"Case reports are solely descriptions of practice, and they can generate ideas, hypotheses, and techniques that can be tested or studied later through controlled experiments. A case report can serve more than one purpose; it might convey experiences to other clinicians while revealing hypotheses for future research, or it might provide material for teaching and learning while assisting in the evolution of theory. It might persuade or motivate other practitioners, or help develop practice guidelines and critical pathways."
McEwen, I. (2009). Writing case reports: A how-to manual for clinicians. Alexandra, Virginia: The American Physical Therapy Association.
The following journals specialize in publishing case reports. Article submission instructions can be viewed by clicking on each title. Many of these titles are open access, meaning the author may have to pay an article processing charge in exchange for having the article immediately readable for all without the need for a subscription. The Article Processing Charge column (accurate as of 6/2016, may change over time) shows the cost for authors if their case report is accepted for publication.
BMJ Case Reports accepts cases in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical specialties, so there are opportunities for students, staff and faculty in medicine, nursing and public health. A full list of BMJ Case Reports' specialties can be viewed on their Collections page.
BMJ Case Reports makes it easy to submit cases by providing templates for full cases, "Images in" cases and global health cases. These templates can be accessed, along with additional guidelines for writing, on the Instructions for Authors page.
GW Institutional Fellowship:
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library pays for an institutional fellowship with BMJ Case Reports, which allows GW faculty, staff and students to publish case reports without having to pay individual fellowship fees. If you are a GW faculty member, staff member, or student and wish to submit a case to BMJ Case Reports, please contact Ruth Bueter, Serials & Systems Librarian (202-994-9756; rbueter@gwu.edu) to receive the GW fellowship code.
Information for Non-GW Affiliates:
Non GW-affiliates are encouraged to contact their institutions to learn if their institution pays for an institutional fellowship with BMJ Case Reports. Alternatively, authors may also purchase an individual fellowship with BMJ Case Reports. Individual fellowships allow authors to submit as many cases as they wish during their 12 month fellowship period free of charge.
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