The purpose of a case study is to place you in the role of decision-makers, asking you to distinguish pertinent from peripheral facts, to identify central alternatives among several issues competing for attention, and to formulate strategies and policy recommendations. The method provides an opportunity to sharpen problem-solving skills and to improve your ability to think and reason rigorously. Most patient care situations used in case studies depict real situations. In some instances, the data is disguised and some cases may be fictional. Cases are not intended to be comprehensive or exhaustive.
Most cases are a snapshot of a particular situation within a complex environment.
A case study is a learning tool. The purpose of case studies in this class is to help students to develop skill in applying the nursing process and discuss the nursing care of the individuals and families described in the cases. An objective in organizing the class around case studies is to allow students to use critical thinking strategies by participating in problem-solving and making decisions based on the information they are provided. Three case studies are assigned as homework and we will use cases in class as well. Copyright 1988 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College.