Effective Strategies for Publishing Case Reports in Medical Journals

1. Publishing Case Reports Charles E. Henley, D.O., M.P.H. Professor, Chair for Research University of Oklahoma College of Medicine-Tulsa

2. Purpose of Case Reports Providing information to others about diseases presentations, treatments, outcomes, using an illustrative case as a vehicle for discussion. ( my definition).

3. Getting Published • Have a well written case that exploits a point of view or teaches us something • Focus on the right audience and Journal • Use the instructions to authors • Communicate with editors • Respond positively to reviewers

4. Writing tips Introduction/background Typically short; 4-7 sentences Last sentence is description of case being presented Description/Case Describes specific case Case history, physical exam, differential diagnosis, treatment Only pertinent positive and negative findings

5. Writing tips Discussion / conclusions Reconfirm diagnosis Compare to similar cases Describe incidence/frequency History of the disease/condition Diagnosis considerations Compare /contrast with other cases What are the implications for the case: clinical practice, further research

6. Review of Journals Family practice journals Case Reports ? AFP Yes * Family Medicine No Journal of American Board of Family Medicine Yes The journal of family Practice No Annals of family Medicine No

7. Journal Review Medical Journals Case Reports ? JAMA Yes The American Journal of Medicine Yes The NEJM Yes BMJ Yes JAOA Yes Annals of Emergency Medicine Yes

8. Manuscript Format • 1000-1,200 Words • Double spaced, 12 point Font • No more than 2 figures or tables • 1” margins on all sides • Full title on title page • Authors names, highest degree, mailing address, phone/fax, e-mail address

9. Format • Abstract (<100 words), not always present • 3-5 Key words • “Uniform requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals, Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication” www.icmje.org • Use “End Notes” for formatting

10. Communicating with an Editor • Three methods of communication: mail, fax, and electronic submission • Electronic submission is preferred • Faxing is least acceptable • Editors usually want a copy of the manuscript on CD, esp. for tables • Read the information for authors • Checklists • Introductory letter

11. Examples of published Case Reports • A single case with a specific outcome or causality (Renal infarction in body builder) • (handout)

13. Case Report Example A population or cohort as a case report (Legionella), also a review article with an illustrative case.

15. Case Report Example • An unusual outcome of a commonly used drug regimen • (hypersensitivity pneumonitis)

17. Case report example A cause and effect with an illustrative case (Lupus and sex change)

19. Case report example A procedural issue with more than one (2) illustrative cases (displaced stress fracture)

22. Case report example A review of a topic with an illustrative case. Collagenous Colitis