PICO Question Examples

Picot is a wordplay that can assist to create a clinical question and direct the search for obtaining evidence. The PICOT question is made in a formula (format) of creating re-searchable and answerable inquiry. Writing such a question appears simple, but may not be easy as it seems. When a research or a person writes appropriate question, it builds the entire process of researching and determining evidence becomes simple and direct. Obtaining appropriate outcome helps the process of looking for evidence.

Examples of PICOT questions are illustrated below

In patients aging 45 years and above (P), how does the application of an influenza vaccine (I) related (compared) to not obtaining the vaccine © influence the possibility of contracting pneumonia (O) during the period of flu season (T)?

Are children (P) who are taken care by obese adoptive guardians or parents (I) at more risk of being affected by obesity (O) related to children (P) without obese adoptive guardians or parents © during the ages between 5 and 18 (T)?

The Above examples illustrate how a question can be constructed by applying the PICOT format and determines how it affects the research for outcomes and evidence.

Formulating a PICOT Question

Example 1

In hospitalized critically ill patients (P), how does turning and repositioning every two to four hours (I) compared to the use of pressure redistributing support surfaces (C) prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers?(O)

P: Critically ill patients
I: Turning & repositioning 2-4 hours
C: Pressure redistributing support surfaces
O: Prevention of pressure ulcers

The purpose of this study is to assess which intervention best prevents pressure ulcers in critically ill patients.