ABS 394 Veterinary Topics
Formulate your Question with PICO
In evidence-based practice, formulating a clear research question is crucial. The PICO framework: Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome is one of the most widely used tools for this purpose.
The image is a visual representation of the PICO framework, used in evidence-based practice to formulate clinical research questions. It consists of four columns, each topped with a colored circle containing a letter: P (burgundy circle), I (orange circle), C (burgundy circle), and O (yellow circle). These letters stand for Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome, respectively. Below each circle is a corresponding description box with a title and a brief explanation. The titles and explanations are enclosed in color-coded rectangles matching the circle colors.
PICO
P - PATIENT, POPULATION OR PROBLEM
What are the characteristics of the patient or population (i.e. age, education level, ethnicity, gender, socio economic status, inpatient/outpatient)? What is the condition or disease you are interested in?
I - INTERVENTION OR EXPOSURE
What do you want to do with this patient (i.e. treat, diagnose, observe)?
C - COMPARISON
What is the alternative to the intervention (i.e. placebo, different drug, surgery)?
O - OUTCOME
What are the relevant outcomes (i.e. morbidity, death, complications)?