In Defense of the Case Report: Thoughts of an Academic Generalist

As more and more physicians opt for training in subspecialties, academic generalists have less and less opportunities to contribute to the medical literature, since most available research funding is allocated to basic science or to support large-scale prospective trials. Even case-controlled or retrospective cohort studies seem out of reach for the busy hospital-based teaching doctor. For them, case reports provide a way to learn, teach and publish.