> The articles usually start with a case description followed by “learning points” that include statistics, clinical observations and data from CPSP.
I can see the reason where fictional cases could be used here as teaching aid - based on real cases/ilnesses but simplified to make the learning points succinctly, but surely if the cases are being cited elsewhere someone should have raised the issue earlier?
Since it was for teaching I expect the case studies were always showing typical features of real cases, so there's nothing in the case vignette itself to give it away unless the author picks a funny name or something like that.
Rather it would be the entire form of these short highlight articles that would make you keep searching for a proper citation, unless you're lazy or pressed for time.
Wouldn't citing actual cases be a HIPAA violation? I can see why they would invent example cases, based on real ones, especially if they are fairly pedestrian cases.
I mean. Except if your pedestrian example does not reflect reality, then that is bad.
It's a privacy violation to reveal information that identifies the patient. It is not a violation (and is extremely common) to recount details without noting names, places, or even dates. Unless you already have access to a database of records you won't be able to track it down.
It's even common during talks to display diagnostic images that have had any identifying marks redacted.
HIPAA is American, not Canadian.