Case Summaries for CME

Prepare polished case summaries for CME presentations, conferences, and teaching—transform clinical cases into educational content efficiently.

Every doctor has encountered a case worth sharing—an unusual presentation, a diagnostic puzzle, a treatment success, or a learning moment from complications. Yet converting that case into a polished CME presentation or conference abstract often takes hours you do not have.

This article shows you how to use AI prompts to transform clinical cases into structured educational content—quickly, ethically, and in formats ready for CME sessions, M&M reviews, grand rounds, and conference submissions.

This builds on: Article E1: SOAP/EMR Note Drafting (documentation foundations) and Article C1: Patient Data Privacy (de-identification essentials).

What Problem This Solves

Preparing case presentations is time-consuming. A typical workflow involves:

Digging through records to extract relevant details
Anonymising patient information properly
Structuring the case for educational value
Writing learning objectives and discussion points
Formatting for the specific presentation context

For Indian doctors juggling busy OPDs, this preparation often happens late at night or gets rushed, resulting in presentations that miss key learning points.

Common pain points:

CME credit requirements from IMA and State Medical Councils need regular presentations
M&M meetings need standardised case formats for meaningful discussion
Teaching case write-ups for residents take hours to prepare
Conference abstracts have strict word limits and formatting requirements
Grand rounds need engaging narratives with clear educational takeaways

What AI prompts solve:

Convert raw case data into structured educational formats in minutes
Ensure complete de-identification before sharing
Generate learning objectives aligned with the case
Create discussion questions that stimulate critical thinking
Format content for different presentation contexts

How to Do It (Steps)

Step 1: De-identify First (Non-Negotiable)

Before entering any case details into AI, remove ALL identifying information:

Must remove:

Patient name, initials, or aliases
Exact dates (use “Day 1”, “Day 3” or “Month 1”)
Hospital name and location
Treating doctor names
Unique identifiers (MRN, Aadhaar, phone)
Specific geographic details
Rare occupations that could identify

Safe to include:

Age (consider ranges for very young/old: “elderly male” instead of “94-year-old”)
Gender
Relevant medical history
Clinical findings
Investigation results
Treatment details
Outcomes

Rule: If reading the case could allow ANYONE to identify the patient, it is not adequately de-identified.

Step 2: Choose Your Presentation Format

Different contexts need different structures:

Context	Format	Typical Length
CME session	Full case with discussion	10-15 minutes
M&M review	Problem-focused analysis	5-10 minutes
Grand rounds	Narrative with teaching points	15-20 minutes
Conference abstract	Structured abstract	250-300 words
Teaching case write-up	Complete educational case	1-2 pages

Step 3: Structure Your Prompt

Use this framework for case summary prompts:

Role: Medical educator or academic physician
Context: Presentation type and audience
Task: Transform case into educational content
Format: Specific structure for the presentation type
Constraints: Length limits, de-identification confirmation, educational focus

Step 4: Generate Supporting Elements

After the main case summary, use follow-up prompts for:

Learning objectives (3-5 per case)
Discussion questions
Key teaching points
References to guidelines (ask AI to suggest, then verify)

Step 5: Review and Verify

Always check:

Complete de-identification (read as if you were the patient’s relative)
Clinical accuracy (AI may misinterpret medical details)
Educational value (does it teach what you intended?)
Appropriate attribution (no plagiarism of published cases)

Example Prompts

Example 1: CME Case Presentation

Role: You are a medical educator preparing a case presentation for a CME session.

Context: I am presenting at a district-level CME organised by the local IMA chapter. Audience is general practitioners and family physicians. The case is about delayed diagnosis of a common condition presenting atypically.

Case Details (de-identified):
- Middle-aged female, no significant past history
- Presented with: 3 weeks of fatigue and mild ankle swelling
- Initial workup: normal CBC, mildly elevated creatinine
- Missed finding: subtle signs of hypothyroidism
- Final diagnosis: severe hypothyroidism with myxedema
- Outcome: full recovery with replacement therapy

Task: Create a structured CME case presentation with educational focus on recognising atypical presentations in primary care.

Format:
1. Case Presentation (chronological, with pause points for audience questions)
2. Differential Diagnosis Discussion
3. Key Learning Points (3-5 points)
4. Take-Home Messages for GPs
5. Suggested Discussion Questions

Constraints:
- 10-minute presentation length
- Focus on primary care perspective
- Include "what would you do at this point?" prompts
- No identifying information
- Practical, India-relevant approach

Example 2: M&M Review Case

Role: You are a clinical quality consultant helping structure an M&M (Morbidity and Mortality) case review.

Context: This is for our hospital's monthly M&M meeting. The focus is on system improvement, not individual blame. Audience includes residents, consultants, and nursing staff.

Case Details (de-identified):
- Elderly male, diabetic, post-operative day 2 after hernia repair
- Developed chest pain, initially attributed to surgical site discomfort
- ECG done after 4-hour delay showed STEMI
- Transferred to cardiology, underwent PCI
- Outcome: survived but with reduced cardiac function

Task: Structure this as an M&M case focusing on system factors and improvement opportunities.

Format:
1. Brief Case Summary (facts only, no judgment)
2. Timeline of Events (with decision points highlighted)
3. Contributing Factors (system, process, communication)
4. What Went Well
5. Opportunities for Improvement
6. Recommended Actions
7. Discussion Questions for the Team

Constraints:
- Non-punitive tone throughout
- Focus on systems, not individuals
- Constructive improvement focus
- Under 500 words for the written summary

Example 3: Conference Abstract

Role: You are an academic medicine writing assistant.

Context: I am submitting an abstract to a national medicine conference. The abstract category is "Interesting Case Report." Word limit is 300 words.

Case Details (de-identified):
- Young adult male, previously healthy
- Presented with: acute abdomen, fever, elevated inflammatory markers
- Initial diagnosis: acute appendicitis
- Surgery revealed: Meckel's diverticulum with perforation
- Histopathology: incidental finding of carcinoid tumour
- Follow-up: oncology evaluation, no metastasis, surveillance plan

Task: Write a conference abstract following standard structure.

Format:
1. Title (under 15 words)
2. Introduction (why this case is worth reporting)
3. Case Description (key clinical details)
4. Discussion (what makes this unique/educational)
5. Conclusion (take-home message)

Constraints:
- Exactly 250-300 words
- Academic but accessible language
- Highlight the educational value
- No patient identifiers
- Suitable for publication in conference proceedings

Example 4: Grand Rounds Narrative

Role: You are a senior physician preparing a grand rounds presentation with strong educational narrative.

Context: Monthly grand rounds at a teaching hospital. Audience is mixed: medical students, residents, and consultants across specialties. The goal is both education and engagement.

Case Details (de-identified):
- Middle-aged male, known hypertensive
- Progressive dyspnoea over 2 months
- Multiple outpatient visits, treated as respiratory infection
- Finally diagnosed: severe aortic stenosis
- Underwent valve replacement
- Currently doing well at 6-month follow-up

Task: Create a grand rounds case with engaging narrative structure.

Format:
1. Opening Hook (why this case matters)
2. The Diagnostic Journey (presented as a story with clinical reasoning)
3. Pause Points for Audience Interaction
4. The Diagnosis Reveal
5. Management Discussion
6. Broader Teaching Points
7. "What I Learned" Reflection
8. Questions for Discussion

Constraints:
- 15-minute presentation
- Engaging storytelling approach
- Clear teaching objectives
- Audience interaction points marked
- Suitable for mixed-level audience

Example 5: Teaching Case Write-Up

Role: You are a medical educator creating a teaching case for resident training.

Context: This case will be used for small group teaching with internal medicine residents. Focus is on clinical reasoning and evidence-based management.

Case Details (de-identified):
[INSERT YOUR DE-IDENTIFIED CASE DETAILS]

Task: Create a comprehensive teaching case document.

Format:
1. Learning Objectives (3-5, specific and measurable)
2. Case Presentation (with natural "stop points")
3. Questions at Each Stop Point
4. Expected Answers/Discussion Guide
5. Key Teaching Points
6. Common Pitfalls to Discuss
7. Relevant Guidelines/Evidence Summary
8. Self-Assessment Questions (3-5 MCQs)

Constraints:
- Suitable for 45-minute small group session
- Include facilitator notes
- Evidence-based teaching points
- Emphasise clinical reasoning process
- India-relevant management approach

Bad Prompt to Improved Prompt

Bad Prompt

Write a case presentation about my diabetic patient Mr. Sharma who came to my clinic in Mumbai last month with foot infection and needed amputation.

What is wrong:

Contains patient name (Mr. Sharma)
Contains location (Mumbai)
Contains time reference (last month)
No specified format or educational focus
No role or context for the AI
No constraints on length or style

Improved Prompt

Role: You are a medical educator preparing a CME case presentation on diabetic foot complications.

Context: Presentation for a diabetes CME session organised by the local diabetology association. Audience is general physicians and diabetologists. Focus is on prevention and early recognition.

Case Details (de-identified):
- Middle-aged male with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes (10+ years)
- Presented with: 2-week history of foot wound, initially self-treated
- Examination: Wagner Grade 3 ulcer with cellulitis
- Complications: osteomyelitis confirmed on MRI
- Outcome: required ray amputation, currently rehabilitating

Task: Create a case presentation emphasising preventable factors and early warning signs that GPs should recognise.

Format:
1. Case Presentation
2. Risk Factors Present
3. Missed Opportunities for Earlier Intervention
4. Current Guidelines for Diabetic Foot Screening
5. Practical Screening Tips for Busy OPDs
6. Key Messages for Prevention
7. Discussion Questions

Constraints:
- 12-minute presentation
- Emphasis on prevention, not just treatment
- Practical, implementable screening advice
- No patient identifiers
- Include one "myth vs fact" about diabetic foot

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why It Fails	How to Fix
Incomplete de-identification	Violates patient privacy, unethical	Use de-identification checklist before every prompt
No educational focus specified	Gets a case summary, not a teaching case	Clearly state learning objectives and audience
Generic format request	Output may not fit your presentation context	Specify exact format (CME, M&M, abstract, etc.)
Forgetting the audience	Content pitched at wrong level	State audience clearly (GPs, residents, students)
No discussion questions	Misses interactive teaching opportunity	Always request 3-5 discussion questions
Copying AI output verbatim	May contain errors or inappropriate content	Review, verify clinical facts, personalise
Including recent dates	Potentially identifying	Use relative time (Day 1, Week 2, Month 3)
Rare conditions with location	Highly identifying combination	Consider if location is necessary; often it is not

Clinic-Ready Templates

Template 1: Quick CME Case Structure

ROLE: Act as a medical educator preparing a CME presentation.

CONTEXT:
- Presentation type: [CME/Grand Rounds/M&M/Conference]
- Audience: [GPs/Specialists/Residents/Mixed]
- Time allocated: [X minutes]
- Educational focus: [Main teaching point]

CASE DETAILS (de-identified):
- Patient: [Age range, gender, relevant background]
- Presentation: [Chief complaint, duration]
- Key findings: [Examination, investigations]
- Diagnosis: [Final diagnosis]
- Management: [Treatment given]
- Outcome: [Result, follow-up status]

TASK: Create a structured educational case presentation.

FORMAT:
1. Case Presentation
2. Learning Objectives (3-5)
3. Key Teaching Points
4. Discussion Questions (3-5)
5. Take-Home Messages

CONSTRAINTS:
- Length appropriate for [X] minutes
- Audience-appropriate language
- Focus on [specific educational goal]
- Ensure complete de-identification
- Include practical, India-relevant points

Template 2: M&M Case Framework

ROLE: Act as a patient safety and quality improvement specialist.

CONTEXT: Monthly M&M meeting at [type of hospital]. Non-punitive, improvement-focused culture.

CASE DETAILS (de-identified):
- Patient: [Age, gender, comorbidities]
- Presenting problem: [Brief description]
- Timeline: [Key events with relative timing]
- Outcome: [Morbidity/mortality details]

TASK: Structure this case for constructive M&M review.

FORMAT:
1. Case Summary (neutral, factual)
2. Timeline with Decision Points
3. System Factors Analysis
4. Contributing Factors (use categories):
   - Communication
   - Process/Protocol
   - Equipment/Resources
   - Training/Competency
   - Patient Factors
5. What Went Well
6. Improvement Opportunities
7. Recommended Actions (specific, actionable)
8. Discussion Questions

CONSTRAINTS:
- Non-judgmental language throughout
- Focus on systems, not individuals
- Constructive tone
- Specific, implementable recommendations

Template 3: Conference Abstract Generator

ROLE: Act as an academic medical writer.

CONTEXT: Abstract submission for [conference name/type]. Category: [case report/original research/review]. Word limit: [X words].

CASE DETAILS (de-identified):
[Insert case details]

TASK: Write a conference abstract following standard academic structure.

FORMAT:
- Title: [Under 15 words, informative]
- Background/Introduction: [Why this case matters]
- Case Presentation: [Key clinical details]
- Discussion: [Unique aspects, educational value]
- Conclusion: [Take-home message]

CONSTRAINTS:
- Exactly [X] words (strict limit)
- Academic language, accessible to general medical audience
- Highlight novelty or educational significance
- No patient identifiers
- Suitable for publication

Safety Note

Critical Privacy Reminders:

De-identification is mandatory. Never enter identifiable patient information into any AI tool. This is both an ethical obligation and a legal requirement under Indian medical ethics guidelines.
Review for re-identification risk. Even de-identified cases can sometimes be identified through unique combinations (rare disease + specific location + unusual occupation). Read your case as if you were the patient’s family member—could they recognise it?
Institutional cases need permission. If presenting a case from your hospital, follow institutional protocols. Some hospitals require ethics committee clearance even for anonymised case presentations.
Published cases have different rules. If submitting to a journal, patient consent may be required even with de-identification. Check journal guidelines.
AI can hallucinate. AI may add clinical details you did not provide or misstate facts. Always verify every clinical statement before presenting.
Ethical attribution. If the case has been published elsewhere or presented by another team, appropriate attribution is required. Do not present others’ cases as your own.

IMA and Medical Council Context:

CME credits from IMA require documented educational activities
State Medical Councils may have specific requirements for CME presentations
Maintaining a log of cases presented (de-identified summaries) is good practice for CME credit documentation

Copy-Paste Prompts

Prompt 1: CME Case Presentation

Role: Act as a medical educator preparing a CME case presentation.

Context: [IMA chapter meeting / Hospital CME / Specialty conference]. Audience is [GPs / specialists / mixed]. Time: [X] minutes.

Case Details (fully de-identified):
- Patient: [AGE-RANGE] [GENDER] with [RELEVANT BACKGROUND]
- Presentation: [CHIEF COMPLAINT AND DURATION]
- Key findings: [CLINICAL FINDINGS]
- Investigations: [RELEVANT RESULTS]
- Diagnosis: [FINAL DIAGNOSIS]
- Management: [TREATMENT]
- Outcome: [RESULT]

Task: Create a structured CME presentation with clear educational value.

Format:
1. Case Presentation (with pause points for questions)
2. Learning Objectives (3-5)
3. Differential Diagnosis Discussion
4. Key Teaching Points
5. Take-Home Messages
6. Discussion Questions (3-5)

Constraints:
- [X]-minute presentation length
- Practical focus for [AUDIENCE TYPE]
- India-relevant management approach
- Complete de-identification maintained
- Include "what would you do?" interaction points

Prompt 2: M&M Review Format

Role: Act as a patient safety specialist structuring an M&M case.

Context: Hospital M&M meeting. Focus: system improvement, not blame.

Case Timeline (de-identified):
- Day 0: [PRESENTATION]
- Day X: [KEY EVENTS]
- Outcome: [MORBIDITY/MORTALITY]

Task: Structure for constructive M&M discussion.

Format:
1. Factual Case Summary
2. Timeline with Decision Points
3. System Factors (communication, process, resources)
4. Improvement Opportunities
5. Recommended Actions
6. Discussion Questions

Constraints:
- Non-judgmental tone
- Focus on systems, not individuals
- Specific, actionable recommendations
- Under 400 words

Prompt 3: Conference Abstract

Role: Act as an academic medical writer.

Context: Abstract for [CONFERENCE TYPE]. Word limit: [250-300] words.

Case Summary (de-identified):
[ENTER YOUR CASE DETAILS]

Task: Write a structured conference abstract.

Format:
Title | Introduction | Case | Discussion | Conclusion

Constraints:
- Strict word limit: [X] words
- Academic but accessible language
- Highlight educational significance
- No identifiers
- Publication-ready quality

Prompt 4: Teaching Case with Questions

Role: Act as a clinical educator creating a teaching case.

Context: Small group teaching for [RESIDENTS/STUDENTS]. [X]-minute session.

Case Details (de-identified):
[ENTER YOUR CASE DETAILS]

Task: Create a complete teaching case document.

Format:
1. Learning Objectives (3)
2. Case Presentation (with stop points)
3. Questions at Each Stop
4. Discussion Guide
5. Key Teaching Points
6. MCQs for Self-Assessment (3)

Constraints:
- [X] minutes session length
- Emphasise clinical reasoning
- Include facilitator notes
- India-relevant approach

Prompt 5: Learning Objectives Generator

Role: Act as a medical education specialist.

Context: I need learning objectives for a case presentation on [TOPIC/CONDITION].

Case Focus:
- Main teaching point: [PRIMARY LESSON]
- Secondary points: [ADDITIONAL LESSONS]
- Audience: [TARGET LEARNERS]

Task: Generate specific, measurable learning objectives.

Format:
- 3-5 learning objectives
- Use action verbs (identify, differentiate, apply, evaluate)
- Include cognitive level (knowledge, application, analysis)

Constraints:
- Specific and measurable
- Achievable in [X]-minute presentation
- Aligned with [CME/residency/student] requirements
- Practical clinical relevance

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Do de-identify completely before entering any case into AI
Do specify your presentation format and audience clearly
Do include learning objectives in your request
Do request discussion questions for interactive sessions
Do verify all clinical facts in AI-generated content
Do adapt AI output to your presentation style
Do maintain a personal case log (de-identified) for CME documentation
Do credit sources if building on published cases
Do get institutional clearance if required by your hospital
Do consider the educational value before deciding to present a case

Don’ts

Don’t ever include patient names, dates, or identifiers in prompts
Don’t assume AI-generated content is clinically accurate—verify everything
Don’t present cases that could embarrass colleagues without proper M&M framework
Don’t use AI output without personalising it to your teaching style
Don’t skip the de-identification review step, even if you think you removed everything
Don’t include rare disease + location + demographics together (re-identification risk)
Don’t forget to check your institution’s policies on case presentations
Don’t present another doctor’s case without appropriate attribution
Don’t use dramatic or sensational language in M&M cases
Don’t rush the review process—errors in presentations damage credibility

1-Minute Takeaway

AI can transform your clinical cases into polished educational presentations in minutes—but only if you do it right.

The Three Non-Negotiables:

De-identify completely — Remove names, dates, locations, and unique identifiers before any AI interaction
Specify the format — CME, M&M, abstract, grand rounds each need different structures
Verify everything — AI output needs your clinical review before presenting

Quick Formula:

De-identified case details
+ Presentation type and audience
+ Educational focus
+ Format requirements
= Ready-to-use case presentation

Remember: The case teaches best when the presenter knows it deeply. Use AI to handle structure and formatting—but bring your clinical insight, the “aha” moments, and the lessons only experience can provide.

Your cases contain valuable teaching moments. With proper de-identification and good prompts, you can share them more often, more effectively, and with much less preparation time.

Next article: F1 — Creating Patient Leaflets Fast (English + Indian Languages)