AG-T05: Case Series — Structure, Ethics, and Clinical Pattern Reporting for Multiple Cases

A Practical Guide to Reporting 4–10 Related Cases in the Georgian Medical Journal

Abstract

The GMJ Author Toolkit (AG-T05) provides a structured, self-contained guide for the preparation and submission of Case Series in accordance with adapted CARE principles and international reporting standards. A Case Series describes multiple patients (typically 4–10) with a shared clinical feature, exposure, or outcome, enabling identification of clinically meaningful patterns.

The guide is organized into three components: (1) theoretical foundations explaining the distinction between Case Reports, Case Series, and Original Research, including ethical requirements such as patient consent and institutional review board (IRB) considerations; (2) a comprehensive pre-submission checklist covering anonymization, structured abstract format, and mandatory patient table; and (3) a complete worked example demonstrating how to present multiple cases, identify a clinical pattern, and formulate clear, transferable clinical lessons.

Particular emphasis is placed on ethical compliance, including obtaining written consent from every patient and documenting IRB approval or waiver where required. By combining practical guidance with structured reporting principles, this resource supports authors in producing clear, rigorous, and publication-ready Case Series for the Georgian Medical Journal.