Methodology-scientific evaluation of the clinical case presentation articles published in the Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2010-2015

Abstract

Introduction: The editorial board of the Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas (Havana Journal of Medical Sciences) attempts to enhance its work regarding the selection of the best cases presentations send to Publishing Committee. Objective: To evaluate the methodological a scientific issues of clinical cases presentation issued in the Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas since 2010 to 2015. Material and Methods: The authors make a documentary analysis of 50 clinical cases published in the Journal. Formal and contents aspects of the articles published were complemented with authors' criteria and others from the bibliographic references. Results: in 88% of the published articles, their structure fulfills the Editorial board´s requirement. In the 60% the subjacent problem was the uncommonness of the clinical case. In the discussion the diagnostic process was valued only in the 56% and 60% fits adjust to case´s particularity. The diagnostic strategy was deterministic in 72% of the cases reviewed and the conclusions were wrong in 48% of clinical case’s presentations. Conclusions: The methodological and scientists issues of clinical case presentations published in the Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas show a prevalence good quality. Shall be fulfilled the accomplishment of the regulations established by the publishing committee, the evidence of the impermanence of the events, the focus of the discussion about the singularity of the presented case and their value, as well as the correspondence of the conclusions with the goal of the presentation. Keywords: Cases presentation, article, scientific method, evaluation, methodological & scientific, Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas.