is essential to consider factors such as the availability of medical records , the uniqueness of the case, and ethical considerations. Collaborating with healthcare professionals and experts in the field can be beneficial in identifying suitable patients for your study.

Moreover, the process of identifying a suitable patient involves a comprehensive review of the medical history, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans. Understanding the nuances of the patient's condition and its implications on the research objectives is fundamental in creating a compelling case study.

Gaining Informed Consent

Prior to initiating the case study, obtaining informed consent from the patient is mandatory. Informed consent ensures that the patient fully understands the purpose of the study, the potential risks or benefits involved, and their rights as a participant. Researchers must provide clear and comprehensible information, allowing the patient ample time to consider their involvement. Additionally, it is essential to respect the patient's right to withdraw from the study at any given point without facing any consequences.

Furthermore, the process of gaining informed consent involves establishing a transparent and open dialogue with the patient. Addressing any concerns or queries they may have regarding the study can foster trust and cooperation, ultimately enhancing the quality of the case study.

Conducting the Patient Interview

The patient interview is a crucial part of gathering information for the case study. It allows researchers to obtain subjective details, delve into the patient's experiences, and gain insights into their condition.

When conducting a patient interview, it is essential for researchers to create a comfortable and welcoming environment. Patients may feel anxious or vulnerable, so establishing rapport and showing empathy can help them feel at ease. Building a trusting relationship with the patient can encourage open communication and lead to a more fruitful exchange of information.

Essential Questions to Ask

During the interview, it is important to ask a range of questions to gather comprehensive information. These may include inquiries about the patient's medical history, symptoms, lifestyle, and any factors that may have contributed to their condition. By asking open-ended questions, researchers encourage patients to share their personal experiences and provide valuable insights into their healthcare journey.

Moreover, it is crucial for researchers to actively listen during the interview. Paying attention to not just the words spoken but also the patient's tone, body language, and emotions can reveal additional nuances that may impact the understanding of the case. Empathetic listening demonstrates respect for the patient's perspective and can help researchers form a more holistic view of the individual's health concerns.

Recording and Transcribing the Interview

Accurate recording and transcription of the patient interview are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the case study. The use of audio recordings, with the patient's consent, ensures that important details are not missed or misconstrued. When transcribing the interview, researchers should be meticulous in capturing the patient's exact words, ensuring that any abbreviations or acronyms are correctly documented. This meticulous approach facilitates a comprehensive analysis of the case and promotes transparency in the research process.

Moreover, researchers should consider the ethical implications of recording and transcribing patient interviews . Respecting patient confidentiality and privacy is paramount, and measures should be in place to safeguard sensitive information. Clear guidelines on data storage, access, and disposal should be established to protect the integrity of the research and uphold the trust placed in the researchers by the patients.

Analysing the Patient's Medical History

Analyzing the patient's medical history is an essential step in understanding the context of their condition and treatment. It involves accessing and interpreting medical records and identifying key medical events.

Delving into a patient's medical history unveils a treasure trove of information that can shed light on their current health status. From the initial diagnosis to the latest treatment regimen, each entry in the medical records forms a piece of the puzzle that researchers meticulously piece together.

Interpreting Medical Records

The analysis of medical records offers a comprehensive overview of the patient's healthcare journey. Researchers must examine medical reports, laboratory results, imaging studies, and other relevant documentation. Careful evaluation of these records helps researchers understand the course of the disease, the efficacy of previous treatments, and any complications that may have arisen.

Medical records are akin to a detailed roadmap of the patient's health landscape, providing valuable insights into the twists and turns encountered along the way. Each blood test result, X-ray image, and specialist consultation note contributes to painting a holistic picture of the patient's medical narrative.

Identifying Key Medical Events

Within the patient's medical history, certain key events may have had a significant impact on their condition. By identifying these events, researchers can explore their relevance to the overall case study. Examples of key events may include surgeries, significant changes in symptoms, adverse reactions to medications, or responses to specific treatments. These events help shape the narrative of the case study and provide valuable insights into the patient's healthcare journey.

Unearthing these pivotal moments in a patient's medical history is akin to discovering hidden gems that unlock crucial chapters in their healthcare story. Each key event serves as a turning point, influencing subsequent decisions and treatments that shape the patient's medical trajectory.

Writing the Patient Case Study

Once all the necessary information has been gathered and analyzed, it is time to write the patient case study. A well-structured and concise case study allows for easy comprehension and dissemination of information.

Structuring Your Case Study

When structuring the case study, it is important to present the information in a logical manner. Begin with an introduction that sets the context of the case study and outlines its objectives. Follow this with a detailed description of the patient's medical history, including relevant diagnostic tests, treatments, and interventions. Describe the patient's progress, including any challenges or complications encountered along the way. Finally, conclude with an analysis of the case, highlighting key findings, lessons learned, and potential implications for future research or clinical practice.

Using Medical Terminology Correctly

Using appropriate medical terminology is essential in ensuring clarity and precision in your case study. When describing symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, and other medical concepts, use standard, approved terminology widely accepted in the medical community. This consistency facilitates better understanding and communication between researchers, healthcare professionals, and readers of the case study.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the use of medical terminology also helps to maintain the integrity and professionalism of the case study. By adhering to established terminology, researchers can avoid confusion and ensure that their findings are accurately interpreted and applied in clinical settings.

Moreover, the correct use of medical terminology enhances the credibility of the case study. It demonstrates the author's expertise and knowledge in the field, lending weight to their conclusions and recommendations. This is particularly important when presenting case studies to medical professionals, who rely on accurate and precise language to make informed decisions about patient care.

In conclusion, writing a patient case study requires careful planning, ethical considerations, meticulous data collection, and effective communication. Patient case studies provide invaluable insights into medical conditions, contributing to the body of scientific knowledge and improving patient care and outcomes. By following this comprehensive guide, researchers can create informative and influential case studies that advance medical research and enhance clinical practices.

Therapeutic