The key to finding appropriate evidence is to ask a searchable, answerable question. The PICO framework is often used as a guide for asking clinical questions.
| P = patient, problem, population |
| I = intervention |
| C = comparison intervention, control |
| O = outcome(s) |
Have you noticed resources that refer to PICOT instead of PICO? Some EBP experts add T to the standard PICO framework. The T usually stands for time and can be helpful in making sure you're thinking of the appropriate time frame for your intervention and/or outcomes.
Video created by Binghamton University Libraries. This video is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
You have noticed an increase in patients with dental anxiety and have heard that music therapy can possibly help.
P = patients with dental anxiety
I = music therapy
C = no music therapy
O = reduced dental anxiety
"In patients with dental anxiety, does using music therapy, as compared to not using music therapy, reduce dental anxiety?"
You have a patient who has sensitive teeth but also wants to do some whitening. She asks you what level of hydorgen peroxide in the whitening agent she should use.
P = Whitening
I = 4% hydrogen peroxide
C = 10% hydrogen peroxide
O = Tooth Sensitivity
"In patients with tooth sensitivity undergoing tooth whitening, how does a product with 4% hydrogen peroxide compare with 10% hydrogen peroxide in affecting tooth sensitivity?"
A patient has frequent cavities and wants to know if chewing with xylitol gum might help prevent future cavities.
P = Cavity
I = Xylitol Gum
C = No Gum
O = Future Cavities
"In patients with frequent cavities, how does chewing xylitol gum affect possible future cavities?"