The PICOT question format is a consistent "formula" for developing answerable clinical research questions. It is a systematic evidence-based practice (EBP) approach to patient care that focuses on making decisions based on current, best available research evidence. A good PICO(T) involves re-phrasing a clinical patient care issue in the form of a focused, searchable, and answerable question, which makes the rest of the process of finding and evaluating evidence much more straightforward. The elements of a PICO(T) are:
PICO(T) Element | PICO(T) Identification |
P Patient/Population/Problem |
Who is your patient or population?
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I Intervention/Variable of Interest |
What intervention can you as a nurse implement for your patient/population?
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C Comparison |
What is the alternative to your plan?
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O Outcome |
What is the outcome or optimal effect of the intervention?
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T Time |
How long would it take to reach a outcome?
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