CARE Checklist Case Report Template — Free Download

The 13 CARE Checklist Items

CARE 2016 — Gagnier et al., Journal of Medical Case Reports 2013 / BMJ Case Reports 2014.

#	Item	What to include
1	Title	The words "case report" or "case series" in the title. Include the patient's main diagnosis.
2	Keywords	2–5 keywords including the diagnosis and primary intervention.
3	Abstract	Structured: Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, Conclusions. Maximum ~250 words.
4	Introduction	Why is this case unique or important? What is the educational/scientific value?
5	Patient information	Age, sex, ethnicity (if relevant), occupation, relevant past medical and surgical history.
6	Clinical findings	Physical examination findings and key observations at presentation.
7	Timeline	Table or text listing important dates and events chronologically.
8	Diagnostic assessment	Diagnostic methods used, diagnostic challenges, differential diagnoses, final diagnosis.
9	Therapeutic interventions	Types, doses, and durations of interventions. Changes in management over time.
10	Follow-up & outcomes	Outcomes at follow-up. Any adverse events and patient outcomes.
11	Discussion	Limitations, literature context, why this case matters, learning points.
12	Patient perspective	Short paragraph from the patient's perspective (can be paraphrased with consent).
13	Informed consent	Statement confirming written or verbal consent was obtained from the patient.

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Common questions about CARE case reports

Which journals require the CARE checklist?

BMJ Case Reports, Journal of Medical Case Reports, American Journal of Case Reports, Annals of Internal Medicine, and most major specialty journals require CARE checklist submission. Always check the author instructions for your target journal.

Do I need patient consent for a case report?

Yes — written informed consent is required by virtually all journals. CARE item 13 requires you to include a consent statement. Some journals accept verbal consent for anonymised cases; check your journal's policy.

How long should a CARE case report be?

Most journals accept 2,000–4,000 words for the main text, with a structured abstract under 250 words. Some journals have specific word limits — check author instructions.