Mini-Lecture - Case Studies

What is a medical case study? It is presentation, in written form, of a hypothetical patient. Usually case studies are based on actual patients that physicians share with students and each other. Because of the great variations in patients and the illnesses they present with, it is very useful for doctors of all levels of experience who use case studies as a way to further their knowledge. It has also been shown that expert physicians rely on their experience with cases, rather than their memory of physiological detail, to diagnose illnesses (Schmidt and Boshuizen, 1993).

A case study should contain all the information that you would receive if you were the physician treating the patient. It is a simulation that allows one to practice diagnosing illnesses in an environment of support and learning. A case study should include the following information:

1. Information about the patient, including their age, gender, and any other information that may be relevant to the case, such as their occupation (if their illness is affected by the work they do.) It is also important that too much information not be provided to avert identification of the patient.

2. Information about the symptoms the patient is coming to the doctor for, called the "Chief Complaint". This is called the history of present illness or "HPI" This is the first part of a medical exam. You will learn more about the medical exam in the "Mini-lecture - The Medical Exam" section.

3. Information on any other illness, condition or accident they have or have had. This is done to provide potential clues as to what may be going on with their chief complaint. This is called the "Past Medical History."

4. Pertinent information about vital signs, tests, medical imaging studies or any other diagnostic processes that has been performed.

Case studies can be about common illness or ones that are rarely seen and require some fancy detective work. That's why they are so fun! This is the beginning of your clinical journey.

Schmidt, H.G., Boshuizen, H.P.A., (1993). On acquiring expertise in medicine, Educational Psychology Review, 5 (3), 205-221.

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