Using PICO(T) - Health Science - Research Guide - LibGuides at William Jewell College

PICO(T) - What is a PICO(T) question?

PICO(T) is a formula used to develop a researchable clinical question.

The purpose of the PICO(T) question is to help breakdown a research question into smaller parts, making the evaluation of evidence more straightforward.

Population or patient	Who is the patient or population? (age, sex, gender, race, disease).
Intervention or indicator	What do you plan to do for your patient? (medications, diagnostic tests, therapies, procedures) What intervention is implemented to help make a difference to your patient/population?
Comparison or control	What other interventions should be considered? What can we compare our research too? Is there a control group you would like to compare your intervention with?
Outcome	What is the desired or effective outcome?
Time (optional)	What is the time frame? How long will it take to reach the outcome?

Note: Not every question will have a time frame or a comparison. Outcomes should be a measure of clinical wellbeing/quality of life.

Scenario:

A 55 year old female was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. For months she has been experiencing horrible joint inflammation and pain, especially when she gets out of bed in the morning. Her primary care provider suggests taking ibuprofen when her symptoms get worse. However, she is interested in trying an alternative therapy, like acupuncture, to aid in decreasing her symptoms. She hopes that within the next two to three months she will begin to successfully decrease her symptoms with acupuncture therapy.

Population or patient	55 year old female with osteoarthritis
Intervention or indicator	Acupuncture
Comparison or control	NSAIDS (Ibuprofen)
Outcome	Decrease in joint pain
Time	Within 2-3 months

Use these templates to help structure your PICO(T) question

Intervention/Therapy:

In ____ (P), What is the effect of ___ (I) on ____ (O) compared with_____ (C) within ___ (T)?

Example: In patients with osteoarthritis is acupuncture more effective than NSAIDS for relieving pain?

Etiology:

Are ___ (P) who have _____ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_____ (O) compared with _____ (P) with/without ______ (C) over ___ (T)?

Example: Are adults with alcoholism at an increased risk for mortality compared with adults who do not suffer from alcoholism?

Diagnosis/Test:

Are/Is ______ (I) more accurate in diagnosing ______ (P) compared with _____ (C) for _______ (O)?

Example: For diabetes is A1C testing or a fasting blood sugar test more accurate for diagnosis?

Prevention:

For _____ (P) does the use of ____ (I) reduce the future risk of ______ (O) compared with _______ (C)?

Example: For cardiovascular patients does the use of antihypertensives reduce the risk of an MI?

Prognosis:

Does _______ (I) influence _______ (O) in patients who have _____ (P) over _____ (T)?

Example: Does the use of prolonged anticoagulant therapy influence clotting factors in patients who have DVT?

Meaning:

How do ________ (P) diagnosed with _______ (I) perceive ______ (O) during _____ (T)?

Melnyk B., & Fineout-Overholt E. (2010). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.