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Nursing 320: PICO(T) Research

 

 

What is PICO(T)?

PICO(T) is a formula used in evidence-based practice to help nurses frame a clinical question. To formulate your PICOT question, you first need to find to find your five key elements, and from those elements, you can write your research question. The five elements are:

 

  • Population/ Patient Problem: Who is your patient or population? (Disease or health status, age, race, sex) What is their problem? (symptoms, conditions, illness)
  • Intervention: What do you plan to do for the patient or population? (Specific tests, therapies, medications)
  • Comparison: What is the alternative to your plan? (ie. No treatment, different type of treatment, etc.)
  • Outcome: What outcome do you seek? (Less symptoms, no symptoms, full health, etc.)
  • Time:  What is the time frame? (This element is not always included.)

 

 

PICO(T) EXAMPLES:

What is the duration of recovery (O) for patients with total hip replacement (P) who developed a post-operative infection (I) as opposed to those who did not (C) within the first six weeks (T) of recovery?

In patients ages 65 and older (P), how does the use of an influenza vaccine (I) compare to not receiving the vaccine (C) influence their risk of developing pneumonia (O) during the flu season?

In adults over age 50 (P) is a yearly mammogram (I) compared to a mammogram every 3 years (C) more effective in detecting breast cancer(O)?

In patients with arthritis (P) does a physical therapy routine (I) help with joint inflammation (O) within six months (T) of implementing?