examples of pico research paper in nursing

• UNC Libraries
• HSL Subject Research
• Forming Focused Questions with PICO
• PICO Examples

Forming Focused Questions with PICO: PICO Examples

Created by health science librarians.

• PICO's Limitations

Practice Your Skills

Cancer care and peer support, cultural awareness and nursing care, labor & delivery, infection control, nurse educator, nurse practitioner, public health, school nursing.

• Other Question Frameworks

Practice writing out PICO components and then forming a focused question about one of the case studies below. Choose one or several that interest you.

You have read that peer support interventions help individuals and families affected by cancer across the care continuum from prevention through survivorship and end-of-life care. You wonder about the characteristics of peer support programs and how peer support programs have been used to reduce disparities and barriers to care.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for cancer care.

Nurses in oncology units interact frequently with adults with cancer who do not speak English as their primary language. You are curious whether cultural awareness among nurses improves these patients’ care and participation in the decision-making process.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for nursing care.

You’re a new nurse on a labor and delivery unit. You’ve noticed that most women give birth in the lithotomy position at the encouragement of their doctors. However, you’re sure you heard in nursing school that other positions are less likely to lead to deliveries with forceps or a vacuum.. or did you? You want to find some literature to back up your claim.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for labor and delivery.

You work in the Big City Hospital ICU. Your mechanically ventilated patients sometimes contract nosocomial pneumonia, which leads to costly complications. You want to know if raising the head of the bed lowers the chance of the patient contracting pneumonia compared to letting the patient lie flat on their back.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for the ICU..

In the past few years, your hospital has installed antibacterial foam dispensers on all the nursing units. You’ve had nurses asking you if the foam is just as effective as washing their hands with water and soap.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for infection control.

Shift change on your busy med-surg unit can be frustrating for you and your coworkers. Report at the nursing station takes up to 30 minutes, by the end of which you’re anxious to see your patients. You read something in a recent ANA newsletter about other hospitals switching to a bedside shift report, and you want to find out if staff liked that style of shift change better.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario in med-surg.

Open to check your pico analysis of the scenario in the nicu..

It’s the last semester of your BSN students’ time in school and they’re excited.. and anxious! They’ve been asking you if they should take the NCLEX right after they graduate or wait for a while after graduation so they can relax and study.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for nurse educators.

It’s winter at your family practice, and you have a lot of patients coming in with runny noses and general malaise. Brenda, a 35 year old working mother in for a checkup states, "I’m so busy between work and home that I definitely don’t have time to get sick! Can those vitamin C or zinc pills prevent colds?"

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for nurse practitioners.

The main concern for most of your patients coming out of anesthesia in your PACU is pain. You want to explore nursing interventions you can use on top of medication administration to decrease pain. One coworker mentions trying to make the PACU feel less clinical by playing soft music to relax patients.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for PACU.

You work in a pediatrician’s office and give patients their routine vaccinations. The younger children are often fearful of needles, and some of the staff use toys to distract the patients. You want to know if this technique actually has an effect on the children's pain response.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for pediatrics.

You work on an inpatient psychiatric unit. One of your patients with chronic schizophrenia, Joe, normally mumbles to himself, but will occasionally speak to others when residents play games together. Noticing this, you say to a coworker that maybe social skills group training sessions would bring out Joe’s conversational skills. Your coworker shakes her head and says "I don’t think so. Joe is in and out of this hospital, he’s a lost cause."

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for psychiatry.

You coordinate health education programs and have been holding seminars for teenagers about STI prevention. You’ve been found that they’re hesitant to open up to you during classes to ask you questions. You’re wondering if recruiting peer educators closer to their age will encourage them to actively participate and get more satisfaction out of the classes.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for public health.

On your pulmonary unit, many of your COPD patients receive injections of heparin to prevent pulmonary emboli, and patients find the bruises associated with heparin injections unsightly. You’ve had nursing students shadowing you lately, so you’ve been particularly concerned with injection technique. You want to find out if the duration of injection has any effect on the extent of bruising.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for pulmonary.

You’re a school nurse and one aspect of your job is counseling pregnant teens with the aim of enabling them to complete high school. You’ve even been conducting home visits on top of your normal in-school meetings as part of their preparation-for-motherhood counseling. You want sources to backup the effectiveness of these home visits.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for school nursing.

A diabetic patient from a nursing home has recently been admitted with a stage III pressure ulcers on his heels. The unit nurses have called you in for a wound consult. You have to choose between standard moist wound therapy and using a wound vac.

Open to check your PICO analysis of the scenario for wound care.

• << Previous: Case Study
• Next: Other Question Frameworks >>
• Last Updated: May 14, 2024 12:49 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/pico

Discover DNP

134 nursing picot question examples: formulating a pico (t) question for nursing research and evidence based practice.

What you'll Learn

Nursing PICOT Question Examples

Formulating a PICO (T) question

PICO is a popular mnemonic in nursing. P stands for Patient/Problem, I for Intervention, C for Comparison, and O for Outcome. PICOT is used by nursing students to generate answers to seemingly vague questions. Nursing PICOT question examples such as “How effective is handwashing in reducing infections?” can be broken down in the following manner:

• What Population is this question referring to? Is it adults, adolescents, or children?
• The Intervention is handwashing
• Comparison – Are there other methods that can reduce infections other than handwashing?
• Outcome – the intended outcome in this scenario is reduced infections.

PICO Framework in Nursing Practice

The PICO framework is an essential tool in evidence-based nursing practice. It helps nurses formulate clear, focused clinical questions that can be answered through research. Let’s break down each component:

• P (Population/Patient/Problem): Describes the patient or group of patients with a particular condition or characteristic.
• I (Intervention): Refers to the treatment, procedure, or action being considered.
• C (Comparison): The alternative to the intervention, which could be another treatment or no treatment at all.
• O (Outcome): The desired result or effect of the intervention.
• T (Time): The duration over which the outcome is measured (optional, but often included).

How Do You Create a Nursing PICOT Question for Nursing Research?

Creating a PICOT question is a systematic process that involves careful consideration of each component. Here’s a step-by-step guide to developing an effective PICOT question:

• Identify the clinical problem or issue: Start by recognizing a clinical problem or uncertainty in your nursing practice. This could be related to patient care, treatment efficacy, or nursing interventions.
• Determine the population (P): Specify the patient group you’re interested in. Consider factors such as age, gender, medical condition, or setting.
• Define the intervention (I): Identify the specific treatment, procedure, or action you want to investigate. This could be a new medication, a nursing intervention, or a change in practice.
• Establish the comparison (C): Determine what you’ll compare the intervention to. This might be the current standard of care, an alternative treatment, or no intervention at all.
• Specify the outcome (O): Clearly state the desired outcome or effect you’re looking to achieve or measure. This should be specific and measurable.
• Consider the time frame (T): If relevant, include the duration over which the outcome will be measured or observed.
• Formulate the question: Combine all elements into a clear, concise question using the PICOT format.
• Refine and revise: Review your question to ensure it’s focused, answerable, and relevant to your nursing practice.

Example: Let’s say you’re interested in reducing falls in elderly patients. Your PICOT question might look like this:

“In elderly patients in long-term care facilities (P), how does implementing a daily exercise program (I) compared to standard care (C) affect the incidence of falls (O) over a six-month period (T)?” Here are some examples of well-formulated nursing PICOT questions across various nursing specialties: In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a low-carbohydrate diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect blood glucose levels (O) over a 3-month period (T)? For postoperative patients (P), does the use of music therapy (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce reported pain scores (O) within the first 24 hours after surgery (T)? In pregnant women with gestational diabetes (P), how does daily home blood glucose monitoring (I) compared to weekly clinic visits (C) affect the need for insulin therapy (O) during the third trimester (T)? These examples demonstrate how PICOT questions can be used to address specific clinical issues in nursing practice.

When creating PICOT questions, it’s important to avoid common mistakes such as:

• Being too broad or vague
• Including multiple interventions or outcomes
• Using terms that are difficult to measure
• Failing to specify a clear comparison

Remember, the goal is to create a question that will guide your research and help you find relevant evidence to improve nursing practice.

100 Useful PICO Questions for Nursing Research

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a low-carbohydrate diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect blood glucose levels (O) over 3 months (T)?
• For postoperative patients (P), does the use of music therapy (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce reported pain scores (O) within the first 24 hours after surgery (T)?
• In pregnant women with gestational diabetes (P), how does daily home blood glucose monitoring (I) compared to weekly clinic visits (C) affect the need for insulin therapy (O) during the third trimester (T)?
• For elderly patients with dementia (P), does a structured reminiscence therapy program (I) compared to standard care (C) improve cognitive function and quality of life (O) over 6 months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with asthma (P), how does a school-based education program (I) compared to standard care (C) affect the frequency of emergency room visits (O) over one school year (T)?
• For adult patients with hypertension (P), does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a low-sodium diet (C) lead to better blood pressure control (O) over 6 months (T)?
• In elderly patients at risk of falls (P), how does a tai chi program (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect balance and mobility (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• For patients with chronic pain (P), does cognitive behavioral therapy (I) compared to medication alone (C) improve pain management and quality of life (O) over 3 months (T)?
• In premature infants (P), how does kangaroo care (I) compared to standard incubator care (C) affect weight gain and bonding (O) during the first month of life (T)?
• For adult patients with depression (P), does regular aerobic exercise (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) improve mood and reduce symptoms (O) over 12 weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P), how does a pulmonary rehabilitation program (I) compared to standard medical management (C) affect exercise capacity and quality of life (O) over 6 months (T)?
• For women over 50 (P), does yearly mammogram screening (I) compared to biennial screening (C) improve early detection rates of breast cancer (O) over 10 years (T)?
• In adult patients with insomnia (P), how does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (I) compared to sleep medication (C) affect sleep quality and duration (O) over 3 months (T)?
• For patients undergoing chemotherapy (P), does the use of acupressure wristbands (I) compared to antiemetic medication alone (C) reduce the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting (O) during the first week of treatment (T)?
• In adolescents with obesity (P), how does a school-based physical activity program (I) compared to nutritional education alone (C) affect body mass index (BMI) and self-esteem (O) over one academic year (T)?
• For adult patients with heart failure (P), does a nurse-led home monitoring program (I) compared to routine clinic visits (C) reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (P), how does a computerized cognitive training program (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect cognitive function and daily living activities (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For patients with venous leg ulcers (P), does the application of honey dressings (I) compared to standard wound dressings (C) improve healing time and reduce infection rates (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (P), how does a low FODMAP diet (I) compared to a standard IBS diet (C) affect symptom severity and quality of life (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• For healthcare workers in high-stress environments (P), does a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce burnout rates and improve job satisfaction (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In patients with diabetic foot ulcers (P), how does negative pressure wound therapy (I) compared to standard wound care (C) affect healing time and amputation rates (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For adult patients with generalized anxiety disorder (P), does mindfulness meditation (I) compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms and improve daily functioning (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (P), how does a high-intensity resistance training program (I) compared to low-impact exercise (C) affect bone mineral density and fracture risk (O) over a 1-year period (T)?
• For patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a plant-based diet (I) compared to a standard renal diet (C) slow the progression of kidney disease and improve quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with sleep apnea (P), how does a weight loss program (I) compare to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy alone (C) affect sleep quality and daytime sleepiness (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For stroke survivors (P), does early mobilization within 24 hours (I) compared to standard care (C) improve functional outcomes and reduce hospital length of stay (O) at 3 months post-stroke (T)?
• In patients with fibromyalgia (P), how does aquatic exercise therapy (I) compared to land-based exercise (C) affect pain levels and overall physical function (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For adult patients with major depressive disorder (P), does bright light therapy (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) improve mood and sleep patterns (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• In elderly patients with urinary incontinence (P), how does pelvic floor muscle training (I) compared to medication therapy (C) reduce incontinence episodes and improve quality of life (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic low back pain (P), does yoga therapy (I) compared to physical therapy (C) improve pain intensity and functional ability (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with migraine headaches (P), how does a ketogenic diet (I) compared to standard migraine prophylaxis (C) affect the frequency and severity of migraine attacks (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For patients with peripheral arterial disease (P), does a supervised walking program (I) compared to medication therapy alone (C) improve walking distance and quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with metabolic syndrome (P), how does intermittent fasting (I) compared to a calorie-restricted diet (C) affect weight loss and metabolic markers (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For patients recovering from total knee replacement surgery (P), does early aquatic therapy (I) compared to land-based physical therapy (C) improve range of motion and reduce pain (O) during the first 6 weeks post-surgery (T)?
• In adult patients with psoriasis (P), how does a gluten-free diet (I) compared to standard psoriasis treatment (C) affect skin lesion severity and quality of life (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (P), does graded exercise therapy (I) compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (C) improve fatigue levels and physical functioning (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect liver fat content and liver enzyme levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (P), does tai chi (I) compared to traditional exercise therapy (C) improve joint flexibility and reduce pain (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with bipolar disorder (P), how does interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (I) compared to medication management alone (C) affect mood stability and social functioning (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic constipation (P), does abdominal massage (I) compared to laxative use (C) improve bowel movement frequency and quality of life (O) over a 4-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with asthma (P), how does a vitamin D supplementation regimen (I) compared to standard asthma treatment (C) affect the frequency of exacerbations and lung function (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with peripheral neuropathy (P), does acupuncture (I) compared to medication therapy (C) reduce pain and improve sensation (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In elderly patients with sarcopenia (P), how does a high-protein diet combined with resistance training (I) compared to standard care (C) affect muscle mass and strength (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with atrial fibrillation (P), does yoga therapy (I) compared to standard medical management (C) reduce episodes of arrhythmia and improve quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In patients with chronic sinusitis (P), how does nasal irrigation with saline solution (I) compared to standard medical therapy (C) affect symptom severity and quality of life (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with restless leg syndrome (P), does a regular exercise program (I) compared to medication therapy (C) reduce symptom severity and improve sleep quality (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (P), how does platelet-rich plasma therapy (I) compared to hyaluronic acid injections (C) affect pain relief and functional improvement (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with social anxiety disorder (P), does virtual reality exposure therapy (I) compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms and improve social functioning (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In patients with Parkinson’s disease (P), how does dance therapy (I) compared to traditional physical therapy (C) affect balance, gait, and quality of life (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with chronic insomnia (P), does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (I) compared to sleep medication (C) affect long-term sleep quality and medication dependence (O) over a 1-year period (T)?
• In pregnant women with gestational diabetes (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to standard diabetic diet (C) affect glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes (O) throughout the pregnancy (T)?
• For adult patients with PTSD (P), does eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (I) compared to cognitive processing therapy (C) reduce symptom severity and improve daily functioning (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease (P), how does a music therapy program (I) compared to standard care (C) affect cognitive function and mood (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic migraine (P), does botulinum toxin injections (I) compared to oral preventive medications (C) reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with metabolic syndrome (P), how does a high-intensity interval training program (I) compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise (C) affect insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with plantar fasciitis (P), does shockwave therapy (I) compared to corticosteroid injections (C) improve pain relief and foot function (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (P), how does acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) (I) compared to exposure and response prevention therapy (C) reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life (O) over a 16-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic wounds (P), does hyperbaric oxygen therapy (I) compared to standard wound care (C) accelerate wound healing and reduce the risk of amputation (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with non-specific low back pain (P), how does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to physical therapy (C) affect pain intensity and functional disability (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• For patients with type 1 diabetes (P), does continuous glucose monitoring (I) compared to traditional finger-stick monitoring (C) improve glycemic control and reduce hypoglycemic events (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with seasonal affective disorder (P), how does light therapy combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (I) compared to light therapy alone (C) affect depressive symptoms and remission rates (O) over a winter season (T)?
• For patients with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) (P), does hydro dilatation (I) compared to physical therapy (C) improve range of motion and reduce pain (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with alcohol use disorder (P), how does mindfulness-based relapse prevention (I) compared to traditional 12-step programs (C) affect abstinence rates and quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic neck pain (P), does dry needling therapy (I) compared to manual therapy (C) reduce pain intensity and improve neck function (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (P), how does a low glycemic index diet (I) compared to a standard weight loss diet (C) affect menstrual regularity and metabolic parameters (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (P), does alpha-lipoic acid supplementation (I) compared to standard medical therapy (C) reduce neuropathic pain and improve nerve function (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with a generalized anxiety disorder (P), how does a smartphone-based mindfulness app (I) compare to in-person mindfulness training (C) affect anxiety symptoms and daily stress levels (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P), does high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (I) compared to standard oxygen therapy (C) improve exercise capacity and quality of life (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (P), how does gut-directed hypnotherapy (I) compared to dietary interventions (C) affect symptom severity and psychological distress (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with knee osteoarthritis (P), does glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation (I) compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (C) reduce pain and improve joint function (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with major depressive disorder (P), how does transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) affect depression severity and remission rates (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic tension-type headaches (P), does acupuncture (I) compared to preventive medication (C) reduce headache frequency and intensity (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with metabolic syndrome (P), how does a ketogenic diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with fibromyalgia (P), does low-dose naltrexone therapy (I) compared to standard pain management (C) reduce pain intensity and improve overall quality of life (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with essential hypertension (P), how does intermittent fasting (I) compared to continuous calorie restriction (C) affect blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk factors (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (P), does pacing therapy (I) compared to graded exercise therapy (C) improve fatigue levels and physical functioning (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P), how does a probiotic supplement regimen (I) compare to lifestyle modifications alone (C) affect liver fat content and liver enzyme levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic pelvic pain (P), does pelvic floor physical therapy (I) compared to pain medication (C) reduce pain intensity and improve sexual function (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with treatment-resistant depression (P), how does ketamine infusion therapy (I) compared to electroconvulsive therapy (C) affect depression severity and remission rates (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• For patients with plantar fasciitis (P), does extracorporeal shockwave therapy (I) compared to corticosteroid injections (C) improve pain relief and foot function (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with generalized anxiety disorder (P), how does a digital cognitive behavioral therapy app (I) compared to in-person therapy (C) affect anxiety symptoms and quality of life (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (P), does nasal irrigation with xylitol solution (I) compared to saline irrigation (C) improve symptom scores and quality of life (O) over a 4-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a plant-based diet (I) compared to a conventional diabetic diet (C) affect glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy (P), does platelet-rich plasma injection (I) compared to corticosteroid injection (C) improve pain relief and shoulder function (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with social anxiety disorder (P), how does virtual reality exposure therapy (I) compared to in vivo exposure therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms and improve social functioning (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic low back pain (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (C) affect pain intensity and functional disability (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with atrial fibrillation (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a standard heart-healthy diet (C) affect the recurrence of arrhythmia and quality of life (O) over a 12-month period (T)?
• For patients with multiple sclerosis (P), does high-dose vitamin D supplementation (I) compared to standard of care (C) reduce relapse rates and improve neurological function (O) over 12 months (T)?
• In adult patients with insomnia (P), how does digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (I) compared to sleep hygiene education (C) affect sleep quality and daytime functioning (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• For patients with knee osteoarthritis (P), does tai chi (I) compared to physical therapy (C) improve pain relief and physical function (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with major depressive disorder (P), how does psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (I) compared to conventional antidepressant therapy (C) affect depression severity and remission rates (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic migraine (P), does neurofeedback training (I) compared to preventive medication (C) reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (P), how does fecal microbiota transplantation (I) compared to probiotic supplementation (C) affect symptom severity and quality of life (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) (P), does ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation (I) compared to corticosteroid injection (C) improve range of motion and reduce pain (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (P), how does neurofeedback therapy (I) compared to cognitive processing therapy (C) reduce symptom severity and improve daily functioning (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with diabetic foot ulcers (P), does hyperbaric oxygen therapy (I) compared to standard wound care (C) accelerate wound healing and reduce the risk of amputation (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with fibromyalgia (P), how does transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (I) compared to sham stimulation (C) affect pain intensity and cognitive function (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P), does singing therapy (I) compared to standard pulmonary rehabilitation (C) improve lung function and quality of life (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with treatment-resistant depression (P), how does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (I) compared to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (C) affect depression severity and cognitive function (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic tension-type headaches (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to relaxation therapy (C) reduce headache frequency and intensity (O) over an 8-week period (T)?

Good Nursing PICOT Question Examples

• In adult patients with chronic insomnia (P), how does cognitive behavioral therapy (I) compared to sleep medication (C) affect sleep quality and duration (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For patients undergoing chemotherapy (P), does the use of ginger supplements (I) compared to placebo (C) reduces the incidence and severity of nausea (O) during the first week of treatment (T)?
• In elderly patients at risk of falls (P), how does a multifactorial fall prevention program (I) compared to usual care (C) affect the incidence of falls and fall-related injuries (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a structured diabetes self-management education program (I) compared to standard care (C) affect glycemic control and self-efficacy (O) over a 12-month period (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), how does early mobilization (I) compared to standard care (C) affect the length of hospital stay and postoperative complications (O) within the first week after surgery (T)?
• For adult patients with chronic low back pain (P), how does a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (I) compared to physical therapy (C) affect pain intensity and functional disability (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• In pregnant women with gestational diabetes (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a standard diabetic diet (C) affect maternal and fetal outcomes (O) throughout pregnancy and at delivery (T)?
• For adult patients with heart failure (P), how does a nurse-led telehealth monitoring program (I) compared to usual care (C) affect hospital readmission rates and quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with major depressive disorder (P), how does aerobic exercise (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) affect depressive symptoms and overall well-being (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P), how does a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program (I) compared to center-based rehabilitation (C) affect exercise capacity and quality of life (O) over an 8-week period (T)?

Pediatrics Nursing PICOT Question Examples

• In children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (P), how does a family-centered education program (I) compared to standard patient education (C) affect glycemic control (O) in the first year after diagnosis (T)?
• For premature infants in the NICU (P), does kangaroo care (I) compared to standard incubator care (C) improve weight gain and reduce length of hospital stay (O) over the first month of life (T)?
• In adolescents with anxiety disorders (P), how does cognitive-behavioral therapy delivered via telemedicine (I) compared to in-person therapy (C) affect anxiety symptoms and treatment adherence (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For children with asthma (P), does a school-based asthma education program (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce emergency department visits and school absenteeism (O) over one academic year (T)?
• In obese children aged 7-12 (P), how does a family-based lifestyle intervention program (I) compared to standard nutritional counseling (C) affect BMI and health-related quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?

Nursing PICOT Question Examples for Diabetes

• In adults with prediabetes (P), how does a plant-based diet intervention (I) compared to standard dietary advice (C) affect the progression to type 2 diabetes (O) over a 2-year period (T)?
• For patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity (P), how does bariatric surgery (I) compared to intensive medical management (C) affect long-term glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors (O) over a 5-year period (T)?
• In adolescents with type 1 diabetes (P), how does continuous glucose monitoring with automated insulin delivery (I) compared to standard pump therapy (C) affect glycemic control and quality of life (O) over a 12-month period (T)?

Examples of PICOT Nursing Research Topics

• For ICU nurses (P), how does the implementation of a resilience training program (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect burnout rates and job satisfaction (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In hospitalized elderly patients (P), how does a nurse-led mobility program (I) compared to standard care (C) affect functional status and hospital-acquired complications (O) during the hospital stay (T)?
• For new graduate nurses (P), how does a structured mentorship program (I) compared to standard orientation (C) affect job satisfaction and retention rates (O) in the first year of employment (T)?

Nurse Burnout PICOT Question Examples

• In emergency department nurses (P), how does the implementation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect burnout scores and job retention rates (O) over a 1-year period (T)?
• For critical care nurses (P), how does the implementation of flexible scheduling (I) compared to traditional fixed scheduling (C) affect work-life balance and burnout levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?

Pain Management Nursing PICOT Question Examples

• For adult patients with chronic lower back pain (P), how does a combination of physical therapy and acupuncture (I) compared to physical therapy alone (C) affect pain intensity and functional ability (O) over a 3-month treatment period (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), how does music therapy (I) compared to standard pain management protocols (C) affect pain scores and opioid consumption (O) within the first 48 hours after surgery (T)?

Nursing PICOT Question Examples for Pregnancy

• In first-time pregnant women (P), how does participation in a prenatal yoga program (I) compared to standard prenatal care (C) affect labor duration and cesarean section rates (O) at delivery (T)?
• For pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes (P), how does early lifestyle intervention (I) compared to standard prenatal care (C) affect the incidence of gestational diabetes and maternal-fetal outcomes (O) throughout pregnancy (T)?

List of PICO Questions for Emergency Nursing

• In adult patients presenting to the ER with suspected acute coronary syndrome (P), how does the use of a high-sensitivity troponin test (I) compared to standard troponin testing (C) affect time to diagnosis and treatment initiation (O) within the first 4 hours of presentation (T)?
• For patients with sepsis in the emergency department (P), how does the implementation of a nurse-driven sepsis protocol (I) compared to physician-driven care (C) affect time to antibiotic administration and in-hospital mortality (O) during the hospital stay (T)?

Examples of Fall Prevention PICOT Questions

• In community-dwelling older adults (P), how does a home-based exercise program focusing on balance and strength (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect the incidence of falls (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For hospitalized elderly patients (P), how does hourly rounding by nursing staff (I) compared to standard care (C) affect fall rates and patient satisfaction (O) during the hospital stay (T)?

Nursing PICO Question Examples on Anxiety

• For adult patients undergoing elective surgery (P), how does preoperative mindfulness meditation training (I) compared to standard preoperative care (C) affect preoperative anxiety levels and postoperative pain scores (O) within the first 48 hours after surgery (T)?

Sample PICOT Question Example

• In adult patients with hypertension (P), how does a Mediterranean diet combined with regular exercise (I) compared to medication alone (C) affect blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk (O) over a 1-year period (T)?

PICOT Questions for Managing Hypertension in Patients

• For African American adults with hypertension (P), how does a culturally tailored diet and lifestyle intervention program (I) compared to standard hypertension education (C) affect blood pressure control and medication adherence (O) over a 6-month period (T)?

To develop some good PICOT questions researchers must recognize a need or a reason for the study. The search for high-quality clinical research evidence can be overwhelming to many. However, by utilizing the PICOT or PICO format researchers can streamline their research process. As result, one will be able to produce the best existing evidence to support clinical decisions and explore alternative treatments and procedures.

FAQs on Nursing PICOT questions examples

What are good picot questions for nursing.

Good PICOT questions for nursing are specific, measurable, and relevant to current nursing practice. They should clearly define the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time frame. Here are a few examples of good PICOT questions for nursing:

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a low-carbohydrate diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect blood glucose levels (O) over a 3-month period (T)?

These questions demonstrate clarity in defining the population, specifying the intervention and comparison, identifying measurable outcomes, and setting a clear timeframe.

What is an example of a PICO question?

Here’s an example of a well-structured PICO question:

“In adult patients with chronic insomnia (P), how does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (I) compared to sleep medication (C) affect sleep quality and duration (O) over a 3-month period (T)?”

This question clearly defines:

• Population (P): Adult patients with chronic insomnia
• Intervention (I): Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
• Comparison (C): Sleep medication
• Outcome (O): Sleep quality and duration
• Time (T): Over a 3-month period

What is an example of a PICO question for a school nurse?

Here’s an example of a PICO question relevant to school nursing:

“For children with asthma in elementary schools (P), does a school-based asthma education program (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce emergency department visits and school absenteeism (O) over one academic year (T)?”

This question addresses:

• Population (P): Children with asthma in elementary schools
• Intervention (I): School-based asthma education program
• Comparison (C): Standard care
• Outcome (O): Emergency department visits and school absenteeism
• Time (T): Over one academic year

This PICO question is particularly relevant for school nurses as it focuses on a common childhood condition and how a school-based intervention might improve health outcomes and school attendance.

What is an example of a PICOT question for a nursing shortage?

Here’s an example of a PICOT question addressing the nursing shortage:

“For new graduate nurses in acute care hospitals (P), how does a structured mentorship program (I) compared to standard orientation (C) affect job satisfaction and retention rates (O) in the first year of employment (T)?”

• Population (P): New graduate nurses in acute care hospitals
• Intervention (I): Structured mentorship program
• Comparison (C): Standard orientation
• Outcome (O): Job satisfaction and retention rates
• Time (T): First year of employment

This PICOT question is relevant to the nursing shortage as it focuses on strategies to improve job satisfaction and retention of new nurses, which are crucial factors in addressing the ongoing nursing shortage in many healthcare systems.

These examples demonstrate how PICOT questions can be formulated to address various aspects of nursing practice, from clinical interventions to workforce issues, providing a structured approach to investigating important nursing questions.

Post navigation

Previous post.

Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

Healing Through Knowledge

Evidence Based Practice

Pico(t) model & question types, example 1 - therapy, example 2 - diagnosis/diagnostic test, example 3 - etiology, example 4 - prognosis.

• Study Designs
• Finding Evidence & Information
• Critical Appraisal
• EBP vs Research vs QI
• Journal Club

PICO(T): Definitions and Examples

This model helps us create searchable clinical questions before we start looking at the literature. 

P - Population 

I - Intervention

C - Comparison or Control

O - Outcome (desired or of interest)

T- Time period  (ie. "Over six month period.." or "In three years...")

Question: In POPULATION, does INTERVENTION as compared to COMPARISON/CONTROL GROUP result in OUTCOME?

Keep in mind, you may not have all the pieces depending on your type of question, but it's a great jumping off point.

Scenario: You have a female patient who has recently been diagnosed with SLE. Her rheumatologist suggested she start on Plaquenil for her joint pain, but she is interested in alternative therapies because she heard about success a neighbor had with turmeric tea.

P- patients with SLE

I- turmeric tea

C- Plaquenil (standard drug therapy)

O- reduction of joint pain

Question: In adult patients with SLE, is consuming turmeric tea more effective than Plaquenil at reducing joint pain?

This question could be more specific (Gender specific? What counts as a reduction in joint pain?), but is still a therapy question. We're comparing an alternative therapy (turmeric tea) with a more standard drug therapy (Plaquenil). 

Scenario: Your patient has a history of blood clots and after they came in to your clinic with right calf discomfort and tightness, you're concerned about DVT. You remember reading about the limitations of duplex ultrasound and calfveins, and are wondering if a d-dimer assay can help you rule out DVT more accurately. 

I- d-dimer assay

C- ultrasound

O- more accurate diagnosis of DVT

Question: Is d ‐ dimer assay more accurate at ruling out deep vein thrombosis compared to ultrasound?

Scenario: Your female patient is concerned about her risk of developing breast cancer. Her friend was recently diagnosed, and mentioned that her smoking might have been a factor. Your patient and her wife have lived together for 10 years, and while she doesn't smoke, her partner does. Is she at an increased risk over someone without daily exposure to second-hand smoke?

P- female non smokers w/ daily second hand smoke exposure

C- female non smokers w/o daily smoke exposure

O- develop breast cancer

T-  over ten years

Question: Are female non-smokers with daily exposure to second-hand smoke over a period of ten years or greater more likely to develop breast cancer when compared with female non-smokers without daily exposure to second hand smoke?

Scenario: Your patient, who owns a bakery, recently participated in their employer's wellness program. Their BMI is within a normal range, but they have a family history of obesity, and are concerned about the impact carbs may have on maintaining a healthy weight.

P- pts w/ family history of obesity

I- carb intake; specific diet? 

O- keeping BMI below 25; healthy weight management

Question:  Does dietary carbohydrate intake influence healthy weight maintenance (BMI <25) in patients who have family history of obesity (BMI >30)?

• << Previous: Evidence Based Practice
• Next: Study Designs >>
• Last Updated: Aug 5, 2024 4:10 PM
• URL: https://guides.hsl.virginia.edu/EBP

School of Nursing

• What is EBP?

Background vs. Foreground

Pico examples, asking different types of questions, pico resources & worksheet.

• Evidence Appraisal
• Clinical Tools and Databases
• Other Resources

Evidence based practice requires that clinicians make use of the best research they can find to help them in decision-making. To find that research efficiently, the clinician must ask a well-designed clinical question with all the elements that will lead to finding relevant research literature.

The first step in doing this is to determine the type of question: background or foreground. The type of question helps to determine the resource to access to answer the question.

Background questions ask for general knowledge about a condition or thing.

• Broaden the scope - "The Forest"
• Provides basics for a a greater grasp of concepts
• Typically found in textbooks, guidelines, point-of-care monographs, encyclopedias, or topic reviews
• A question root (who, what, when, etc.) with a verb
• A disorder, test, treatment, or other aspect of healthcare

The background question is usually asked because of the need for basic information. It is not normally asked because of a need to make a clinical decision about a specific patient.

Foreground questions ask for specific knowledge to inform clinical decisions or actions.

• Focused in scope - "The Trees"
• Requires a grasp of basic concepts to fully comprehend
• Typically found in journals and conference proceedings
• Have 3 or 4 essential components (see PICO below)

PICO is a mnemonic used to describe the four elements of a good clinical foreground question:

P = Population/Patient/Problem - How would I describe the problem or a group of patients similar to mine?

I = Intervention - What main intervention, prognostic factor or exposure am I considering?

C = Comparison - Is there an alternative to compare with the intervention?

O = Outcome - What do I hope to accomplish, measure, improve or affect?

 Fill in the blanks with information from your clinical scenario: THERAPY In_______________, what is the effect of ________________on _______________ compared with _________________?

PREVENTION For ___________ does the use of _________________ reduce the future risk of ____________ compared with ______________? DIAGNOSIS OR DIAGNOSTIC TEST Are (Is) ________________ more accurate in diagnosing _______________ compared with ____________? PROGNOSIS Does ____________ influence ______________ in patients who have _____________? ETIOLOGY Are ______________ who have _______________ at ______________ risk for/of ____________ compared with _____________ with/without______________? MEANING How do _______________ diagnosed with _______________ perceive __________________? Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice . Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

• PubMed PICO Tool
• TRIP Database PICO Builder
• PICO Worksheet
• << Previous: What is EBP?
• Next: CINAHL >>
• Last Updated: Oct 4, 2024 1:09 PM
• URL: https://libguides.ohsu.edu/nursing

Evidence-Based Practice: PICO(T) for Clinical Questions

• Introduction to EBP
• PICO(T) for Clinical Questions
• 3. Appraise
• Study Design
• Resources about EBP

Creating a Clinical Question: PICO / PICOTS

PICO  is an acronym that can help you create a well-built clinical question by identifying the key aspects of a complex patient presentation. 

• Patient or Population or Problem  The disease or condition you are investigating, and the particular demographic you are wanting to learn about (if applicable)
• I ntervention or Indicator  Primary treatment option
• Comparison or Control  Comparison treatment (if applicable)
• Outcome What you you expect to see?
• Timeline**:  Time it takes to demonstrate a clinical outcome or how long patients are observed.
• Study Type:  What kind of study would best answer this question (i.e., RCT, Case Series, etc.). Rather than using keywords in your search strategy, you can often use filters to limit to specific study types / designs. ** Note that the timeframe does not always show up in the abstract. If you aren't getting enough results, you may need to remove this from your search, and just eliminate results that don't fit your preferred timeframe in the Prisma screening section.

Want to see an example in action? Check out the video below, or scroll down to see an example of how to transform a PICOT question into a search strategy.

PICO example begins at the 4:43 mark.

PICOT Example

Patient or Problem = hypertension

KEYWORDS: hypertension, high blood pressure, hypertensive

Intervention = telemonitoring blood pressure

KEYWORDS: telemonitor, telemedicine, MeSH term is “Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory”

Comparison = n/a

Outcome = improve blood pressure

MeSH term is “Blood Pressure” (but if you are using terms for “telemonitoring blood pressure ,” this is unnecessary).

Timeframe = within one year

one year, twelve months (searching for timeframes can be tricky -- this won't find studies that were  less  than 12 months! If your results are too limited, you can try removing this from your search).

Potential search strategy:

or if you search everything in a single line:

What NOT to Do

"Table 1" is from:

Gallagher Ford, L., & Melnyk, B. M. (2019). The Underappreciated and Misunderstood PICOT Question: A Critical Step in the EBP Process. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(6), 422–423. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12408

Helpful Resources

• PICO Tutorial from University of Washington
• Johns Hopkins EBP Question Development Tool Worksheet to help EBP teams develop an question that will answer a clinical, administrative, or knowledge problem.
• PICOT Worksheet This worksheet will help you build a PICOT question and identify keywords for your searchable question.
• Pubmed Clinical Queries This tool uses predefined filters to help you quickly refine PubMed searches on clinical or disease-specific topics.
• The Underappreciated and Misunderstood PICOT Question: A Critical Step in the EBP Process
• << Previous: 1. Ask
• Next: 2. Acquire >>
• Last Updated: Oct 17, 2024 9:43 AM
• URL: https://researchguides.gonzaga.edu/EBP

• Reynolds Libraries
• Research Guides
• PICO Format
• Scope/Overview
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Finding Books
• Finding Articles
• Database Tutorials
• Online Videos
• Web Resources
• APA Style 7th Edition This link opens in a new window
• Citing UpToDate in APA Style
• HESI Test Prep
• Off-Campus Access
• HESI Mid-Curricular Entrance Exam Prep
• TEAS Test Prep - for Jan. 2025-Future Testing

Reference Librarian

EMAIL: [email protected]

CALL: Downtown : 804.523.5211 Parham: 804.523.5220 Goochland : 804.523.5419

What does PICO Stand For:

What does PICO mean?

The first stage of any evidence-based practice process is formulating an answerable question. This forms the foundation for quality searching. A well-formulated question will facilitate the search for evidence and will assist you in determining whether the evidence is relevant to your question.

• PICO a model for evidence based research This tutorial from Binghamton University Libraries will teach you to use PICO, a model that outlines your clinical research question.

Forming a PICO question?

This tutorial discusses background and foreground questions and how to convert a clinical scenario into a PICO foreground question.

Search the Literature

Do a limited literature search using your identified PROBLEM/PATIENT/POPULATION and your INTERVENTION using these:

CINAHL Complete (a Reynolds Library Database)

UpToDate (a Reynolds Library Database)

www.Cochrane.org (a website that gathers and summarizes the best evidence from research to help you make informed choices about treatment)

• << Previous: Web Resources
• Next: APA Style 7th Edition >>
• Last Updated: Oct 10, 2024 9:58 AM
• Web address for this page:: https://libguides.reynolds.edu/nursing

• Learn How to Use the Library
• Providers & Employees
• Research Help
• All Research Guides

NRS 302 - Nursing Research

Pico questions.

• Creating Search Strategies
• Finding Evidence
• APA Style (7th ed.)

PICO questions are a tool used to help you

• Assess your situation or problem. What does your patient need? What is their clinical problem or question?
• Construct a well-built question based on your assessment.
• Search the evidence.

Watch the video and review the examples below to help you develop a PICO question to guide your research proposal.

Download the PICO Question Generator worksheet for a guide:

• PICO Question Generator

Case Example

Rita is an RN who works in a nursing home. One of her patients complains of arthritic pain that is worsening. Her medication doesn't seem to be helping. Rita wonders whether massage therapy would present an effective means of treatment for her patient.

Before Rita can look for sources of literature on the subject, she needs to form a question that will:

• Address all the elements of the problem
• Yield relevant results

Constructing the Question using PICO

The PICO format helps you form an answerable questions that identifies the patient problem, the treatments or tests that are being considered, any alternative treatments or tests (if any), and the desired outcome of the treatment(s).

P = Patient or Problem: Who is your patient? What patient population do they belong to? Are there problems endemic to this population?

I = Intervention or Exposure: Which intervention or treatments are you going to research? What do you want for the patient (a prescription, a test, surgery, etc.)?

C = Comparison or Control: What is the main alternative to compare with the intervention? Is your patient already receiving an intervention? Or none at all (control)?

O = Outcome: What do you hope to accomplish, improve, or achieve? What are you trying to do for the patient?

Case Example Revisited

After assessing the problem and constructing a question using the PICO format, Rita comes up with the following question:

P = Geriatric patients with arthritic pain

I = Massage therapy

C = Patient's prescribed NSAID or similar anti-inflammatory drugs

O = Reduced arthritic pain

Complete clinical question: Do geriatric patients with arthritis who receive regular massage therapy have lessened arthritic pain compared to those that do not?

Another Example

Let's look at another example. You're working with an elderly client who is in a nursing home and experiencing social isolation. You're interested in exploring options to help them cope and connect with their loved ones. While doing some quick background research, you discover the potential for digital communication technology to have an impact on social isolation. Before you can proceed with this, you need to find evidence to support your decision, so forming a PICO question will help you effectively search for relevant literature.

Using what we know from our scenario, let's break it down:

• P:  nursing home residents (population) with social isolation (problem)
• I:  videoconference program with family (intervention to be explored)
• C:  normal family visitation at the nursing home (comparison to the new intervention)
• O:  lessened social isolation (our ideal outcome)

If we piece these components into a complete question, it might sound something like this:

Would a videoconference program (I) improve social isolation (O) amongst nursing home residents (P) compared with traditional visitation (C)?

• << Previous: Home
• Next: Creating Search Strategies >>
• Last Updated: Jan 26, 2023 1:26 PM
• URL: https://aultman.libguides.com/nrs302

Aultman Health Sciences Library

Aultman Education Center, C2-230, 2600 Sixth St SW, Canton, OH 44710  |  330-363-5000   |  [email protected]

• Research Databases
• Research Databases for Finding Articles
• Searching the CINAHL Database
• Building a Search Strategy
• Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
• Articles in Nursing Journals
• Accessing Full-Text Articles
• Print Books and E-Books
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Drugs & Medications
• Nursing Process
• Patient Case Review
• What is EBP?
• PICO(T) Questions

What is a PICO(T) Question?

Pico(t) question templates, ideas for your pico(t) question, tips for building a pico(t) question, example: pico(t) question and search strategy.

• Pre-Appraised Sources of Evidence
• Outcome Measurement Tools
• Nursing Theory
• Concept Maps
• APA 7th Edition Style
• Writing Resources
• Predatory Journals and Publishers
• Poster Presentation Guidance, Templates, & Tips
• Exam Preparation
• Continuing Nursing Education
• Critical Appraisal Resources for Nursing Research & EBP
• DNP Evidence-Based Practice Project: Library Resources This link opens in a new window
• MSN Capstone: Library Resources This link opens in a new window
• NURS 1000: Nursing Orientation (Pre-Nursing) This link opens in a new window
• NURS 3030: Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (BSN) This link opens in a new window
• NURS 4610: Translating Evidence for Nursing Practice (RN-BSN) This link opens in a new window
• NURS 5910 (MSN) & 7910 (DNP): Advanced Nursing Research
• NURS 7030: Quality Management and Performance Improvement in Health Care Organizations This link opens in a new window
• NURS 7040: Applied Nursing Research (DNP)

Asking questions is at the heart of evidence-based practice.

If nurses never asked questions about how to improve patient care based on scientific research evidence, then no beneficial changes or advancements in nursing practice would occur. Cultivating a spirit of inquiry is essential for evidence-based practice implementation.

The  PICO(T) model  is used widely in evidence-based practice to construct a focused, well-built, and searchable clinical question. This page provides you with the following content to guide you in developing a PICO(T) question of your own:

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a systematic approach to patient care decision-making based on current, best available research evidence. 

The first step in EBP involves re-phrasing a clinical patient care issue in the form of a focused, searchable, and answerable question . 

PICO(T)  is a basic template for creating a well-built clinical question for evidence-based inquiry.

P - Patient/Population/Problem

I - Intervention/Variable of Interest

C - Comparison (can be "standard care" or "usual care", or the opposite of I - "no meditation," "no exposure to smoke", etc.)

O - Outcome(s)

In _____ (P), what is the effect of _____ (I), compared with _____ (C), on _____ (O) within _____ (T)?

There are several templates for developing a PICO(T) question, depending on the nature of your clinical problem.

See the Template for Asking PICO(T) Questions document for examples. 

Identifying a clinical problem that can be translated into a PICO(T) question takes some brainstorming, research, and planning.

The following recommendations can help in triggering ideas for your PICO(T) question:

Problem-Focused or Practice-Focused Triggers:

• Patient cases you have encountered
• Clinical scenarios you have observed
• Quality improvement data
• Other internal data specific to your organization

Knowledge-Focused Triggers:

• Conduct a search of the research literature to identify problems or practice recommendations
• Identify interventions that have been proven effective by previous studies
• Clinical practice guidelines recommendations

Titler, M. G., Kleiber, C., Steelman, V. J., Rakel, B. A., Budreau, G., Everett, L. Q., et al. (2001). The Iowa model of evidence-based practice to promote quality care.  Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America ,  13 (4), 497-509.

Need some inspiration for PICO(T) questions?

Helpful web resources for PICO(T) question ideas can be accessed below: 

• PICO Questions [from University of Kansas Medical Center] This site provides examples by patient care setting under the "PICO Question Examples" section
• Johns Hopkins - EBP Exemplar Library Explore this database of EBP projects completed by clinicians. Many of these projects include good examples of PICOT questions.
• UToledo DNP Student EBP Projects Access and read the full-text of UToledo DNP students' EBP projects. The PICOT questions utilized in these projects may provide you with inspiration and ideas for your own PICOT.
• Ohio State DNP Final Projects Access and read the full-text of OSU DNP students' EBP projects. The PICOT questions utilized in these projects may provide you with inspiration and ideas for your own PICOT.

PICO(T) Question Example: 

"In adult cancer patients experiencing fatigue (P), what is the effect of meditation (I), compared with standard care (C), on quality of life (O) within 6 months (T)?" 

Building a Database Search Strategy for the PICO(T) Question: 

• A well-built PICO(T) question forms the basis of a database search strategy for finding research literature.
• Concepts from the PICO(T) question are used to construct a comprehensive database search strategy with search terms describing each relevant component of the PICO(T). 
• Relevant elements of your PICO(T) question can be used to develop an initial list of keywords (including synonyms) to use in a database search. The most important parts of a PICO(T) question for searching are the P, I, and O. 
• After developing a list of search terms, you can then begin brainstorming your search strategy for combining terms with OR or AND (this is called Boolean logic ), and using other techniques such as truncation (i.e. a keyword search for  letharg* will also find articles with the term lethargic or lethargy ) or quotes (i.e. a keyword search for "guided imagery" will find articles with that exact phrase)
• VIDEO TUTORIAL:   PICO(T) Question & CINAHL Search Tutorial ( this video, originally created for DNP students, but applicable to all nursing students, demonstrates how to perform a database search for evidence to support a PICOT question using the CINAHL database as an example )

• << Previous: What is EBP?
• Next: Pre-Appraised Sources of Evidence >>
• Last Updated: Sep 13, 2024 9:28 AM
• URL: https://libguides.utoledo.edu/nursing

• Jacksonville University
• Swisher Library
• Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences

NUR 354: Evidence-Based Nursing

• PICO Template & Guides
• Evidenced Based Nursing - PICO Method
• Using PICO to Structure Your Literature Search
• PICO Databases & Clinical Questions
• Literature Review
• Research Types
• Documenting EBP
• Additional Sources
• Search PubMed
• Search MedLine
• Systematic Reviews Support
• Digital Collections This link opens in a new window

Examples of PICO Questions

The following resources may be helpful as you develop your PICO question(s).

• Asking Focused Questions This website from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (University of Oxford) provides quick tips and examples for developing focused questions.
• EBP Tutorial (Duke University) This guide walks you through the steps of EBP from PICO development to appraisal.
• Examples of PICO Questions (PDF download) This worksheet from Sonoma State University can help you structure your PICO question.
• Well-Built PICO Questions Template (PDF download) Practice developing your PICO questions with this template from Duke University Medical Center.
• << Previous: PICO Databases & Clinical Questions
• Next: Literature Review >>
• Last Updated: Jul 11, 2024 3:01 PM