Suvvari TK. Are case reports valuable? Exploring their role in evidence based medicine and patient care. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12(24): 5452-5455 [PMID: 39188604 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i24.5452]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Tarun Kumar Suvvari, MBBS, Academic Research, Doctor, Department of Clinical Research, Squad Medicine and Research (SMR), First Floor, SMR Main Office, 17-2-49/2, Vengalarao colony, Amadalavalasa 532185, Andhra Pradesh, India. drtarunsuvvariresearch@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Cases. Aug 26, 2024; 12(24): 5452-5455 Published online Aug 26, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i24.5452
Are case reports valuable? Exploring their role in evidence based medicine and patient care
Tarun Kumar Suvvari
Tarun Kumar Suvvari, Department of Clinical Research, Squad Medicine and Research (SMR), Amadalavalasa 532185, Andhra Pradesh, India
Tarun Kumar Suvvari, Department of Medicine, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada 533001, Andhra Pradesh, India
Author contributions: Suvvari TK contributed idea, conceptualization, supervision, writing and revision of draft, and approved final draft.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Author declare no conflicts of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Tarun Kumar Suvvari, MBBS, Academic Research, Doctor, Department of Clinical Research, Squad Medicine and Research (SMR), First Floor, SMR Main Office, 17-2-49/2, Vengalarao colony, Amadalavalasa 532185, Andhra Pradesh, India. drtarunsuvvariresearch@gmail.com
Received: March 8, 2024 Revised: May 15, 2024 Accepted: May 24, 2024 Published online: August 26, 2024 Processing time: 124 Days and 17.4 Hours
Abstract
Case reports, often overlooked in evidence-based medicine (EBM), play a pivotal role in healthcare research. They provide unique insights into rare conditions, novel treatments, and adverse effects, serving as valuable educational tools and generating new hypothesis. Despite their limitations in generalizability, case reports contribute significantly to evidence-based practice by offering detailed clinical information and fostering critical thinking among healthcare professionals. By acknowledging their limitations and adhering to reporting guidelines, case reports can contribute significantly to medical knowledge and patient care within the evolving landscape of EBM. This editorial explores the intrinsic value of case reports in EBM and patient care.
Core Tip: Case reports are indispensable in evidence-based medicine, offering crucial insights into rare cases and innovative treatments. While they are not as robust as randomized controlled trials or observational studies, case reports provide essential information that can guide clinical decision-making and stimulate further research. Embracing the significance of case reports can enrich medical education and improve patient outcomes.
