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: trisha.dunning@barwonhealth.org.au
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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 what happened 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 and suggest 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 determine knowledge, 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 deidentified may 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 study Information 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 next section. 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 case study 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 be succinct 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 but protects 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. Copyright T. Dunning 3

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/reviewer can 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 of existing 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 learnings but 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 than one 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 the last minute!

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