PICO is a mnemonic used to describe the elements of a clinical question. Once a well-structured question is formulated, you will be in a better position to search the literature.
P - Patient/Problem
Age? Sex? Race? Conditions? Primary Complaint?
What will you do for this patient? A diagnostic test? A treatment? A therapy? Medication?
Is there a control or alternative management strategy you would like to compare to the intervention or indicator?
What results do you want to see? Preventing conditions? Relieving symptoms? Decreasing discomfort?
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T - Time/Type of Study (if applicable)
What time periods should be considered? What study types are most likely to have the information you seek?
P - Smokers
I - Nicotine gum
C - counseling
O - Quit smoking
Clinical Research Question: Is nicotine gum more effective than counseling in helping smokers quit smoking?
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P - MRSA
I - Hand sanitizers
C - Handwashing
O- Reduce incidence
Clinical Research Question: Are hand sanitizers as effective as hand washing in reducing the incidence of MRSA?
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P - Children with the flu
I - Tamiflu
C - Over-the-counter medications
O - Reduce hospitalizations
T - Administered within the first 48 hours of symptoms
Clinical Research Question: Is Tamiflu more effective than over-the-counter medications in reducing childhood hospitalizations due to the flu if administered in the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms?
Use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to identify the best keywords to use in your search statement:
For more information about MeSH, view this tutorial from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.