PICOT Questions and Evidence-Based Practice

Developing PICOT Questions and Using them for Evidence-Based Practice

The question of PICOT questions and evidence-based practice is based on how it is an acronym used to formulate a clinical research question.

The acronym stands for Patient (population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICOT).

The questions are used to formulate questions in evidence-based practice and assist in framing a specific research question (Nursing: PICOT, 2022). PICOT questions are different from research questions.

The PICOT method/process is used in a clinical set up using a case scenario and questions formulated from the scenario to produce answers. It is important before answering a clinical question, to use PICOT questions to create clinical strategies and promote evidence based practice.

Understanding PICOT QUESTIONS

Nurses or clinicians have a hard time answering burning clinical questions.

A PICOT question is formulated from a scenario to help develop strategies.

The questions help establish a balanced and effective clinical strategy (Ford & Melnyk, 2019).

Formulating a PICOT question is the first step in the Evidence Based Practice process (EBP).

The PICOT acronym is;

1. P –  Patient/population:
   • It takes into account the health status and the important characteristics of the patient (the disease, age, race and sex).
2. I – Intervention:
   • The first main action plan that is being considered for the patient (medications, therapies or specific tests).
3. C – Comparison:
   • The second substitute plan considered (No treatment, different type of treatment, among others).
4. O – Outcome:
   • The estimated outcome (full health, no symptoms, or less symptoms. 
5. T – The time frame if it is applicable.

Difference Between PICOT Questions and Research Questions

1. PICOT questions are written in the past tense but Research question are written in the present tense, (Ford & Melnyk, 2019).
2. PICOT questions are used for researching the best intervention or answer for clinical situations while research questions are used for general scientific studies.

The Importance of Formulating PICOT Questions a

• Using the PICOT process has shown to improve the specification and clarity of clinical problems according to Huang, Lin and Fushman, 2006.
• Formulating a PICOT question enables clinicians to identify the best evidence that informs their question (clinical strategy), (Ford & Melnyk, 2019)
•  The format is also used to evaluate the best source to use in evidence based practice
• It can also be used to assist formulate the best concept in identifying the patient problem, the intervention, the comparison if there is any, and the outcome.
• The PICOT format is also important in developing clinical questions for quantitative systematic reviews.

Example of a PICOT question and Evidence Based Practice

A scenario is created and the PICOT process is used to formulate a clinical research question.  

Case Scenario     

     A 5-year-old with a history of asthma is brought in by his mother in the emergency room with an acute asthma attack. The mother enquires if this time, the episode could be treated with a single dosage of dexamethasone rather than a 5-day course of oral prednisolone. This is because the son has past problems taking the medication.

The PICOT method

P – 5-year-old patient with an asthma attack (exacerbation)

I – Single dosage of dexamethasone

C­- 5-day oral prednisolone

O- decrease of asthma problems like vomiting, Length of Stay in hospital (LOS) or coughing

 PICO (T) question= In a child with an asthma attack or acute asthma exacerbation, does a single dosage of dexamethasone work as well as a 5-day oral prednisolone in decreasing the LOS or asthma problems like vomiting or coughing?

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a problem solving approach that uses latest scientific literature sources in decision making for efficient care for patients, (Li, Cao, & Zhu, 2019).

Using the PICO (T) method, we are able to compare two interventions and predicted outcome. Before starting an EBP process, it is important to formulate PICOT question or questions.

This is the first and early step. The PICOT questions assists in forming a search strategy for the EBP.

For an EBP that has unbiased recommendation and systematic reviews, it is important to formulate the correct PICOT question (Ford & Melnyk, 2019) This formulation highlights the importance of PICOT Questions and Evidence-Based Practice

Conclusion

PICO (T) questions are important for clinical research.

They have proven to increase the clarity of clinical problems and formulate the best evidence that answers critical clinical questions.

PICOT questions also act as the first approach in the Evidence-Based Approach process and highlights the importance of PICOT Questions and Evidence-Based Practice

They help set the clinical strategy and produce unbiased recommendations and evidence. To formulate a PICOT question, it is important to use a case scenario by identifying the patient or population, the intervention to be used, the alternative intervention if there is any, the expected outcome(s) and the time frame if it is applicable.

The importance of PICOT Questions and Evidence-Based Practice is based on their work on clinical strategy that improves quality of care as well as patient outcome.

References

Ford, L. G., & Melnyk, B. M. (2019). The Underappreciated and Misunderstood PICOT Question: A Critical Step in the EBP Process. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. Retrieved from https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/wvn.12408#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20a%20PICOT,an%20unbiased%20and%20effective%20search.

Huang, X., Lin, J., & Fushman, D. D. (2006). Evaluation of PICO as a Knowledge Representation for Clinical Questions. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1839740/

Li, S., Cao, M., & Zhu, X. (2019). Evidence-based practice. Medicine (Baltimore). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6775415/#:~:text=EBP%20refers%20to%20using%20the,safety%20and%20improve%20patient%20outcomes.

Nursing: PICOT. (2022). Nursing: PICOT. Retrieved from Lansing Community college: https://libguides.lcc.edu/c.php?g=167860&p=6198388

Entrust your assignments to our expert writers for excellent results!

Eagle Academics prides itself in providing quality custom papers for many students around the world. We guarantee exceptional standards, and this is based on the selection of highly professional and experienced tutors and writers in different fields. Our experts can handle any work regardless of the deadline.

You must choose what you do with your time. Let our experts help you with your schoolwork while you focus on other essential things in your life. Talk to us, and we will give you the help that you need