Please send us cases! Contributors names are always shown. Look at current cases and read below to understand what we’re looking for, and what and how to submit.

Purpose

The aim is to present usually common, important examples from different health systems. Thinking about problems when you can’t simply follow your local pathway makes you question and test those pathways, which is good for learning.

• It isn’t meant to be a repository for exceptional case reports – though there can be a case for unusual presentations that illustrate important points.
• Nothing is too simple or common – this is a way of learning what’s out there and how to deal with it.
• Repetition is good! Different contexts alter assumptions. It is not just OK but good to have multiple cases with the same diagnosis, if the problem is common or important.

What we need:

• Background and clinical details – quite concise; you can see the format.
• Data to reveal after first thoughts? Is it appropriate to keep a bit of data back that readers click to reveal after they’ve had a first think? Structure it this way where you can.
• Outcome or answer.  Expert review important here, and to let us know who has done this (they can share the authorship).
• Email submission is fine – don’t trouble about formatting .
• A photo or other illustration is invaluable. If it is a recognisable or track-backable image of a patient, you must have permission.  Simple line drawings, and localising images from the hospital/city/country you are in (copyright-free or your own) are good.
• Recommend further info sources in the ‘Answer’ part.  They must be openly available on the web.  Favour sources that are an easy, short, but informative read. Do not use (exceptions need to be special) undated, unattributed sources, or ones with dodgy adverts (dietary supplements to cure cancer, etc).
• Anonymisation is essential.  Often this is aided by changing details that are not critical to the case, such as age, location, sex. You must have explicit and recorded (usually signed) permission from the patient to use their case online for educational purposes if there is the slighest possibility that they could be recognised from the info presented.

By submitting a case, you are indicating that you have fulfilled all the conditions above!

Crediting you

You and your co-authors will be credited in your post.

How to submit

Send cases to n.turner@rcpe.ac.uk

Last Updated on February 6, 2025 by admin