Communication Disorders Research Guide

What does PICO mean?

The first stage of any evidence-based practice process is formulating an answerable question. This forms the foundation for quality searching. A well-formulated question will facilitate the search for evidence and will assist you in determining whether the evidence is relevant to your question.

An answerable question has a format that follows the PICO concept. The acronym translates to:
P (patient/population/problem) I (intervention/indicator) C (comparison/control) O (Outcome)

P – Populations/People/Patient/Problem
What are their most important characteristics?

• primary problem
• disease state
• co-existing condition

Describe your patient specifically:

• Sex
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Socioeconomic factors

ALWAYS include this piece in your search.

I – Intervention(s)

What do you want to do for the patient?

• Order a test
• Prescribe a drug
• Order a procedure

Other considerations:

• Main intervention
• Prognostic factors
• Exposures

Almost always include this piece in your search.

C – Comparison

What is the alternate intervention, if any?

• A different drug
• No medication
• A Placebo
• A different test
• A different procedure

It is less common to include this piece in a search.

O – Outcome

What are you hoping to achieve, measure, or change for the patient?

• Alleviate symptoms
• Improve test results
• Reduce adverse events
• Improve function

Could also be the result NOT desired.
Sometimes include this piece in your search.

Examples:

• PICO Worksheet and Search Strategy (completed form)
• PICO Worksheet and Search Strategy (blank form)
• College of Health Professionals' EBP Portal from Wichita State University Libraries

Sources:
Purdue University Libraries, Evidence-Based Practice LibGuide
UT Health San Antonio Library, Speech-Language Pathology LibGuide

Pyramid modified from: Navigating the Maze, University of Virginia, Health Sciences Library 
Source: Health Sciences Library, University of Washington