Drafting a Successful Case Report Abstract CDR Maureen

Drafting a Successful Case Report Abstract CDR Maureen Padden MD MPH FAAFP And The USAFP Research Judges

The USAFP Research Judges • • • Anthony Beutler, MD, MAJ, USAF Kenneth Fink, MD, MGA, MPH, Maj, USAF Chuck Henley, DO, MPH Sandy Kimmer, MD, MPH, LCDR, USN Mary Krueger, DO, MPH, LTC, USA Maureen Padden, MD, MPH, CDR, USN Jackie Resnick Brian Unwin, MD, COL, USA David Cruess, Ph. D

Agenda • Walk you through the process of planning and executing an outstanding case report abstract • Help you to begin work on a case you brought —or, work through the process with an example case • Tap into the Judges experience to understand what they think when they review and judge case report abstracts

First Step • Choose your case – Apply the so-what test? • • Unique, previously undescribed, syndrome or disease Unexpected relationship or association Variation from expected pattern Unexpected therapeutic or adverse drug reaction – It is all in the framing. What questions does this case lead you to ask next?

Minor Case Reports • • • Everyone should remember… Grand rounds I-am-a-clever-chap case Variations on a well known theme Goodness! Book of World Records This is not to say that these cases are without merit but you have to think of how you will frame them to make presentation worthy…

You identify a case. . what next? • What category does your case fall into? • What is your potential audience and why should they care? • My theory: As Covey says---”Begin with the end in mind” – Write your conclusion first—what is the take away message? – Everything else in your case should point and tie into that conclusion

Writing your Conclusion • What are the implications and relevance of your case—especially for clinical practice? • Is there need for further investigation to either understand or refine management of similar cases? • Abstract: – Concise, 2 -3 sentences to make point

Exercise (10 min) • Ponder the case you brought or the example case provided and draft a 2 -3 sentence conclusion using the principles we discussed • Feel free to ask the judges to assist you • We will ask a few folks to share

Can You Really Sell the Case? • Next step is your literature search: – Pubmed, Ovid, Medline, Google, Cochrane, etc – Use your medical librarian to assist – Ask the experts in the field of interest – Obtain and review articles that are pertinent • Read the abstracts of papers identified as a screen • Completely review those of pertinence and collect notes (End Note can be helpful in this regard) • Literature search will determine relevance

Exercise (5 min) • Take a few moments to think about the terms you will use to attempt literature review of your case topic • List of potential sites provided • Ask the judges for assistance in strategies for your literature search

Case is relevant—what next? • Review your conclusion to ensure it still stands after your literature review • Time to write your abstract introduction – 2 -3 sentences – Statement of goal or purpose – Why is the case unique or worth reporting? – Background information—only if relevant to introduce the topic.

Exercise (10 minutes) • Write your introduction for your case abstract • Remember: – Goal or purpose – Why is case unique or worth reading – Relevant background only if needed to introduce the case – 2 -3 sentences only needed – Ensure it ties into conclusion – Ask the judges for assistance as needed

Case & Exercise (15 min) Account of the case with relevant data Brief Chronological Relevant. Include only data important to case Clearly written—remove excess jargon Begin to now craft the elements of your abstract case section…weed out what you will include versus not include • Ask the judges for assistance as needed • What will you include? What will you leave out? • • •

Discussion & Exercise (15 min) • Present evidence regarding uniqueness of case • Review of pertinent medical literature • Declare and deal with contradictory evidence • Exercise (15 min) – begin to draft your discussion section of your abstract • Ensure it ties back into your conclusion • Ask the judges for assistance as needed

Your first draft abstract is done • Next steps – Leave it alone for a few days to weeks – Ask a friend to review it and provide comments – When you pick it up to review again Review for originality, accuracy and validity Review organization and development of case Grammar and spelling review Style - does it flow from one area to next and tie to the conclusion? • Overall readability of the abstract • •

Key Takeaway Points • Abstract is your foot in the door to the competition • It speaks for itself • Paper is where you will expand information • Relevance must be shown right away • Bare bones key information in abstract only • All aspects of abstract must tie to conclusion

Example critiques • Lets look at a few cases now and have a dialogue…

Closing • Judges are available as a resource throughout the year • If one of your residents does not get accepted look at it as an opportunity to revamp and resubmit using the judges comments • Collect potential cases as the year goes along —don’t wait until the last minute