The CARE-AAT Guideline: Development and testing of a consensus-based guideline for case reports in anthroposophic art therapy

ABSTRACT

Anthroposophic art therapists (AATs) report individual cases in narratives of poor scientific quality. Good quality case reports are an important factor in the development of evidence-based practice. A guideline for scientific case reports could contribute to this. However, the recently published guideline for medical case reports (the CARE Guidelines, covering diagnosis, treatment and outcomes) is not completely suitable for AAT. This study aimed at the development of a guideline for AAT case reports. The CARE Guidelines were adjusted following the recommended steps for health reporting guidelines. The proposed adjustments are based on AAT literature and expert opinions. The face validity of the new CARE-AAT Guideline was judged by an international group of 35 AATs and 3 experts on case study methodology. Seven items of the CARE Guidelines needed specification or addition. One item (Treatment Objectives and Plan) had to be added and six items could be used without change. The face validity of the new guideline is good. The CARE-AAT Guideline is suitable for scientific case reporting of AAT practice. It is assumed to be suitable for art therapy case reporting as well. Future use of the guideline will show whether further optimisation of the guideline is needed.