An international consultation on case reports in addiction medicine

Background: A Case Report (CR) is a scientific documentation of a single clinical observation which serves to inform but also to educate the reader. Case reports help to compliment clinical critical thinking in Addiction Medicine (AM) when there is limited evidence base. 

Aim: This study aims to analyze how international clinical and research leaders in Addiction Medicine view Case Reports and their relevance to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. 

Methods: A semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with 12 international Addiction Medicine scholars. Thematic content analysis was used to code the transcribed interview data. 

Results: Interviewees showed a positive view toward publishing Case Reports in Addiction Medicine. They found that medical students and clinicians working in the field of Addiction Medicine should be encouraged to share and record cases of clinical interaction. To aid this process (1) formal supervised training in case reporting within an academic environment must be facilitated. And (2) journals should also offer a place to publish Case Reports. 

Conclusion: The international scholars agree that Case Reports are important for the development of Addiction Medicine and that they can contribute to a better understanding of patients with substance use disorder.