Today’s topic is probably burning a hole in your brain, and that’s your ABPTS Oncology Case Report.
With the September 30 deadline fast approaching, it’s officially crunch time.
In this episode, we’re going to break down how to approach your writing strategically. We’ll discuss why jumping straight into the narrative of your case is the best way to start, how to piece together the other components from there, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can derail your progress.
Plus, I’ll share some tips on budgeting time for reviewers so you can make the necessary tweaks before the deadline hits. Whether you’re just getting started or need that final push to finish, this episode will give you the roadmap to get your case report across the finish line!
Your Case Report MUST Include These Sections
To meet the ABPTS Oncology criteria, your case report must include:
- Title
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Introduction
- Timeline of Episode of Care
- Purpose Statement
- Narrative of the Case (patient demographics, background, examination, evaluation/diagnosis, prognosis/plan of care, interventions, follow-up/outcomes)
- Discussion with Scientific References
- Conclusion/Post-Case Reflections
Writing a case report can be daunting, especially when you’re staring down a long list of required sections. It’s easy to get stuck or feel paralyzed when you try to tackle the report in order—starting with the title, then the abstract, introduction, and so on.
But here’s the secret: you don’t need to write it in the exact order it’s presented. In fact, you shouldn’t!
Instead, here’s the method I teach my Case Report Writing Workshop students ⬇️
Step-by-Step Approach to Writing Your Oncology Case Report
Start with the Narrative of the Case
The Narrative of the Case (which includes patient demographic and background info, the examination, evaluation/diagnosis, prognosis/plan of care, interventions, and follow-up/outcomes) is the BULK of your case report.
By starting with the narrative of the case section first, you’re laying the foundation for your entire report. By diving straight into this section, you’re focusing on the heart of your report: the real-world application of your clinical skills and knowledge.
Writing the narrative first has several key benefits:
- Clarifies the Case Story: The narrative is where you connect all the clinical dots. By starting here, you can clearly outline the sequence of events, patient progress, and critical decisions that were made. This clarity helps you get a firm grasp on the flow of the case, making it easier to explain and justify your clinical reasoning and actions later in the report.
- Guides Other Sections: Once the narrative is laid out, it naturally informs other sections of the report. For example, understanding the patient’s journey and the outcomes achieved will help you write a more focused introduction, a purpose statement that aligns with the case, and a discussion that’s relevant and cohesive. The narrative acts as a roadmap that guides the rest of your writing.
- Eases Writer’s Block: Many writers get stuck trying to start with the introduction or abstract, which often need to be refined later anyway. The narrative is concrete—it’s filled with specifics that are easier to write about than broad overviews or conclusions. By focusing on this detailed section first, you build momentum and avoid getting bogged down by the more abstract or interpretive parts of the report.
- Highlights Gaps Early: Writing the narrative first can also reveal any gaps in the case that you may need to address. It allows you to see if there are missing details, additional data needed, or areas that require further explanation. Identifying these issues early means you can address them proactively, rather than discovering them when you’re already deep into the report.
By focusing on the narrative of the case first, you’re not just writing the “meat and potatoes” of your report—you’re creating a clear, logical, and engaging story that will make the rest of your report flow more naturally and effectively. This approach not only streamlines your writing process but also strengthens the overall impact of your case report.
Next, tackle your Discussion and Scientific References
The discussion section is crucial because it validates your clinical decisions and interventions by linking them to scientific evidence.
It’s not enough to simply describe what you did—you need to show that your choices were grounded in research and best practices. This not only strengthens the credibility of your case report but also demonstrates your critical thinking skills and your ability to integrate evidence-based practice into patient care.
By effectively using scientific references, you can:
- Justify Your Clinical Decisions: Highlight studies or guidelines that support your chosen interventions, demonstrating that your actions were not arbitrary but based on sound scientific reasoning.
- Compare and Contrast with Literature: If your case deviates from standard practices, use the discussion to compare your approach with the literature, explaining why different strategies were necessary given the specific circumstances of your patient.
- Showcase Innovation and Unique Outcomes: If your case involved novel approaches or achieved exceptional outcomes, backing up these points with literature helps underline the significance of your findings.
Conclusion and Post-Case Reflections
After your discussion is complete, it’s most natural to then work on your Conclusion and Post-Case Reflections.
Your goal here is to tie together all the key aspects of your case, highlighting the growth, learning outcomes, or broader implications of your patient’s journey. This section is where you not only summarize the main findings but also reflect on what the case taught you as a clinician. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate your own practice and consider how the experience might influence future care.
Move to the Introduction and Purpose Statement
It may seem counterintuitive to save the Introduction and Purpose Statement for this late in the writing process, but here’s why you should:
Once your case report is nearly complete, you’ll use it to shape a focused, targeted introduction that sets the stage for your case report.
Start by providing context—why this case is important in the field of oncology physical therapy. Highlight the main problem or unique aspect of the case that makes it worth exploring. Briefly preview key elements that will be covered, creating interest and setting reader expectations.
Think of your Purpose Statement as the answer to what your readers are inevitably asking: “why the heck should I care about this?”
Your purpose statement should succinctly articulate what your case contributes to the field. Use insights from the narrative to clarify the significance—whether it’s showcasing an innovative intervention, addressing a rare condition, or challenging current practices. Clearly define the scope of your report, making it clear why your case matters.
Save the Abstract, Keywords, and Title for the very, very end
These sections are finishing touches, summarizing your entire case report. It’s way easier to write these if most of your case report is already done.
Practical Tips for Staying on Track
Create a Writing Schedule
Break down the remaining weeks into themes, so you are abundantly clear on what is most important for you to accomplish each week (e.g., Week 1: Finish narrative, Week 2: Introduction and Discussion, Week 3: Review and polish).
Set Milestones and Deadlines
To stay on track and avoid last-minute stress, it’s crucial to set your own mini-deadlines leading up to the September 30 submission date.
Break down the writing process into manageable tasks—such as completing the narrative, drafting the discussion, or gathering references—and assign each task a specific deadline.
These milestones help keep you accountable and provide a clear roadmap to follow, making the overall project feel less overwhelming. By setting and adhering to these smaller deadlines, you can steadily progress through your case report, leaving ample time for revisions, feedback from reviewers, and final adjustments before the big day.
Account for Review Time
One of the most critical steps in completing your case report is allowing ample time for review and feedback. Aim to finish your drafts early enough so that you can send them to trusted colleagues, mentors, or supervisors for their input.
Feedback from reviewers is invaluable—it can highlight areas that need clarification, correct any oversights, and strengthen the overall quality of your report.
Plan to incorporate their suggestions and make necessary adjustments well before the submission deadline. This extra time buffer ensures that your final report is polished, accurate, and ready for submission without the stress of last-minute changes.
LINE UP YOUR REVIEWER(S) NOW
You will want extra sets of eyes on your case report before you submit it. You should ask your reviewer(s) NOW so that they can determine if they can commit to this task and return your case report in time.
Your PROVEN 3-Step Framework for a Finished Case Report
If you’re ready to start (and finish!) your case report by the September 30 deadline, then you will love my FREE masterclass, The 3 Step Framework to a Finished Case Report.
Here’s what you’ll learn in the masterclass:
- THREE of the BIGGEST mistakes to avoid when writing your case report
- The SECRETS to actually finishing your case report, no matter your patient case
- My proven 3 step framework for starting (& finishing) your oncology case report
Watch the FREE masterclass today!
Ready for your Case Report to be DONE already?
Case Report Writing Workshop is our signature program designed to help you write a high-quality oncology case report that meets the rigorous standards of ABPTS.
Here’s what one of our students Alyssa has to say about Case Report Writing Workshop:
“I just completed all of the modules in the writing workshop, and WOW! Thank you so much. Writing has always been a daunting task for me, and to now see the bones of a paper after working through your course…I could cry tears of joy!
I know I’m not alone in my attitude forward writing. I feel strongly, people who share my same apprehension for writing will really benefit from this course!
Thank you in advance and once again for turning a stressful task into a not-so-dreadful adventure!”
-Alyssa C., PT
Crank out your first draft in as little as 8 hours with Case Report Writing Workshop today!
Want to watch the episode instead?
Watch this week’s episode of TheOncoPT Podcast on our YouTube channel!