Case Report

[Hemichordate]

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How would a medical student get authorship for a case report? Since the process is just describing a new and rare disease/infection/occurrence etc., the main task is just to write a report, which I'm assuming is usually done by the resident or attending. In that case, what opportunity is there for the medical student to make intellectual or other contributions? I'm guessing one wouldn't get authorship just by being part of the team which reported the case.

 

[CatFactorial]

I've always thought case reports have more to do with interest/dedication than intellectual contribution. They are useful opportunities though.

Even though a med student wouldn't know as much as the resident/attending, isn't the whole point of a case report to write up an interesting/rare situation? That sounds like it primarily has to do with being at the right place at the right time.

 

[KaptainKrunch]

Find a relatively large institution that sees a high volume of patients in a very specific field. Then ask any friendly attendings/residents if there are projects available.

 

[coldleg]

The med student should be able to write it. Describe what was done or what was seen, and include a review of current literature describing the old way of doing things or how the thing usually presents.

For example, if a rare/unusual presentation of a diagnosis walks through the door, you can describe the presenting sx, the workup, and how you arrived at the diagnosis. Then do a review on what literature does exist on the disease and compare it with your case. Pictures are always appreciated too.

Even if you put together a rough first draft, you should still have residents/attendings proofread it and still come away with first authorship.

 

[typhoonegator]

My first publication was a case report during my MS4 year. I found an attending in my chosen field, shadowed him, and asked him if he had any interesting cases that I could write up. I wrote the case report, he edited the heck out of it for content and form, and I got first authorship.

You really need someone senior to help you select a case, because you don't have enough context as a med student to know what is worth writing up. I mean, you could see porphyria or a pheo and think it is incredible, but if it doesn't teach something new or interesting, it probably shouldn't get written up. Because they will find a porphyria expert to review that manuscript, and they might say "meh".

As a fellow, I have tried to give interesting cases to my residents to write up, and they almost never take the opportunity. Residents are overworked and case reports just don't carry that much weight to make them worth it. Attendings that are clinician-scientists rarely write cases up by themselves, but some pure clinicians or clinician-educator track people do write a lot of them. So as a med student, you should feel empowered to grab the bull by the horns and ask your attendings for help identifying cases and editing your manuscript.

 

[ar2388]

it is very hard to publish a case report tho.. at least in rads... with my attending, we have just submitted to our 5th journal... keeping those fingers crossed..