Fallbeschreibung

Fallbeschreibung, literally “case description,” is a term used in German-language texts to refer to a structured narrative describing a single case. It serves as a concise record for teaching, documentation, and scholarly communication. Although most common in medicine as a case report, the concept also appears in legal, administrative, and social-science contexts to present the essential facts of a particular situation.

In medicine, a Fallbeschreibung typically presents the patient’s demographics, presenting complaint, relevant medical history, physical examination findings, investigations, differential diagnosis, final diagnosis, treatment, and course or outcome. It aims to highlight learning points, illustrate characteristic features, and discuss diagnostic or therapeutic considerations. Ethical requirements include obtaining informed consent when patient details are identifiable and anonymizing or omitting protected information.

In legal and policy writing, a Fallbeschreibung outlines the facts of a case, the procedural posture, key issues, relevant evidence, and outcomes or rulings. Its purpose is to document how a decision or judgment was reached and to convey the case’s significance.

Regardless of context, good Fallbeschreibung is characterized by clarity, conciseness, logical organization, and precise terminology. Typical structure follows a narrative sequence or a case outline, with a clear separation between observation and interpretation. Writers should avoid speculation, preserve confidentiality, and acknowledge uncertainties when present.

Fallbeschreibung serves as a compact, reproducible reference that supports teaching, professional reflection, and systematic documentation across disciplines.