To provide CCJM readers — general internists and cardiologists — with brief, case-based discussion of important, timely, or difficult clinical questions, emphasizing diagnosis, testing, and treatment issues.
The style of the article should be similar to that of a CME presentation, using a minimum of jargon and highlighting key points and new developments that the internist can quickly incorporate into his or her practice.
A case-based, question and answer discussion usually beginning with the case presentation including applicable signs, symptoms, and laboratory and imaging findings. This is usually followed by a discussion of the differential diagnosis, testing options, treatment options, and a final discussion. Of course, the format can be adapted somewhat to fit the specific case. Articles should be about 2,500 words long (not counting references, tables, or figures) with about 30 key references. No abstract is required.
In discussion following each multiple-choice question, authors should not only explain why the correct answer is correct, they should briefly explain why the wrong answers are wrong. Question format should not include "all of the above" or "none of the above" options.
The case and discussion should reflect the diagnosis and treatment problems commonly encountered by internists. We are not seeking the weird or unusual, but rather common conditions or symptoms that provide diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to internists.
A 58-year-old woman with mental status changes
