What is PICO?
PICO is a format for developing a good clinical research question prior to starting one’s research. It is a mnemonic device used to describe the four elements of a clinical question. The question needs to identify the patient or population you intend to study (P), the intervention or treatment you plan to use (I), the comparison of one intervention to another (if applicable) (C), and the outcome you anticipate (O).
These make up the four elements of the PICO model:
- Patient, Population, or Problem
- Intervention
- Comparison
- Outcome
Reference
Jensen, K. (2018). Evidence-based Nursing Practice: Seven Steps to the Perfect PICO Search [White paper]. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/sites/g/files/nabnos191/files/acquiadam-assets/7-Steps-to-the-Perfect-PICO-Search-White-Paper.pdf
Formulating a PICO Question
Research question:
"Are text message reminders effective at increasing antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV-positive adults?"
Here's the same research question in PICO format:
P (Patient) - HIV-positive adults
I (Intervention) - Text message reminders
C (Comparison) - No text message reminders
O (Outcome) - Increased antiretroviral medication adherence
Notice that the comparison above is the lack of the intervention.
Plan Your Search Strategy
Next, identify the key terms to search in the database from each element. You may also want to brainstorm synonyms or alternative terms that could be used in addition to the term you first thought of.
| PICO |
Research Question Elements |
Keywords to Search |
Synonyms or alternative terms |
| P |
HIV-positive adults |
HIV-positive adults |
|
| I |
Text message reminders |
text message reminders |
texting or texts or text messages or text messaging |
| C |
No text message reminders |
None |
|
| O |
Increased antiretroviral medication adherence |
antiretroviral medication adherence |
|
Searching CINAHL
In the advanced search view in CINAHL, you can enter in each PICO element in its own search field.
When entering in each element, add alternate terms to the search box using or. Once you start typing, the database may suggest common alternate terms.
If you are using another database, such as ProQuest Nursing, you can conduct a similar search although the layout will be different.
Searching PubMed
In PubMed, enter your search into one search box. Do not include any alternate terms, and do not include age. (Age is best narrowed down in the results afterwards using the filters.) PubMed automatically applies alternate terms to your search.
For more information on using PubMed, check out the PubMed tutorial videos on the Find Articles page of this LibGuide.
