CASE STUDY ESSAY – DUE JULY 31

Case studies will be presented to the class tentatively scheduled for August 4th, following finals. All students are required to attend case study presentations. Presentations must be a minimum of 10 minutes long and no more than 15 minutes, including time allowed for questions. The case study grade will comprise a major portion of the final clinical grade. No late assignments are accepted.

The paper must be in MLA format – with a minimum of 750 words in the BODY of the paper, double-spaced with 1-inch margins. (Font size 12, Times New Roman font. Cover sheets, abstract pages and reference pages are not in the body of the paper, and are not part of the word count requirement.

Points will be lost for not meeting the required word count. Additionally, pictures/charts/definition lists/bullet points are NOT to be included in the body of the paper, but may be included as an addendum, after the References page.

This is a professional research paper. Appropriate research and citation of references must be used. Proper grammar, punctuation, sentence, and paragraph structure must be used. The use of slang, racism, or any other derogatory language will not be tolerated.

The case study should maintain patient confidentiality. The use of actual names in the paper, on printed material and/or medical images is strictly prohibited. Do not use the patient’s name, ID #, DOB, actual age, dates of admission, hospital, doctor’s name, sonographer’s name…NOTHING.

A case study may be selected at any time during the clinical rotation, but students should try to collect data early to avoid rushing at the last minute to write the paper. Case selection should be based upon clinically interesting diagnosis and or findings. Information to be presented should include, but is not limited to the following: patient history, physical exam, clinical findings, diagnostic results, interpretation of results and lab data, hemodynamic correlations, definitions of medical terms, patient diagnosis and related problems, treatment, medications, follow up and patient outcome or prognosis. Deductions will be made if any of the preceding information is missing.

Students must use REPUTABLE resources; books, journals, and the internet. You may not use any internet source that cannot be properly cited. Hint: If you cannot find an author, DO NOT use it. Stay away from wikipedia, emed, medline etc. Use professional articles.