Writing for publication: What about case reports?

Abstract

Since its inception, the Journal of Forensic Nursing has served as a vehicle for advancing the science of forensic nursing. As an Editorial Board, we have steadfastly embraced our responsibilities to expand empirical evidence important to the practice of forensic nursing worldwide. To this end, original articles and review papers have been the mainstay of the Journal of Forensic Nursing. However, we have also recognized that a number of manuscripts that are submitted for review, don't quite fit our current author guidelines. Furthermore, we also believe that from an educational and clinical practice perspective there is much to be learned from a well-crafted scholarly case report. So what is a case report from a publishing perspective?Oermann and Hays (2010) state “case reports provide new information by focusing on a single patient, family, community setting, or organization, where in-depth knowledge of the specific case may be informative for understanding larger groups of patients or settings” (Oermann & Hays, 2010, p. 191). We are mainly concerned with forensic case reports that have the potential to add to the knowledge base of practicing forensic nurses. And while the subject matter is wide open, case reports that are embedded in clinical practice, present unique or rare forensic situations, and are designed to educate and inform the readership are of particular interest. Why should forensic nurses consider writing case reports? The answer is simple. Case reports provide readers with new knowledge and firsthand insights into unique forensic situations. They illustrate the integration of concepts, theories, and research relevant to forensic nursing; they promote critical thinking, ethical decision making, and clinical judgment; which may ultimately lead to further innovations in research (Cohen, 2006; Green & Johnson, 2006; Oermann & Hays, 2010). Writing for publication is the foundation for scholarly communication among professional colleagues. Writing case reports for publication contributes further to the ongoing discourse that is required of an evolving specialty. What does a case report entail? Case reports, like other submissions to the Journal of Forensic Nursing will undergo rigorous peer review to determine the fit of the paper with the mandate of the journal, as well as the relevance of the paper to the readership. Case reports under consideration will be further assessed for appropriateness, methodology, innovation, readability, ethics, and clinical implications. Case reports are brief (1000–2000 words), well written, structured manuscripts, with content organized into the following sections: description of the case, summary of key findings, treatment, discussion, and conclusions. In all situations, ethical consideration of the subject matter of the case report must be considered. Patient information in particular should be disguised so that the patient's confidentiality is not breached or compromised. If this cannot be assured, the consent from the patient or authorized designee must be submitted with the manuscript. Description of the case The paper begins with a clear concise presentation of the case report, including all relevant data and contextual information. In writing up the case description, authors should consider key facts that illustrate the main points of the assessment, or that provide a summary of relevant information. It is important to elucidate the important and key information rather than presenting extraneous aspects of the case. Authors are asked to provide a summary of key findings, to ensure that the reader is clear on the important and unique aspects of the case. Treatment The treatment section includes a succinct description of the management of the specific case and the treatment provided. This may include collaboration with other healthcare providers or with the criminal justice system, and referrals to other agencies or entities as appropriate. Discussion The discussion section represents the “meat” of the manuscript—where the teaching and learning takes place. As the longest section of the case report, authors are asked to describe how the information provided compares to recent peer-reviewed research literature; textbook references are generally not appropriate. In this section, the author applies the case to current literature so that the readers can learn from the experience of the author. Problems that were encountered in the assessment, treatment, and follow-up of the case can be addressed by providing “lessons learned” and “pitfalls to be avoided.” Recommendations for care, grounded in peer-reviewed literature, should also be included in this section. It is important that the author not provide basic knowledge on the topic. While research is cited, the purpose of this manuscript is not to provide an in-depth literature review of the topic. Thus, references should be limited to a maximum of 15. Conclusion The conclusion section of the manuscript must highlight key findings, lessons learned, and clear practice recommendations for forensic nurses. Are there limitations to case reports? Case reports are an excellent medium through which information regarding unique or rare cases that emerge in clinical practice can be explored and debated. And while findings and recommendations that emerge from case reports cannot be generalized, research questions for further study may emerge. As such, as an Editorial Board, we believe that case reports also represent relevant information to the science underpinning forensic nursing. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Editorial Board member Dr. Brian McKenna, who has graciously agreed to take the lead of this new feature of the Journal of Forensic Nursing. Dr. McKenna is the Director of the Centre for Mental Health Research and also holds a senior clinical and academic position as Nurse Consultant for the Auckland Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services in New Zealand. He brings a wealth of experience as a researcher, academician, and clinician to this post. On behalf of Dr. McKenna, and the other members of the Editorial Board, I welcome your inquiries, and I look forward to receiving your case reports for review for publication.