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Scottsdale Community College Library

PICO  

formulating a clinical question
Last Updated: Oct 1, 2010 URL: http://library.scottsdalecc.edu/PICO Print Guide RSS UpdatesShareThis

Introduction Print Page
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What is PICO?

PICO is a format for developing  a good clinical research question prior to doing research. It consists of the four elements outlined in the chart below.  The table uses the question: Are LED lights as effective in treating jaundice in newborns as other light sources?
 

 

 

 

Search Terms in Natural Language

Search terms using CINAHL Headings

P

Patient

Problem

Population

 

Patient or patient group (gender, race, age)

Disease or condition

Stage of the illness

Care setting

 

Jaundice in newborns

 

Jaundice, neonatal

 or

 Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal

I

Intervention

 

Type of treatment :drug, procedure, therapy

Intervention level: dosage, frequency

Stage of intervention: preventative, early, advanced

Delivery: who, where?

 

Blue light therapy

Phototherapy

C

Comparison

 

Alternative(s) to compare with the intervention: two drugs, a drug and no medication or a placebo, surgery or no surgery, a different diagnostic test

 

LEDs

or

Light Emitting Diodes

 

O

Outcome

 

Improvement of symptoms, healing

Side effects

Improved quality of life

Cost effectiveness and benefits

 

 

Improvement

 
Description

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