PICO(T) is a question formula that allows you to define your research question and determine the key components of your research. It allows you to develop focused relevant questions.
PICO(T) stands for:
P - Patient, Population or Problem
I - Intervention or Indicator
C - Comparison or Outcome
O - Outcome
(T) - Time, Type of Study, or Type of Question (This is optional, depending on your research question)
The Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM) states that "one of the fundamental skills required for practising EBM is the asking of well-built clinical questions. To benefit patients and clinicians, such questions need to be both directly relevant to patients' problems and phrased in ways that direct your search to relevant and precise answers" PICO model assists you in organizing and developing your question to be able to search our databases effectively.
Binghamton University Libraries. (2017, August 9). PICO: A model for evidence based research [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/IHVO4FC2_Is
Patient or population or problem = What individual or group are you interested in studying?
Intervention = What is the action (intervention, treatment) are you considering taking?
Comparison = To what other action (intervention, treatment) are you comparing the considered action?
O = What do you anticipate as an outcome?
Example of a completed PICO question:
In post-operative patients, how does the use of aromatherapy compared to pharmacologic methods reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting?
| PICO Elements | Keywords |
|---|---|
| P (Patient or Population or Problem) | Post-Operative Patients |
| I (Intervention) | Aromatherapy |
| C (Comparison) | Pharmacologic methods |
| O (Outcome) | Reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting |
Once you have your PICO question, you can then use it to help you develop search terms to use when you go into the databases to find relevant articles.
| PICO Elements | Keywords | Search Terms | Search Strategies |
|---|---|---|---|
| P (Patient or Population) | Post-operative patients | post-operative |
postoperative OR surgery OR recovery |
| I (Intervention) | Aromatherapy | aromatherapy |
aromatherapy OR essential oils |
| C (Comparison) | Pharmacologic methods | ||
| O (Outcome) | Reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting | postoperative nausea |
postoperative nausea OR nausea OR vomiting OR postoperative nausea |
Adapted from Jensen, K. A. (n.d.). 7 steps to the perfect PICO search [White paper]. EBSCO Health. https://www.ebsco.com/sites/g/files/nabnos191/files/acquiadam-assets/7-Steps-to-the-Perfect-PICO-Search-White-Paper_0.pdf
In this video, we go over what it means to do a keyword search and a subject heading search and why you should incorporate a subject heading search when you are looking for articles on your intervention.