Developing a Beginner’s Guide to Writing a Clinical Case Report: A Pilot Evaluation by Junior Doctors

Abstract

IntroductionWriting a case report increases one’s knowledge about a particular disease condition, demonstrates intellectual curiosity and commitment to scientific inquiry and the ability to follow through on scholarly projects. Despite several articles and journal-specific instructions published concerning case report writing, none have been evaluated by their intended audience. The aim of this study was to get junior doctors to evaluate an online presentation as part of the process of developing a beginner’s guide to writing a clinical case report.Materials and methodsIn response to our previous studies an online presentation concerning how to write a clinical case report was provided for junior doctors. Junior doctors were invited by email to look at the online presentation and complete an online evaluation form thereafter. The questions were adapted from the Evaluation Form for Teaching and Presentations provided by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board. Data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively.ResultsSixty-five doctors looked at the presentation and completed the online evaluation form. All agreed that the objectives of the presentation were identified and met. Sixty-four (98.5%) agreed that it was effective and clear. Sixty percent indicated that they found the information and instructions useful. An additional 13.85% found the whole presentation useful without specifying any aspect. Eight percent found the summary slide useful, 4.62% found the case selection criteria slide to be useful and 4.62% found the permission and patient consenting slide useful. Twenty percent would like the inclusion of examples of good abstracts and case reports, 13.85% would like more teaching sessions, and 13.85% would like improvements to the slide-presentation format. Overall, 64 junior doctors (98.46%) remarked that the presentation was good, very good or excellent.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated the importance of evaluation of teaching material by junior doctors while developing a beginner’s guide to writing a clinical case report. Once the above action points and limitations have been taken into account, further repeat evaluations by junior doctors need to be undertaken while developing a robust beginner’s guide to writing a clinical case report.

Methodological recommendations for the elaboration of the discussion of the clinical case report

“…Hemos observado en la facultad de medicina, la di cultad en los alumnos de pregrado y postgrado en la elaboración de la discusión de los reportes de caso, siendo esta la sección que más tiempo les conlleva elaborar, así como la que más errores contiene. Se ha descrito que esta de ciencia sea debida posiblemente a dos factores: la falta capacitación en esta área y a una (8) tutoría inadecuada . Adicionalmente, planteamos que también un factor adicional sería no contar con una guía secuencial y detallada que nos permitiría una mejor comprensión del proceso por parte de los estudiantes y un menor tiempo en la elaboración de los reportes, debido a que pese de haber varias guías e instrucciones especí cas de revistas sobre cómo escribir informes de casos clínicos, a los médicos jóvenes todavía les resulta difícil redactar un informe de (8) caso .…”

“…Se ha descrito que esta de ciencia sea debida posiblemente a dos factores: la falta capacitación en esta área y a una (8) tutoría inadecuada . Adicionalmente, planteamos que también un factor adicional sería no contar con una guía secuencial y detallada que nos permitiría una mejor comprensión del proceso por parte de los estudiantes y un menor tiempo en la elaboración de los reportes, debido a que pese de haber varias guías e instrucciones especí cas de revistas sobre cómo escribir informes de casos clínicos, a los médicos jóvenes todavía les resulta difícil redactar un informe de (8) caso . Por este motivo, el objetivo de la presente revisión fue elaborar recomendaciones metodológicas para la elaboración de la discusión de un reporte de caso clínico.…”

Editorial: The Increasing Relevance of Case Reports in Medical Education and Clinical Practice – and How to Write Them

“…Case reports are often the first publications for medical and surgical trainees at the start of their careers [ 20 ]. Some medical schools provide training in writing formal case reports as part of the clinical curriculum, often as part of the clinical pathology or laboratory medicine program, supported with guidance from clinical tutors [ 20 , 21 ]. In January 2023, Gupta and colleagues highlighted the importance of writing and publishing case reports by medical trainees and clarified the requirements for time, training, and mentorship [ 22 ].…”