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How to Write a Case Report for Medical Journals: Complete Guide

Quick answer: Follow the 13‑item CARE checklist, obtain written patient consent, choose a target journal (check its word‑limit and formatting), prepare a structured manuscript (title, abstract, introduction, case presentation, discussion, conclusion, patient perspective, consent statement), optionally deposit the report in an open‑access repository, and submit.

Why write a case report?

  • Educational value: Highlights rare diseases, novel treatments, or unexpected adverse events.
  • Professional visibility: First‑author publications are valuable for students, residents, and early‑career researchers.
  • Evidence building: Case reports can seed larger case series or inform clinical guidelines.

Step‑by‑step workflow

1. Identify a publishable case

  • The case must be unique, unexpected, or illustrate an important lesson.
  • Verify that the same case has not been reported previously (search PubMed, Google Scholar, and the target journal’s archive).

2. Choose the right journal

Journal Scope Typical Word Limit Open‑Access?
BMJ Case Reports General medicine 1 500 words (excluding abstract) Hybrid
Journal of Medical Case Reports All specialties 2 000 words Open‑Access
Case Reports in Medicine Clinical specialties 2 500 words Open‑Access
BMC Research Notes Brief case‑based research 1 800 words Open‑Access

Tip: Check the journal’s Instructions for Authors for the latest limits and any specialty‑specific sections (e.g., radiology images, surgical video).

3. Obtain informed consent

  • Use a written consent form that states the purpose, what will be published, and that the patient can withdraw consent before publication.
  • Include a patient‑perspective paragraph (required by CARE) describing the patient’s view of the case.
  • Store the consent form securely; many journals ask to upload it during submission.

4. Gather data & visuals

  • Clinical notes, lab results, imaging (CT, MRI), pathology slides.
  • Create a timeline figure (date | event | finding | intervention) – CARE item 7.
  • Export images as high‑resolution PNG/JPEG and anonymise any identifiers.

5. Draft the manuscript using the CARE checklist

CARE item What to include
1. Title Include “case report” and the main diagnosis or intervention.
2. Keywords 2‑5 terms plus “case report”.
3. Abstract Structured (Background, Case presentation, Discussion). Keep ≤ 250 words.
4. Introduction Why the case matters; brief literature context.
5. Patient information Age, sex, relevant history, comorbidities.
6. Clinical findings Signs, symptoms, exam results.
7. Timeline Table or figure with dates and key events.
8. Diagnostic assessment Tests performed, differential diagnosis, reasoning.
9. Therapeutic intervention Treatment details, dosage, duration, modifications.
10. Follow‑up and outcomes Short‑ and long‑term results, complications, prognosis.
11. Discussion Compare with existing literature, highlight novelty, discuss limitations.
12. Patient perspective Direct quote or paraphrase of the patient’s experience.
13. Informed consent Statement that consent was obtained; attach form if required.

6. Add optional elements that improve acceptance

  • Data‑sharing statement: Deposit de‑identified datasets or images in repositories such as Figshare, Zenodo, or the journal’s own supplement.
  • Ethics statement: Even if it’s a single case, state the ethical review outcome (often “not required” for de‑identified case reports).
  • Supplementary material: Detailed lab tables or extended images can be uploaded as supplementary files.

7. Proofread and format

  • Follow the journal’s reference style (Vancouver, APA, Harvard, etc.).
  • Ensure all figures have captions and are referenced in the text.
  • Run a plagiarism check – many journals run it automatically on submission.

8. Submit and track

  1. Create an account on the journal’s manuscript system (e.g., Elsevier Editorial Manager, Springer Editorial Manager).
  2. Upload the manuscript, figures, consent form, and any supplementary files.
  3. Fill in the metadata (keywords, author affiliations).
  4. Choose the appropriate article type – usually “Case Report”.
  5. Submit and monitor the status dashboard for reviewer comments.

Practical checklist

  • [ ] Confirm case novelty via literature search.
  • [ ] Select target journal and note word limit.
  • [ ] Obtain written patient consent (include patient perspective).
  • [ ] Prepare timeline figure.
  • [ ] Draft manuscript following CARE items.
  • [ ] Create data‑sharing statement and upload files to an open‑access repository (if applicable).
  • [ ] Proofread for journal‑specific formatting and reference style.
  • [ ] Submit and record manuscript ID.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them

Pitfall Solution
Missing patient consent Use a standard consent template; keep a signed copy on file.
Over‑long abstract Aim for 250 words; omit background detail that belongs in the introduction.
Poor image anonymisation Blur facial features, remove identifiers, and label images only with study IDs.
Ignoring journal‑specific limits Double‑check author guidelines before finalising word count.
Skipping the timeline Create a simple table in Word/Markdown; it satisfies CARE item 7 and aids reviewers.

Related guides on Essays‑Panda

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All information reflects guidance available up to April 2026. Always verify the latest author instructions on the journal’s website before submission.