What purpose do case studies and case reports serve in nursing practice?

Case studies and case reports are valuable tools in nursing practice as they provide a starting point for further study. They offer detailed accounts of individual patients' experiences, conditions, and outcomes, which can highlight unique cases or approaches to care that may not be covered in broader research. This in-depth approach can inspire new questions, hypotheses, and investigations in nursing and healthcare, leading to improved understanding and practices.

By presenting real-world scenarios, these case studies can stimulate further research and literature, encouraging nurses and healthcare professionals to explore and investigate similar cases or to evaluate outcomes in larger populations. This intrinsic link between observation in practice and subsequent inquiry enriches the body of knowledge within the field, ultimately benefiting patient care and outcomes.