title: Case reports and case series in prehospital emergency care research.
abstract: Research begins with a clearly stated question, problem or hypothesis. The selection of a study design appropriate to the task is the next key step. This paper provides guidance for the use of case report and case series designs by describing the 'what', 'when' and 'how' of both designs. Also described is the use of case reports and case series study designs in prehospital emergency research and the quality of published literature from 2000 to mid-2008.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Emergency Medicine of Western PA Inc, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Iroquois Bldg, Suite 400A, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. pattersond@upmc.edu
authors.forename: P Daniel
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Sunday
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Yealy
mesh_terms: D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012196:Review Literature as Topic