The Case Conference is an interactive learning session designed to encourage group discussion and critical thinking. The purpose of the Case Conference is to present a case relevant to the organ system or topic specified by the education calendar.
Format Pearls
- The goal of this conference is to focus on diagnosis & management schemas — ‘think of it as a progression from an undifferentiated chief complaint which becomes more clear based on the data presented.
- This conference style should also highlight life-threatening differentials, diagnostic considerations, and practical management pearls along with synthesizing data.
- Present the case as a story organized in various settings:
- Outside Hospital Course
- ED course
- PICU course
- At multiple time points in the case, consider asking questions centered around clinical reasoning:
- What is your working diagnosis based on history and physical alone?
- What differentials would you consider given the data provided?
- What is the typical illness script of this diagnosis and are there aspects which differ from the classic presentation?
- What would be your approach to big-picture management goals?
- Are there acute or emergent diagnostic or management considerations?
- Highlight branch-point decision moments (i.e. intubate or not, initial pressor choice, etc.)
- Leave 20 minutes to discuss the relevant literature on the topic at hand (incorporating management and diagnostic features of the case).
- At the end of the case presentation, loop back and give a brief course of what happened to the patient.
- Remember, real clinical cases (MRN’s from patients) have a lot of complexity — to avoid this nuance and get accross your learning points, it is alright to focus on the relevant details or alter details to make your Case Presentation on the topic more effective!
Consider organizing your differential diagnoses as well as your management frameworks into an organ systems based manner!
Case Conference Resources for Preparation
🔗 Download:
Case_Report Updated.pptx10628.4KB
- Here’s a BIG picture organization for the 20 minutes of diving deep into the topic (remember to incorporate relevant literature):
🔗 PICU Doc on Call:
🔗 ICU One Pagers:
