Reading

Schmidt & Brown (2021). Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses:

• Chapter 4.3: Formulating EBP Questions

Objective

• Describe the PICOT method

PICOT Model

• = A model in EBP used to formulate EBP questions; the mnemonic stands for patient population, intervention of interest, comparison of interest, outcome of interest, and time frame used to formulate EBP

• P = Patient population or patient condition of interest

  • Needs to be carefully delineated so that the search for evidence yields relevant information and prevents retrieval of too broad or off-target information

  • Important to keep in mind that findings may not be generalizable to a specific patient

• I = Intervention of interest

  • Requires similar delineation to yield focused, relevant information

  • When conducting a literature search, consider the main intervention or treatment, diagnostic test, procedure, or exposure

  • Consider any factors that may influence the prognosis, such as age, gender, ethnicity, coexisting conditions, and exposures to risk factors, such as cigarette smoke, asbestos, or other toxins

• C = Comparison of interest

  • The intervention of interest can also be compared to the standard of care

  • A comparison with another intervention or treatment

  • Best to select the main alternative to the proposed intervention

• O = Outcome of interest

  • The desired accomplishment, measurement, or improvement as a result of the selected intervention or treatment approach

  • Important to identify clear outcome measures to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention with the identified comparison

  • Specifying the desired outcome measures further refines the literature search

• T = Time

  • This element is not always included

  • Timing, duration, or date of publication

• Examples of PICOT Questions

  • Resources by Southern Illinois University

• Health Sciences Library at the University of Washington

• The library guide by the School of Nursing at the Oregon Health & Science University

• The American Association of Ambulatory Care Nurses (template, see below)