PICO(T) is used to search for high-quality clinical research which is then used to help you develop your evidence-based nursing practice.
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
PICO(T) is a mnemonic device used to describe the necessary elements needed to formulate a good clinical research question.
P= Patient or population or problem
I= Intervention
C= Comparison of the intervention against another
O= Outcome of intervention
T= Amount of time intervention is observed
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.