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
O = outcomes
Have you noticed resources that refer to PICOT instead of PICO? Many 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 asks if it is really necessary to have an xray to determine if they have a cavity.
P = Patient with a possible cavity
I = xray
C = no xray; using dental tools
O = accurate cavity diagnosis
"In patients with a possible cavity, are xrays more or less accurate than dental tools when diagnosing a cavity?"
A patient has a cavity in one of their wisdom teeth and wants to know if it is possible to keep the tooth.
P = Wisdom tooth cavity
I = Fill the tooth
C = Pull the tooth
O = Overall oral health
"In patients with a cavity in a wisdom tooth, how does filling the cavity compared to pulling the tooth effect long term oral health?"