Medical Ethics - Watch the series House, M.D. episode, Needle in a Haystack

“SO YOU WANT TO MAKE A CASE OUT OF IT...”

DEVELOPING CASES: COMPARATIVE ELEMENTS THE GENERIC ELEMENTS OF LEGAL CASE BRIEF:

1. Citation: The law: Where do we find it: Why is it interesting/relevant to discuss (thesis)

2. Facts: a. Material: what series of events happened b. Legal: what legal circumstance happened

3. Legal Questions raised: a. Specific: address very immediate issues (related to the case at hand) b. General: address the possible implications of the legal ramifications for general

law as a result of this case 4. The holding/outcome 5. The rationale for the decision (What is your reasoning for coming to this decision?)

THE GENERIC ELEMENTS OF A MEDICAL CASE PRESENTATION:

1. Introduction: History of clinical problem: Why is it interesting to study this case now? (thesis)

2. Case Presentation a. Chief complaint of the patient b. History of presenting ailments c. Examination results d. Lab findings e. Symptoms & Signs: Presentation-any differences? Present any details of typical

presenting signs and symptoms 3. Diagnostics: Any pathology in signs/symptoms, tests, or research interests; any

differential diagnoses discussed. 4. Natural History: What is the clinical course of the disease without treatment? 5. Epidemiology: What are the characteristics of the disease at the population level if the

disease were not treated. (How would this disease affect others, if at all?) 6. Etiology/Pathogenesis: What is the anatomy and physiology of the disease? How did it

occur? How does it spread? What are the implications of this? 7. Therapy/Response? What is the current approach? What is the scientific basis (or lack

thereof) for it (Any other interesting Discussion regarding alternatives, rationales etc. go here)

8. Conclusion THE GENERIC ELEMENTS OF AN ETHICS CASE STUDY:

1. Identify the problem being explored and establish a thesis. 2. Discuss the problem including cause, effect, theory, and background. 3. Discuss possible solutions or how the issue was resolved and what methods were used

in resolving the issue. 4. Describe the benefits of the study or how the study relates to an overall theme of your

thesis. 5. Conclude

See also, Chapters 6,7,9,10, and 16, of your Methods in Medical Ethics textbook for specific information about content.