How to Write Case Discussions

8/13/2019 How to Write Case Discussions

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How to write a case study

Prepared by Trisha Dunning AM

Chair in Nursing and Director Centre for Nursing and Allied Health Research, Deakin

University and Barwon Health, Geelong

Kitchener House

PO Box 281 Geelong VIC 3220

Australia

Telephone: 03 5246 5113

Fax: 03 5225 7294

Email: [email protected]

Proudly Supported By:


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Copyright T. Dunning 2

INTRODUCTION

Case studies are also known as case histories, case discussions and case reports.

They provide valuable information and observations that can expand knowledge and

can lead to new research or changes in policies and practices that improve patient

care.

Case studies are an ideal way of communicating information about interesting,

challenging and rare cases/issues encountered and key learnings from the event. They

might be clinical issues, ethical dilemmas or new theories. Thus, the intention is often

to educate and provoke discussion.

Although case studies essentially tell a story they should be logical and well written.

There are two common approaches to writing a case study:

1. Analytical, where the case is examined to try to understand whathappened and why it happened. Analytical case studies may not

actually identify problems or suggest solutions.

2. Problem oriented, where the case is analysed to identify problems andsuggest solutions to the problems identified.

However, many case studies are a combination of the two methods.

Many people tend to think of case studies as describing one individual. However the

term also refers to case series, which involves more than one case or person. In

addition, organisational case studies concern the story of an organisation rather than

an individual.

WRITING THE CASE STUDY

Before you start

Ascertain the guidelines for setting out the case history. Read the author guidelines

carefully and follow them. Note information such as font size, font type,

subheadings, word length, reference style and submission date. The guidelines may

differ among organisations depending on the purpose of the case history, which might

be:

Teaching in curriculum or textbooks. Conference presentation. A paper. Vignette in a questionnaire/examination/evaluation/teaching tool to determineknowledge, problem-solving application of knowledge.

An abstract of the case is needed for conference presentations (such as the ADEA

Abbott Award) and papers. Author guidelines for the ADEA-Abbott Diabetes Care

Case Study Awards can be found on the ADEA website (www.adea.com.au).


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An abstract is a summary of the full case study and the same subheadings are used,

however, there is usually a word limit, so there must be a reason for every word you

use. Active writing uses fewer words, is less ambiguous and is easier to read.

Consider the ethical issues

Consider the ethical issues concerned. It is important to protect individuals privacy

and the good name of organisations. Merely indicating the information is deidentifiedmay not be enough. Many organisations and journals require written consent from the

individual or their relatives before accepting the case for presentation or publication.

Written consent is required for photographs of individuals in most instances.

Make sure the abstract and the case study is focused

What is your case study about?

The case study needs to have a purpose, be interesting to the audience, maybe

challenge them a little, and have some intrinsic value e.g. to teach, highlight

management dilemmas and how they were resolved, provide important information

about rare conditions or new management methods, or relate theory to practice.

Collect the information you need to write the case studyInformation could include:

Clinical and laboratory information. Relevant literature identified in a structured literature search. Information obtained from colleagues or experts in the field.

Decide on a title

The title is important to attract the reader or reviewer and encourage them to read the

abstract and/or case study, however, it also need to be scholarly and meaningful.

Include important information

The abstract and the case study must flow logically from one section to the nextsection. The information should be descriptive, contain relevant information, and be

accurate and succinct.

The main sections are:

A background statement or introduction that explains the purpose of the casestudy and why it is relevant or novel. (One to two sentences in the abstract).

The literature review puts the case into context fro the reader. It should besuccinct and focused. Present what is known about the topic, how the

literature relates to the current case study and highlight the contribution the

case study will make to clinical care and the literature generally. (One to two

sentences in the abstract).

A description of the case history that describes relevant characteristics butprotects the individuals privacy. Information is more relevant if it is

presented chronologically and could include:

o Demographic characteristics.o Biochemical/laboratory data.o Key relevant investigations.


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o Medication history.o Other treatment such as diet and exercise.o Treatment decisions, how the decisions were made and who was

involved in making the decision and why there were chosen.

o Methods used to monitor outcomes.o What the key outcomes were (These will need to summarized carefully

for the abstract. Present enough information so the reader/reviewercan develop a picture of the person and the issue three to five sentences

in the abstract).

Discussion. The discussion section should discuss the case in the light ofexisting literature e.g. similarities and differences and suggest reasons for

these. It should include key learnings and implications for practice e.g.:

o What did you learn?o What do you want readers to learn?o Are any policy changes required? (three to five sentences in the

abstract).

Conclusion that address the purpose of the case study and/or key learningsbut is succinct and does not repeat the discussion. (One sentence in the

abstract).

List of references. (Must be listed in the abstract so try not to cite more thanone or your abstract will consist of a reference list and you will not have

enough words to actually sell your story).

The suggested numbers of sentences is a guide only. Check the word count before

you submit the abstract to make sure you do not go over the limit.

Have another person read your abstract before you submit it, but do not leave it to thelast minute!

Documents

How to Write Case Discussions