Case Reports

This Q&A includes common questions and important considerations when planning your case report.

Is there a need for a case report on this topic?

• Assess if the case offers unique insights or educational value.
• Consider if it describes:
  • A rare condition.
  • An unusual presentation.
  • A novel treatment approach.
  • New insights into disease mechanisms.
• Conduct a literature review to ensure the case adds to existing knowledge and fills a gap in the current medical literature.

Have I fulfilled ethical requirements?

• Obtain informed consent from the patient.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Adhere to HIPAA guidelines for de-identification of protected health information.
• Meet institutional review requirements for human subjects research, including:
  • Requirements of Texas A&M University.
  • Requirements of the clinic or hospital where the patient received care.

Do I need IRB approval?

• IRB approval requirements vary by institution.
• At Texas A&M:
  • Depends on the number of patient records used.
  • Depends on whether the review is retrospective or prospective.
• Refer to "Human Subjects Research Determination (Case Report Studies)" from the TAMU Division of Research for guidance.
• Some journals may request a formal determination from the IRB (a memo or letter).
• Verify the target journal's requirements and the requirements of the clinic or hospital where the patient received care.

How do I obtain informed consent?

• Explain to the patient:
  • The purpose of the case report.
  • How their information will be used.
  • Their rights, including the right to withdraw consent at any time.
• Use a standardized consent form.
• Maintain documentation of the consent process.
• Refer to the TAMU Human Research Protection Program for consent form templates.

How do I ensure HIPAA compliance and de-identification?

• De-identify patient information by removing all 18 identifiers specified by the HIPAA Privacy Rule (see De-Identification Standard).
• Ensure that any context described in the case report and de-identified data cannot be traced back to the patient.

What expertise is needed on the team?

• Include:
  • The primary clinician.
  • A mentor or senior physician.
  • Other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.
• Collaborate with colleagues who have:
  • Subject knowledge.
  • Experience in writing and publishing case reports.

Where can I publish my case report?

• Use tools and lists to identify journals that publish case reports.
• Choose a journal that aligns with the topic and significance of your case report.
• Consider journals dedicated to publishing case reports on various topics, such as:
  • BMJ Case Reports.
  • Journal of Medical Case Reports.
• Review the journal's submission guidelines and ensure your manuscript meets their criteria.

What standards and reporting requirements do I need to follow in preparing the manuscript?

• Adhere to the CARE Guidelines for writing case reports.
• Check and follow the specific content, formatting, and submission requirements of your target journal.