How to write up a…

The writing of a case study, which captures the passage of a patient through a particular part of their health care journey, is not a routine part of the dental nurses daily practice. The majority of dental notes are summarised computerised records detailing dental checks, X-rays, dental treatments, medications, allergies and finance details, which are normally completed by the dentist. When, how and why is it then important for the dental nurse to capture the wider picture of a patient's journey and interactions with the dental services and wider health care services.

Whilst working as a community psychiatric nurse 36 years ago, I published my first article (Fowler 1981) on a lady called Betty. Although I only spent about 30 minutes a week visiting Betty, primarily to monitor her mood and general mental health, I decided to focus on her for a case study that I had to write and present to colleagues as part of a developmental programme. The case study chronicled the journey Betty had over a number of years as she ‘battled’ with a long-term mood disorder. Undertaking the case study made me read Betty's medical history covering several volumes of clinical folders. I researched mood disorders and medical and nursing treatments, I spent time talking to Betty and finding out about her various interactions with the health service and I spent time thinking and reflecting on the care that Betty had and was currently receiving. Even though that was 36 years ago, the knowledge I gained about the illness and people's reaction to it has remained as a core part of my understanding of mental illness and patient care. Case studies are therefore an important way of helping nurses and other health care staff learn, not just about types of illness, but about holistic care and patients' experiences. Case studies are stories about people and everyone – especially those of us who are people-centred – learn so much from stories.