The Use of PICOT Format in Structuring Clinical Questions

The PICO model (see Table 1) was used to design a research question for assessing the Appraisal of Guidelines, and to develop an effective evidence-based process. Springett & Campbell (2006) have underlined the importance that to formulate a good question the four components are required. These components include an identified of population; an intervention; a comparison point and an outcome.

“PICOT is an acronym for the elements of the clinical question: patient population (P), intervention or issue of interest (I), comparison intervention or issue of interest (C), outcome(s) of interest (O), time it takes for the intervention to achieve the outcome(s) (T).” (Stillwell et al., 2010, p. 59).

In this essay I have endeavoured to show that quality, safe and effective healthcare practice is based o

To encourage physicians, ICU nurses, and respiratory therapist to use the ventilator associated pneumonia bundle in all ventilated patients in an intensive care unit.

A PICOT question is formulated in order to assist the researcher in obtaining answers to a specific question, decreases the uncertainty surrounding the issue, and provides a systematic approach to achieve an answer (Melnyk, & Fineout-Overhold, 2013). The authors find that each component of the PICOT question drives the next step of the evidence based practice process. First, a specific population must be determined by controlling the group to a certain age range or special sub-group. By compiling a specific group the clinician is more likely to formulate better evidence to support the issue. Next, an intervention is introduced and can be a therapy, test, disease process, etc. The authors conclude that, “the more specifically the intervention or issue of interest is defined, the more focused the search will be” (p.29). Then, a comparison group is added, but only necessary if completing a quantitative study. Lastly, an outcome is determined of which the study will reveal by a given time period.

Throughout this semester we were asked to chose a PICOT question and analyze another student’s information. The PICOT is an acronym standing for P- patient population, I- intervention, C- comparison intervention and current practice, O- outcome, and T- time you would like to achieve the goal (Nieswiadomy, 2012,

My PICOT question that I started in a previous unit was measured to prevent pressure ulcer in elderly in long-term care. I received many articles pertaining to my PICOT, level 1 and level 2 following the clinical question the measures or interventions on preventing pressure ulcers came to a total of approximately 10 which was too many. The measures were:

The study was a systematic review of scientific papers selected by a search of the SciELO, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and LILACS-BIREME databases. Among the 2169 articles found, 12 studies proved relevant to the issue and presented an evidence strength rating of B. No publications rated evidence strength A. Seven of the studies analyzed were prospective cohorts and 5 were cross-sectional studies.

Finding a question to research seems like such an easy task however, in order to be able to do research one must find a topic with enough clinical research available in order to be able to compare and study. When preparing to do research it is imperative to have some type of format or structure to use as a guide while preforming your search. The PICOT format is a format that is very helpful in guiding efficient clinical searches (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015).

Evidence Based practice was established to enhance the quality of patient care. An EBP has been considered as a series of mechanisms to improve the patient care as well as preventing the medical errors by clinicians. In order to optimize the patient wellbeing, today clinicians are expected to use their clinical knowledge along with use of research evidence in to the practice. Practicing EBP can enhance the clinician’s excellence in the practice (Manske & Lehecka, 2012). A quality care which is based on evidence

When Rebecca asks why the PICOT question is so important, Carlos explains that it's a consistent, systematic way to identify the components of a clinical issue. Using the PICOT format to structure the clinical question helps to clarify these components, which will guide the search for the evidence.6, 7 A well-built PICOT question increases the likelihood that the best evidence to inform practice will be found quickly and efficiently.5-8

Generally, the risk factors for delirium affecting individual ICU patients are different from patient to patient and therefore an individualized delirium prevention strategy is an ideal approach. Nevertheless, three risk factors in particular, including sedatives,

Describe the following in relation to your PICO clinical question: population, target population, sample, and inclusion/exclusion criteria.

A Descriptive research purpose was used to answer the quantitative research PICOT question. In human research, a descriptive study can provide naturally occurring health status, behavior, attitudes and other characteristics of a particular group. In descriptive studies, data is collected without interfering the environment and is also referred as observational study. Descriptive studies are conducted to examine

Quality is one of the most essential elements of healthcare. As stated by the Agency of Health Research and Quality, “Everyday, millions of Americans receive high-quality health care that helps to maintain or restore their health and ability to function” (Agency of Health Research and Quality, 2014). Improvements have become vital to the success of health care organizations and in the Healthcare Quality Book, it is explained that quality in the U.S. healthcare system is not at the standard that it should be (Ransom, Joshi, Nash & Ransom, 2008). Although this has been a reoccurring issue, attempts to fix the insufficiency have been less successful than expected.