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 Show Me The Evidence.
Your patient has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and you wonder how switching to a low-FODMAP diet may affect her symptoms.
P = Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
I = low-FODMAP diet
C = regular diet
O = IBS symptoms
"In patients with IBS, how does adhering to a low-FODMAP diet affect IBS symptoms?"
You are working with a patient who has Type 2 Diabetes and is overweight. They have asked you whether it would be better for them to follow an intermittent fasting diet or just restrict calorie intake to lose weight.
P = Type 2 Diabetes
I = intermittent fasting
C = calorie restriction
O = weight loss
"In patients with Type 2 Diabetes, how does intermittent fasting compare with calorie restriction in affecting weight loss?"