Case Reports

There are a few things to consider before starting a case study project. 

1. Determine if this is worthy of a case study report
   1. If you are unsure, consult your attending(s), clinical instructor(s), etc. who was the lead on the case
2. Confirm that this case has not been written about before
   1. Consult the literature; there may be ways that your case is still novel if a similar case was already published
   2. If you are unsure how to consult the literature, where to search, or how to create a search strategy, reach out to your program's librarian
3. Discuss with your attending(s), clinical instructor(s), etc. about writing a case report
   1. You will want to ensure that they or others on the clinical team are given the opportunity to be included as authors as well as discuss if they are also willing to help write and/or edit the report manuscript
   2. This also ensures that there are no accidental duplicate reports
4. Obtain patient permission 
   1. Ofttimes publications will require proof of patient consent to be eligible for submission. Consult with the clinical team for how to proceed as the site may have guidelines and procedures to follow

Communication is key. As indicated in Step 1, be sure to consult with the clinical team that cared for the patient, and follow general inclusion guidelines below. After writing, be sure to keep all authors updated with where the manuscript is being submitted, where the case is being presented (i.e. a poster, talk, etc.), or any awards won.

Authors should be included if they:

• Made substantial contributions to the design AND
• Were involved in drafting or revising AND
• Approved the final version AND
• Agree to be accountable for the work

*Clinicians who were involved in the case but were not actively participatory in the writing generally should not be included.

Author order:

• List in order of contribution
• Mentors who oversaw the entire writing process can be given the last slot, which is usually designated for senior authors

Acknowledgements

• Persons who do not meet the criteria for authorship can be acknowledged for their assistance at the end of the article, poster, or presentation
• A name listed in the acknowledgement section implies that they endorse your work so be sure to verify their permission

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. (n.d.). Defining the Roles of Authors and Contributors. https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html 

Luciano G, Jobbins K, Rosenblum M. A Curriculum to Teach Learners How to Develop and Present a Case Report. MedEdPORTAL. 2018;14:10692. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10692

Moore K. A Medical Writing Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents: Using Adult Learning Theory to Teach Formal Medical Writing and Publication of Case Reports. MedEdPORTAL. 2015;11:10073. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10073

Understanding CRediT

Many journals and publishers now require authors to specify contributions using CRediT. The CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) system is designed to help clearly identify and communicate the specific roles individuals play in the creation of scholarly work. It does not determine who qualifies as an author. Instead, it provides a structured way to describe the unique contributions of each team member—whether they are listed as authors or acknowledged as contributors.

By using CRediT, research teams can promote transparency, ensure proper recognition, and support fair authorship practices. For early-career researchers, this can be especially valuable in documenting your involvement in collaborative projects and building a clear record of your scholarly contributions. 

Key Guidelines

• Assign roles early: The submitting or corresponding author is typically responsible for assigning CRediT roles during manuscript submission. Even if the journal doesn’t require CRediT, you can still include contributor roles in sections like the Author Note, Contribution Statement, or Acknowledgments.
• Multiple roles are common: Researchers often contribute in more than one way, such as designing the study, analyzing data, and writing the manuscript. CRediT allows for multiple roles to be assigned to a single individual.
• Shared roles are acceptable: More than one person can be credited with the same role. For example, two authors might both contribute to data curation or methodology.
• Not all roles apply: CRediT includes 14 contributor roles, but not all will be relevant to every research output. Only include the roles that accurately reflect the work done.