Does the case study have a future in the psychiatric literature?

Abstract

Case studies (that is, case-based research) and their status in contemporary psychiatric literature are the main focus of this article. In essence, it evaluates the validity of such research to determine whether or not it will continue to be useful as a viable tool in light of the current emphasis on empirically validated research in the field of psychiatry. Various implications of the role of case studies are considered, including the ways in which the research might be designed to be more rigorous so that it can serve as the basis for drawing causal inferences in clinical cases. A discussion section highlights the future direction of case-based research in the professional literature and how it may be used to best advantage as a learning tool.