PICO
A well formed clinical question covers the following 4 areas identified by the acronym PICO.
- Patient or population or problem
- Intervention or exposure or prognostic factor
- Comparison (not always included)
- Outcome
Medical University of South Carolina Libraries. (2020). PICOTT. https://musc.libguides.com/ebd/PICOTT
How to Phrase Your PICO
THERAPY
In_______________, what is the effect of ________________on _______________ compared with _________________?
ETIOLOGY
Are ______________ who have _______________ at ______________ risk for/of ____________ compared with _____________ with/without ______________?
DIAGNOSIS OR DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Are (Is) ________________ more accurate in diagnosing _______________ compared with ____________?
PREVENTION
For ___________ does the use of _________________ reduce the future risk of ____________ compared with ______________?
PROGNOSIS
Does ____________ influence ______________ in patients who have _____________?
MEANING
How do _______________ diagnosed with _______________ perceive __________________?
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
