Falldarstellung

Falldarstellung is a term used in German-language professional writing to describe the narrative presentation of a specific case. It is used in fields such as medicine, dentistry, psychology and law, and serves to convey the essential facts of a case in an objective, chronological form. The aim is to provide a clear, verifiable description of what happened, without interpretation or bias.

In medical writing, the Falldarstellung is a core element of case reports and teaching materials. It typically includes the patient’s background and history (Anamnese), presenting symptoms, clinical findings (Befunde), diagnostic considerations, diagnostic steps and results, treatment given, course and outcome, and often a brief discussion of diagnostic reasoning and learning points. The description is intended to be precise and anonymized, and patient consent is standard for publication.

In legal writing, Falldarstellung refers to the factual narrative of a dispute or incident, outlining parties, events, timeline, and relevant evidence. It is used in pleadings, judgments, and educational materials to present the facts before legal analysis. Regardless of discipline, the aim is neutrality and completeness, avoiding speculative conclusions and unnecessary identifiers.

In research and teaching, Falldarstellung supports case-based learning and empirical reporting by providing a clear, structured depiction of a case that can be examined, discussed, and compared with other cases. In many German-language contexts, it is paired with a discussion or interpretation section to place the case in context and draw implications.