Process / pipelineClinical / epidemiology
Retrospective Case Series — Chart-Based Descriptive Study
A retrospective case series is an observational study that systematically describes the clinical features, treatments, and outcomes of a defined group of patients by examining pre-existing medical records or administrative data. It looks backward in time — data have already been recorded before the study begins. With no control group, no randomization, and no prospective follow-up, it sits near the base of the evidence hierarchy but remains one of the most practical and frequently published study designs in clinical medicine.
Open in MethodMindSoonVideoSoon
Read the full method
Members only
Sign inSign in with a free account to read this section.
Sources
- Kooistra, B., Dijkman, B., Einhorn, T. A., & Bhandari, M. (2009). How to design a good case series. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 91(Suppl 3), 21–26. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.H.01573 ↗
- Mayer, D. (2010). Essential Evidence-Based Medicine (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. Chapter on study designs. ISBN: 9780521712415