PICO(T) Question
In the nursing field, it is accepted practice to formulate our research questions using the PICO(T) question. This page offers a guide to the different parts of the PICO(T) question as well as how to start developing one on your own!
Population (P) – what individual or group are we interested in studying?
Intervention (I) – what is the action (intervention, treatment, etc.) we are considering taking?
Comparison (C) – to what other action (intervention, treatment, etc.) are we comparing the considered action?
Outcome (O) – what do we anticipate as the outcome?
Time (T) – how long will it take to reach the outcome?
- Note: not all PICO(T) questions require the "TIME" component
Potential PICO(T) Question Formats
In__[Population]__, how does __[Intervention]__ compared to __[Comparison]__ affect __[Outcome]__ within __[Time]__ ?
In__[Population]__, how does __[Intervention]__ compared to __[Comparison]__ influence/predict __[Outcome]__ over __[Time]__ ?
In__[Population]__, are/is __[Intervention]__ compared with __[Comparison]__ more accurate in diagnosing __[Outcome]__?
Are __[Population]__, who have __[Intervention]__ compared with those without __[Comparison]__ at risk for/of __[Outcome]__ over __[Time]__ ?
Sample PICO Question
Scenario: A committee decides to conduct a case study to determine whether postoperative gum chewing for abdominal surgery patients can prevent postoperative ileus (lack of intestinal movement).
- P – Patients recovering from abdominal surgery
- I – Gum chewing
- C – Not chewing gum
- O – Impacts post-operative ileus
PICO Question: “In patients recovering from abdominal surgery, is there evidence that suggests gum-chewing postoperatively, compared to not chewing gum, impacts postoperative ileus?”
