How to Collect Cases During Hospital Postings
Hospital postings are where theory finally meets real patients. Whether you’re a Pharm D or MBBS student, case collection isn’t just a formality for presentation; it’s where your clinical thinking actually develops.
And the way you write a case matters.
Here’s how I personally think it should be done:
Start with the basics
Always note age, sex, weight, and occupation.
These small details influence diagnosis, drug dosing, and even risk factors more than we realise.
Don’t Skip History
Write a detailed medical history and all current medications.
This helps you connect the dots. Why this diagnosis? Any drug interactions? Any duplication? Could the complaint be drug-induced?
This is where real clinical reasoning begins.
Chief Complaints Be Descriptive
Instead of writing “Fever × 3 days,” describe onset, severity, and associated symptoms.
The more clearly you document, the better you understand the case yourself.
Track Daily Vitals (In Table Form)
| Parameter | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BP | |||
| HR | |||
| RR | |||
| Temp | |||
| SpO₂ |
Rows = parameters.
Columns = days.
This format helps you visually track trends and correlate them with treatment changes.
Lab Values — Day Wise
Make a similar table for labs.
You’ll clearly see how dose adjustments, new drugs, or disease progression affect parameters, and it even helps in identifying ADRs.
Diagnosis & Treatment Timeline
Mention the provisional and final diagnosis.
Then write treatment day-wise with start and stop dates. This helps you understand why certain drugs were added or discontinued and also can help in tracking the reasons for adverse drug reactions.
Add Your Own Clinical Notes
This is the most important part.
Ask yourself:
-
Why were these drugs chosen?
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What was the differential diagnosis?
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can also colour-code the normal and abnormal values.
That’s when a simple case sheet turns into a clinical learning tool.
At the end of the day, case collection is not about impressing faculty.
It’s about training your brain to think like a clinician.
MBH/PS