Abstract
Case reports are of minor importance in evidence-based medicine but can nonetheless make meaningful contributions to both knowledge and education. Although many traditional medical journals publish fewer case reports in this era of space constraints and preoccupation with Impact Factors, new Internet-based journals are appearing that focus exclusively on reports of individual cases. Given the variability of documentation, objectivity, and interpretation among the case reports now accessible by clinicians and trainees, it is important to be able to read them critically and to use the information they contain appropriately. This article discusses factors to consider in evaluating individual case reports, and provides a practical semi-quantitative scheme for assessing their potential validity and educational value.
- case reports
- publishing
- medical writing
- conflict of interest
- medical education
- research
- critical thinking
- evidence-based medicine
Footnotes
- Correspondence: David J Pierson MD, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Box 359762, Seattle WA 98104, E-mail: djp{at}u.washington.edu.
Dr Pierson presented a version of this paper at the RESPIRATORY CARE Journal Symposium at the 54th International Respiratory Congress of the American Association for Respiratory Care, held December 13-16, 2008, in Anaheim, California.
The author has disclosed no conflicts of interest.
- Copyright © 2009 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
