- EBP Implementation Models
- Nursing Theories
- Research Databases
- Search Strategies
- Access Full-Text Articles
- Critical Appraisal and Levels of Evidence
- Evidence Synthesis
- Creating a Conference Poster
- Scholarly Writing
- Creating Tables & Figures
- APA 7th Edition Style & Formatting
- Submitting Your DNP Project to the Sigma Repository
PICO(T) Resources for Getting Started
This video demonstrates how to perform a database search for evidence to support a PICOT question using the CINAHL database as an example
This worksheet can be used to brainstorm keywords and search terms, and craft your search strategy PICO search strategy handout from EBSCOhostWhat is a PICO(T) Question?
Asking questions is at the heart of evidence-based practice.
If nurses never asked questions about how to improve patient care based on scientific research evidence, then no beneficial changes or advancements in nursing practice would occur. Cultivating a spirit of inquiry is essential for evidence-based practice implementation.
The PICO(T) model is used widely in evidence-based practice to construct a focused, well-built, and searchable clinical question. This page provides you with the following content to guide you in developing a PICO(T) question of your own:
- PICO(T) Question Templates
- Ideas for Your PICO(T) Question
- Tips for Building a PICO(T) Question
- Example: PICO(T) Question and Search Strategy
PICO(T) Question Templates
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a systematic approach to patient care decision-making based on current, best available research evidence.
The first step in EBP involves re-phrasing a clinical patient care issue in the form of a focused, searchable, and answerable question.
PICO(T) is a basic template for creating a well-built clinical question for evidence-based inquiry.
I - Intervention/Variable of Interest
C - Comparison (can be "standard care" or "usual care", or the opposite of I - "no meditation," "no exposure to smoke", etc.)
In _____ (P), what is the effect of _____ (I), compared with _____ (C), on _____ (O) within _____ (T)?
There are several templates for developing a PICO(T) question, depending on the nature of your clinical problem.
Ideas for Your PICO(T) Question
Identifying a clinical problem that can be translated into a PICO(T) question takes some brainstorming, research, and planning.
The following recommendations can help in triggering ideas for your PICO(T) question:
Problem-Focused or Practice-Focused Triggers:
- Patient cases you have encountered
- Clinical scenarios you have observed
- Quality improvement data
- Other internal data specific to your organization
Knowledge-Focused Triggers:
- Conduct a search of the research literature to identify problems or practice recommendations
- Identify interventions that have been proven effective by previous studies
- Clinical practice guidelines recommendations
Titler, M. G., Kleiber, C., Steelman, V. J., Rakel, B. A., Budreau, G., Everett, L. Q., et al. (2001). The Iowa model of evidence-based practice to promote quality care. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 13(4), 497-509.
Need some inspiration for PICO(T) questions?
Helpful web resources for PICO(T) question ideas can be accessed below:
This site provides examples by patient care setting under the "PICO Question Examples" sectionExplore this database of EBP projects completed by clinicians. Many of these projects include good examples of PICOT questions.
Access and read the full-text of UToledo DNP students' EBP projects. The PICOT questions utilized in these projects may provide you with inspiration and ideas for your own PICOT.
Access and read the full-text of OSU DNP students' EBP projects. The PICOT questions utilized in these projects may provide you with inspiration and ideas for your own PICOT.
Tips for Building a PICO(T) Question
P
Patient/Population/Problem
Who is your patient or population?
Consider the following:
- Age group
- Gender
- Race
- Healthcare setting
What is your patient/population's problem?
Consider the following:
- Condition or illness
- Disease process
- Diagnosis
- Life situation
- Nursing diagnosis
- Symptoms
- Self-care deficits
I
Intervention/Variable of Interest
What intervention can you as a nurse implement for your patient/population?
Consider the following:
- Nursing interventions
- Therapies
- Alternative/complementary/holistic therapies
- Medication administration/management
- Pharmacologic interventions
- Non-pharmacologic interventions
- Procedures
- Patient education techniques
C
Comparison
What is your comparative intervention or your control?
Most commonly, the comparison is standard care or usual care. If your comparison is something specific other than standard/usual care, include the name of the specific intervention here.
O
Outcome(s)
What is the desired outcome or optimal effect of the intervention?
Consider the following:
- Improvement of [fill in the blank]
- Prevention/prophylaxis of [fill in the blank]
- Reduction in [fill in the blank]
- Decreased rate of [fill in the blank]
- Patient outcomes
- Quality of life
- Patient safety
- Satisfaction
- Knowledge
T
Time
How long would it take to reach a desired outcome? Or, what is the time frame of your patient scenario?
Consider the following:
- Within [fill in the blank] weeks/months/year(s)
- Preoperative/perioperative/postoperative period
- Hospital length of stay
- Patient's lifespan
- Patient's treatment duration
- Recovery period
- These are only examples. The timeframe can be very specific or very broad.
