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Nursing

Using PICO as a search strategy

The PICO process is a method to help you frame a clinical research question at the beginning of your research. It is part of evidence-based practice.

Once you have formulated your PICO question, you can use elements of the question to search our databases for literature. For in-depth instruction on searching our databases, please see How to Search.

Example PICO Question

PICO or PICOT (with the addition of time frame) provides a systematic framework to help you identify the elements of a clinical question.

PICO Elements

Population/Problem - Who or what are you trying to study?
Intervention- What action are you going to take?
Comparison - What action are you comparing your intervention to?
Outcome- What is the anticipated or hypothesized result?

Example Question

Among hospitalized patients, what is the effect of a transitional care program compared to routine discharge planning on thirty-day readmission rates over a 6-month period?

Applying PICO Framework
Among (P) hospitalized patients
what is the effect of (I) a transitional care program
compared to (C) routine discharge planning
on (O) thirty-day readmission rates
over a (T) 6-month period

PICO Keywords

Now that we have a question, we can work on identifying keywords. Keep in mind, not all elements of the PICO will be used in your search. Starting with the P and I will help you keep your search broad in the beginning.

Example Search Strategy

In hospital nurses, does antibacterial foam decrease bacteria count on hands as much as hand washing with soap and water?

PICO Elements Key Concepts Possible Search Terms
P (Patient/Population/Problem) hospital nurses health personnel, nurses, nursing
I (Intervention) using antibacterial foam hand sanitizer, hand hygiene
C (Comparison) hand washing with soap and water handwashing
O (Outcome) decreased bacteria count infection prevention, bacterial colonization

 

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