Case Reports and Anecdotal Evidence in Medicine

Case reports continued to hold significant value in medicine despite the shift towards evidence-based practices. They played a crucial role in identifying new conditions, adverse reactions, and important disease associations. Case-based learning, embraced by American medical schools, showed superior knowledge retention. Historical examples, such as the discovery of hand hygiene by Semmelweis and the identification of hair regrowth with oral minoxidil, underscored their importance. While anecdotal evidence could be misleading, it often led to further scientific studies and controlled trials. Peer-reviewed case reports, like those in JAAD Case Reports, remained essential for practicing physicians and researchers, serving as early indicators of medical events and effective learning tools.